Exciting Expansions At The Sioux Falls Great Plains Zoo On The Horizon

Exciting things are afoot right now at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls.

This region's largest zoo is fast becoming one of the Midwest's top animal attractions.

And starting this October, things are about to get even wilder with another round of major improvements scheduled.

Get our free mobile app

According to an article inside Pigeon 605, the Great Plains Zoo is ready to embark on the first phase of its new butterfly garden, which will flutter over to the Great Plains Zoo from its current location in Sertoma Park.

This new butterfly garden is just one piece of a much larger expansion plan the zoo is planning to roll out over the next three years.

What else is on the horizon, you ask?

Well, before 2028, the zoo is planning on adding a brand new aquarium and education center.

As Pigeon 605 reports, the new aquarium will come complete with a stunning shark tunnel that will allow visitors to see sharks glide over their heads without the threat of becoming lunch. There's also a 12,000-square-foot education center planned, along with a penguin-themed play area, that will surely have kids and parents alike waddling with the best of them.

All of this will be part of a major expansion inside the zoo’s main building, currently home to the Delbridge Museum of Natural History.

Once finished, the exterior of the zoo's campus will look very different. The butterfly garden will span approximately 5,000 square feet and feature a beautiful glass enclosure that ties into the entryway to other outdoor exhibits.

Pigeon 605 reports that the zoo is also planning a Sioux quartzite water feature inspired by Falls Park, which will tumble into a serene koi pond. Very zen. Very Sioux Falls.

Look for the new butterfly house to open sometime in 2027, with the 12,000-square-foot education center breaking ground in the spring of 2026, and the 35,000-square-foot aquarium following in the summer. All of the new attractions would be open to the public in 2028.

This whole expansion isn't just about the wow factor. It’s projected to bring in an economic impact of $548 million over the next decade to the city of Sioux Falls.

READ MORE:  South Dakota Singers Can Audition For American Idol This Week

So, whether you're a butterfly enthusiast, a future marine biologist, or just someone who enjoys a good penguin slide, there’s a lot to get excited about at the Great Plains Zoo in the coming years.

Want to read more about all the details planned? Dive into Jodi Schwan’s full scoop over at Pigeon 605.

 Source: Pigeon 605