School Group Registration

 A school group is defined as 15 or more students and teachers from a public, private, or home school; preschool; daycare; or college that provides students primary instruction five days per week.

Registration Deadline: Groups must register 15 business days in advance from date of visit. Groups reserving less than 15 business days in advance will not be eligible for a group discount.

Binder Park Zoo is pleased to provide 1 free teacher rate per every 15 paid students.

School Group Admission Rates: $10 for adults, and students (ages 18+) and $7 for students (ages 2-17).

Adult chaperones, siblings, parents, etc. who are accompanying the school group must register and pay through the school to receive the group rate.

If group attendance falls below 15 total paid participants, the group will no longer qualify for the discounted rate, and general admission rates will apply.

Payment: Groups must pay in advance or prior to entering the zoo. The group must enter the zoo at the same time and pay in one lump sum to receive the group rate.

Payment Method: Cash, check, and credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) are all acceptable.

All registered participants will be provided with wristbands. All members of your group must wear their wristbands while in the zoo. No refunds will be given for unused wristbands.

Pick your own date! Binder Park Zoo will be closed to the public on Saturday, September 28, for a fundraising event.

Day of Your Visit: Arrival

Please keep your group on the bus or wait together outside the admission gate until released by zoo staff.

Teachers, bring your completed worksheet and check in at the admissions gate.

Please make sure arrival, lunch (if applicable), and departure times are shared with your group leaders.

Day of Your Visit: Safety and Rules

We request all students have nametags with the following information:

  • Name of the school
  • Emergency contact information
  • Name of the minor does not need to be included on the tag

Groups will be provided wristbands; all members of the group must wear their wristband while in the zoo.

Guests must follow all zoo rules and guidelines during their visit. Failure to observe rules may result in dismissal.

Unauthorized feeding of animals and chasing, teasing, or touching animals is strictly prohibited.

Binder Park Zoo follows the Code Adam protocol; if a child goes missing, inform anyone in a zoo uniform.

Please remind your group to look for a zoo employee if they should get lost.

Day of Your Visit: Food

Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the zoo; please plan accordingly.

Catering and group meals can be ordered through our restaurants. Please contact our general manager of restaurant and culinary services at (269) 979-1351 or cmcdaniel@binderparkzoo.org for information and pricing.

Picnic pavilions are located on the grounds of the zoo. Pavilions are available for 45 minutes at no charge for school groups. However, you must reserve your 45-minute time slot 15 business days in advance by emailing education@binderparkzoo.org.

Day of Your Visit: Rides

The zoo is home to:

  • The Binda Conservation Carousel: A one-of-a-kind, wooden carousel featuring 36 colorful, hand-carved animal figures
    • $2 per person if ordered in advance (15 business days prior to visit)
    • $3 per person day of visit
    • Free for children under 42" who are riding with a paid adult
  • The Z. O. & O. Railroad: A miniature locomotive that pulls open-air cars through a one-and-a-half-mile nature loop
    • $2 per person if ordered in advance (15 business days prior to visit)
    • $3 per person day of visit
    • Free for children under 42" who are riding with a paid adult

Day of Your Visit: Wild Africa

No visit to Binder Park Zoo is complete without a trip to Wild Africa! Here’s a few pointers for your adventure:

  • Getting There: The Wilderness Tram transports guests to/from Wild Africa at no charge. Guests may also choose to walk the half-mile trail to and/or from Wild Africa.
  • Twiga Overlook: Experience the thrill of hand-feeding a giraffe! The cost is $2 for one lettuce snack.

Rescheduling / Refunds / Cancellation

Binder Park Zoo does not issue rain checks, passes, or refunds due to inclement weather.

If you need to reschedule your visit, please contact us at (269) 979-1351 or education@binderparkzoo.org.

Still have questions? Contact our education team at (269) 979-1351 or email education@binderparkzoo.org.

School Group Registration

Binder Park Zoo is located three miles south of I-94 exit 100.

DETROIT

I-94 W to exit 100

Three miles south

GRAND RAPIDS

US 131 S to I-94 E to exit 100

Three miles south

CHICAGO

I-94 E to exit 100

Three miles south

LANSING

I-69 S to I-94 W to exit 100

Three miles south

FT WAYNE

I-69 N to I-94 W to exit 100

Three miles south

SOUTH BEND

US 33 N to I-80 E to US 131 N to I-94 E to exit 100

Three miles south