Get an inside look at animal care, meet some of your favorite animals, and learn about the Zoo’s efforts to protect endangered species!
Each tour is a private experience for your group. Check out the descriptions below to learn more about select opportunities.
Galapagos Tortoise Backstage
Meet some of the oldest and youngest Riverbanks residents! Walk out on to their habitats to say shello to each of these individuals and learn about their amazing history. Each guest will also have the opportunity to touch and feed these giant tortoises.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Giraffe Backstage
Meet some of the tallest mammals in the world! Discover the distinctive characteristics of giraffes and learn about the care they receive at Riverbanks. Each guest will have the opportunity to get a giraffe’s eye view of the world and even feed one of our gentle giants a leafy lunch.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.
Gorilla Backstage
Join us as we explore what goes into the upstanding animal care provided to Patrick, our bachelor male gorilla, and our meerkat mob. This tour will include a behind the scenes look at Patrick’s daily training while learning more about gorilla conservation efforts across the world. Before wrapping up this adventure, participants will help build enrichment for our playful meerkat mob.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 5 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. KN95 masks and closed toed shoes are required for this experience. Mask will be provided by Riverbanks staff. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Grizzly Bear Backstage
Head behind the scenes for an im-paws-ibly fun afternoon. Meet our grizzly, Butch, as the animal care staff demonstrate how they safely train this incredible animal. Help prepare an afternoon snack for Butch and snap some photos of this unforgettable experience.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and a few stairs.
Penguin Backstage
Join Riverbanks’ penguin colony for a chilly backstage encounter. Learn all about our different penguins before bundling up to head behind the scenes. Get a cool view of these flightless birds while our keepers feed them their midday snack.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 5 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.
Radiated Tortoise Backstage
Looking to get out of your shell? Join us on an adventure full of shell scratches as we meet Riverbanks Radiated Tortoise residents face-to-face. Make sure to bring along a camera to capture this memorable experience.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 5 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is ADA-accessible.
Rhino Backstage
Join us behind the scenes to meet the second largest land mammal in the world! On this rhino-riffic tour, you’ll get the opportunity to explore our rhino barn, come face-to-face with our rhino residents, and learn all about how Riverbanks cares for these gentle giants.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain and will involve climbing a flight of stairs.
Sea Lion Backstage
Experience Sea Lion Landing like never before — and maybe get your feet a little wet. See the inner workings of the habitat, help our keepers prepare the morning diet, and then join the animal care staff for a training demonstration. This memorable tour will definitely get your seal of approval.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
This Backstage opportunity is not ADA-accessible due to uneven and slick terrain.
Backstage Tour Gift Certificates
Gift a tour experience.
Each ticket is for a private tour for up to 6 participants — up to 5 participants for Penguin Backstage and Gorilla Backstage — ages 8 and up. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Closed toe shoes are required for all Backstage Experiences.
Some Backstage opportunities are not ADA-accessible due to uneven terrain.
Registration Information
- Pre-registration is required for all Riverbanks Backstage experiences; visit Riverbanks’ e-ticket store to register.
- Admission to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is not included but is required.
- All guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult during the entire experience.
- Closed-toe shoes are a requirement for all experiences.
- ADA-accessibility is limited for many experiences. Please contact the education department at 803.602.0803 for more information.
- Due to the unpredictability of the animals, Backstage experiences are subject to change or cancellation. Participants must abide by all staff instructions.
Cancellation and Refunds
- Cancellation or date change requests must be received ten days in advance of the event to receive a refund of your registration. Requests must be received in writing at education@riverbanks.org. Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable should the cancellation or need to change a date occur within ten days of the scheduled program. Times, prices, and tour components are subject to change.
- In the rare event that Riverbanks Zoo and Garden must cancel the scheduled event, all deposits or money received will be reimbursed or an option to reschedule will be provided. Notification of cancellation will be provided as soon as possible.
- Refunds and reschedules will not be provided for individuals who do not show up for the event.
Questions about Riverbanks Backstage?
Please call the Education Department at 803.602.0803 or email us.