Bismarck's Dakota Zoo has set its calendar through the end of the year. It includes a family zookeeper camp Nov. 21, a Thanksgiving Day closure, two toddler mornings and six December afternoons of storytime and photos with Santa.
The zoo at 602 Riverside Park Road is on winter hours, open 1 to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, weather permitting, according to its hours page. The zoo says it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Easter Sunday.
November programs
Toddler Time returns Thursday, Nov. 19, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The zoo describes it as interactive stations and up-close animal encounters for children 5 and under. The cost is $10 per child. Parents, guardians and children under 2 are free and do not need to register. Registration is online through the zoo's Toddler Time page. A December session is set for Thursday, Dec. 10, at the same time.
Family Zookeeper Camp runs Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Each registration must include at least one child age 5 to 18 and a parent or guardian. According to the zoo, activities may include making enrichment items for animals, helping prepare diets behind the scenes and attending keeper presentations. The cost is $50 per person, or $45 for zoo members. The zoo's rule is that registration stays open until one week before the camp or until it fills; by that rule, registration would close around Nov. 14. The zoo also says no refunds are given. To register or ask questions, contact the education and volunteer coordinator at 701-223-7543, ext. 3, or educate@dakotazoo.org.
The zoo will be closed Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving. It reopens on its regular winter schedule that Friday.
Stories with Santa in December
The zoo's 2026 year-at-a-glance schedule lists Story Time with Santa from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m., followed by Pictures with Santa from 2 to 4 p.m., on:
- Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5–6
- Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12–13
- Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19–20
The zoo's Stories with Santa event page has not been updated for this year and is still headed "December 2025." Last year, according to that page, Santa read holiday stories in the Discovery Center meeting room, photos were taken by professional photographers as a zoo fundraiser, personal cameras and video recording were not allowed, prints cost $25 and visiting Santa carried no extra charge beyond admission, with members admitted free. Those details and last year's $25 print price may change for 2026, so families should check ahead with the zoo before going.
Admission
The zoo's posted admission prices, in effect since Jan. 1, 2025, are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors 60 and older and for military with photo ID, and $11 for children 2 to 12. Children under 2 get in free. The posted rates do not include a separate winter price, so check ahead on what applies during the Santa weekends.
The zoo notes that its schedule is subject to change. Because it operates weather permitting in winter, visitors should check dakotazoo.org or call 701-223-7543 before heading out on a cold or snowy day.
Sources: https://www.dakotazoo.org/schedule-of-events/schedule-year-at-a-glance/ ; https://www.dakotazoo.org/special_events/saturday-with-santa/ ; https://www.dakotazoo.org/education/zoo-camp/family-zookeeper-camp/ ; https://www.dakotazoo.org/education/toddlertime/ ; https://www.dakotazoo.org/hours_and_prices/