Group Reservations

A minimum of 15 paying guests (3 & up) is required to obtain group rates. A group reservation is required two weeks in advance of your visit.

Register Your Group Zoo Visit Today

It’s easy to register your group! First, review the rates, policies and frequently asked questions below. Then, simply complete the online Group Reservation Form to reserve your arrival time slot:

Payments

To ensure prompt admission into the Zoo, groups MUST pay upon arrival with ONE form of payment for the entire group. Those paying separately will be charged full admission and will not receive the group rate. Group leaders, please make sure your parent chaperones know they must pay with the group to get the group rate!

Payment may be cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Personal or organizational checks are acceptable with proper identification. Please make checks payable to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

If your organization needs to be billed or pay on a purchase order basis, prior approval is required. Please call 812-435-0808 when scheduling your reservation; proof of purchase order must be provided.

Group Rates

Zoo Members, Teachers, or Bus Drivers – FREE
Adult Admission (13 and up) – $9 each
Child Admission (ages 3-12) – $8 each
Children (2 and under) – FREE

Day of Visit – Checklist

On the day of your visit, bring:

1. Fee Estimate (sent via email from education@meskerparkzoo.com)
2. Payment (Cash, Personal/Organizational check with proper ID, Visa, Mastercard or Discover)
3. Copies of membership cards for Zoo Members

Group Reservations FAQs

General Reservation/Payment Information

  • All group reservations must be submitted through the online form. We will send you an email with an order balance due and confirmation of the reservation within 3 business days. If you have not received a confirmation within 5 business days, it is possible we did not receive your request. Tech glitches do happen with our online form.

    PLEASE REACH OUT TO US TO ENSURE YOUR REQUEST WAS RECEIVED.

  • Please make checks payable to Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden.

  • Passes, coupons, or other promotions DO NOT APPLY to the group rate.

  • Buses may enter the main Zoo parking lot for drop-off, but must park in Lot A across from Mesker Amphitheatre.

  • You can bring as many chaperones as you wish, but each party must have one chaperone per every 6 children under the age of 6 OR one chaperone per every 10 children over the age of 6. Chaperones are required to stay with children at all times.

  • Paid staff chaperones like teachers, bus drivers, and aides are admitted for free, up to 1 chaperone for every 10 children. Parent chaperones can get the group rate, but must pay the group with ONE payment. Those paying separately will be charged full admission and will not receive the group rate. Group leaders should make sure parents understand the conditions in which they can get the group rate.

  • If you’d like to cancel your group reservation due to rain or severe weather, call 812-435-0808  or email education@meskerparkzoo.com to reschedule!

Enhance Your Visit

  • Yes! We have many enjoyable educational experiences available for your group, both at the zoo or at your location. For more details, please see our Program Menu under Educational Experiences on our website. These must be booked at least two weeks in advance, pending schedule availability. For more information, call our Education Department at 812-435-0809.

    PLEASE REACH OUT TO US TO ENSURE YOUR REQUEST WAS RECEIVED.

  • Yes! Free, self-guided scavenger hunts are available for download on our website under “Educational Experiences.”

  • Zoo Tokens are required for access to attractions and can be purchased with your group reservation. They are also available for purchase at various locations throughout the Zoo. To make arrangements for 50+ tokens for your group, please contact info@meskerparkzoo.com.

    Attractions:

    • Paddle Boats (Seasonal May – Sept. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 3 tokens per rider)

    • Zoo Tram (all day access, free for members)

    • Engelbrecht Carousel (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 2 tokens per rider)

    • Giraffe Feeding (Weather permitting 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4 tokens per feed)

    • Budgie Feeding (Seasonal May – Oct. 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m., 2 tokens per feed)

    • Penguin Feeding (11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 5 tokens per feed)

  • Tokens are $1.00 each and are sold in increments of 1, 5, 10, and 20 tokens only. Cash or credit card can be used at the token machines. No refunds on tokens. Any unused tokens can be used on subsequent visits to the Zoo. Groups needing a large amount of tokens can request them ahead of time when booking their group, to be picked up at the front gate upon entry.

Lunch/Catering

  • Outside food and drinks are not permitted on Zoo grounds. Lunch is available for purchase on-site at the Rainforest Grill. Picnics are allowed in the surrounding parking lots and park areas. Mesker Mall a large covered picnic pavilion directly across the street from the Zoo entrance, and free on a first come first serve basis. Mesker Park picnic shelter is adjacent to the gravel overflow parking lot, and can be rented for $108 by calling the Parks Dept. at 812-435-6141. Both of those have capacity for well over 100 people. On Zoo grounds there are a few picnic tables in our main parking lot. If your group wishes to rent an outdoor lunch facility within the zoo grounds, please call 812-435-6143 for current rental rates and availability. Please note: we have discontinued offering free lunch arrangements for school groups to redirect our limited staff and vehicle resources.

  • Yes! Our Zoo Caterer, VenuWorks has a variety of options available for groups. Click here for lunch options (PDF). When you make a group reservation, indicate that you would like to make lunch reservations and a member of our Zoo Catering team will get back to you within 3 business days. Large groups should notify the grill 3 weeks ahead of time to ensure menu items are in stock for the day of visit.

  • Yes, if the group or party leaves Zoo grounds, simply keep your original receipt to ensure same day re-admittance.

Silhouette of various tropical leaves and plants.

Additional questions? Contact our Education Department at education@meskerparkzoo.com or 812-435-0808.