The Dakota Zoo sits on the banks of the Missouri River in Bismarck, North Dakota, where it has grown from a small backyard menagerie into an AZA-accredited facility spanning 90 acres. It opened to the public on June 3, 1961, with just 75 mammals, 23 birds, and about 15 acres of developed grounds.
The zoo traces its roots to Marc and Betty Christianson, who ran a 67-acre farm boarding domestic animals on the northern edge of Bismarck. As neighbors began dropping off strays and injured wildlife, the Christiansons’ informal animal rescue grew into a full community zoo that today hosts more than 150,000 visitors annually.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
- Opened: June 3, 1961
- Size: 90 acres
- Species/Animal Count: 600+ animals, 125 species
- Annual Visitors: About 150,000
- Hours: Summer (late April-September): 10am-6pm daily; Winter (October-late April): 1-5pm Fri-Sun
- Famous For: Jack & Joyce Schuchart Big Cat Complex (tigers and snow leopards)
From a Family Farm to an AZA Zoo
What began as Marc and Betty Christianson’s personal animal rescue on their farm evolved over six decades into a self-supporting, AZA-accredited zoo covering 90 acres. The Dakota Zoo receives no tax funding, relying instead on admissions, memberships, concessions, and donations to operate.
The grounds are organized by habitat type, with ungulates such as elk and bison kept in large open enclosures in the southern part of the zoo, while predators including wolves and bears occupy the northern section. A Primate Center and reptile and small-mammal exhibits add closer, hands-on learning opportunities.
Visiting Hours and Admission
The Dakota Zoo runs a seasonal schedule: summer hours (late April through September) are 10am to 6pm daily, while winter hours (October through late April) narrow to 1pm-5pm Friday through Sunday, both weather permitting. The zoo closes on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
As of 2025, admission runs $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and military, and $11 for children ages 2-12, with kids under 2 free. The zoo also offers a train ride through the grounds for $6 per person, and groups of 20 or more booked five days ahead receive $1 off posted prices.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Dakota Zoo FAQs
When did the Dakota Zoo open?
The Dakota Zoo opened to the public on June 3, 1961, after growing out of Marc and Betty Christianson’s farm near Bismarck.
What are the Dakota Zoo’s hours?
Summer hours (late April through September) are 10am to 6pm daily. Winter hours (October through late April) are 1pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday, weather permitting.
What animals can visitors see at the Dakota Zoo?
The zoo is home to more than 600 animals representing 125 species, including Siberian tigers, snow leopards, wolves, bears, and elk.
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Photo: Matt Reinbold / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.