TICKETS
GROUP RATES
GROUP RATES
Bring Your Group to John Ball Zoo!
GROUP RATES
Group Admission Options
Specific Day Tickets
Receive greater savings when you choose the day you plan to visit. Your Sales Coordinator can help customize your Zoo adventure! This option allows your group to visit all on the same day with tickets printed just for your group.
| Ticket Level | Mar. 24 - May 12 | May 13 - Oct. 1 | Oct. 1 - Nov. 19 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $12.00 Youth - $11.00 | Adult - $16.00 Youth - $13.00 | Adult - $12.00 Youth - $11.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $11.00 Youth - $10.00 | Adult - $15.00 Youth - $12.00 | Adult - $11.00 Youth - $10.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $10.00 Youth - $9.00 | Adult - $14.00 Youth - $11.00 | Adult - $10.00 Youth - $9.00 |
Good Any Day Tickets
Our most flexible option! Buy your oneday discounted admission ticket and visit any day you choose during the season! This options allows vouchers to be distributed to your group and they can then redeem on a day that works best for them during the season.
| Ticket Level | Price |
|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $17.00 Youth - $14.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $16.00 Youth - $13.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $15.00 Youth - $12.00 |
GROUP RATES
Group Admission Options
Specific Day Tickets
Receive greater savings when you choose the day you plan to visit. Your Sales Coordinator can help customize your Zoo adventure! This option allows your group to visit all on the same day with tickets printed just for your group.
March 26 - May 6
| Ticket Level | Price |
|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $12.00 Youth - $11.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $11.00 Youth - $10.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $10.00 Youth - $9.00 |
May 7 - September 25
| Ticket Level | Price |
|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $16.00 Youth - $13.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $15.00 Youth - $12.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $14.00 Youth - $11.00 |
Sept. 26 - November 20
| Ticket Level | Price |
|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $12.00 Youth - $11.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $11.00 Youth - $10.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $10.00 Youth - $9.00 |
Good Any Day Tickets
Our most flexible option! Buy your oneday discounted admission ticket and visit any day you choose during the season! This options allows vouchers to be distributed to your group and they can then redeem on a day that works best for them during the season.
| Ticket Level | Price |
|---|---|
| SILVER LEVEL (25-249 Tickets) | Adult - $17.00 Youth - $14.00 |
| GOLD LEVEL (250-999 Tickets) | Adult - $16.00 Youth - $13.00 |
| PLATINUM LEVEL (1000+ Tickets) | Adult - $15.00 Youth - $12.00 |
GROUP RATES
Established Youth Oriented Organizations
EY0 Group Rates
Groups of 20 or more children from an established youth oriented organization can now book a 2022 field trip at John Ball Zoo for a discounted rate!
| SEASON | PRICE |
|---|---|
| Discount Season | March 24 - May 12 | $12 Per Adult $7 Per Youth / Senior |
| Peak Season | May 13 - Oct. 1 | $16 Per Adult $10 Per Youth / Senior |
| Discount Season | Oct. 2 - Nov. 19 | $12 Per Adult $7 Per Youth / Senior |
Field Trip Add On Menu
To add on any of these amazing deals to your field trip, please contact us at 616.336.4300 or [email protected]
| Activity | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Budgie Aviary | Get cheek to beak in this interactive exhibit with over 200 colorful birds who will eat right out of your hands! | $2.00 Per Stick |
| Funicular | Take a scenic ride on one of the only funiculars in the United States! | $3.00 Per Ticket |
| Pay Dirt Bag | Pan for your own gems at our John Ball Zoo Gem Company! | $5.00 Per Bag |
| Camel Rides | Come hang out with these funloving animals and take a ride around. | $7.00 Per Ticket |
| Sky Trail Ropes Course | Four stories tall, two climbing levels, and over 15 obstacles ranging in difficulty, this Ropes Course gives you a chance to test your courage and strength and itâs downright fun! | $8.00 Per Ticket |
| Zip Line | Riders will be thrilled as they zip across our 600 foot, 4 story high Zip Line! | $8.00 Per Ticket |
| Sky Trail Ropes Course and Zip Line Combo | Two Activities In One! | $12.80 Per Ticket |
| Zoo Cash Cards | Cash cards to spend in the Zoo on Food or Beverages, Experiences or at the Gifts of the Wild Gift Shop! | Increments of $1.00 |
| Activity | Price |
|---|---|
| Budgie Aviary: Get cheek to beak in this interactive exhibit with over 200 colorful birds who will eat right out of your hands! | $2.00 Per Stick |
| Funicular: Take a scenic ride on one of the only funiculars in the United States! | $3.00 Per Ticket |
| Pay Dirt Bag: Pan for your own gems at our John Ball Zoo Gem Company! | $5.00 Per Bag |
| Camel Rides: Come hang out with these funloving animals and take a ride around. | $7.00 Per Ticket |
| Sky Trail Ropes Course: Four stories tall, two climbing levels, and over 15 obstacles ranging in difficulty, this Ropes Course gives you a chance to test your courage and strength and itâs downright fun! | $8.00 Per Ticket |
| Zip Line: Riders will be thrilled as they zip across our 600 foot, 4 story high Zip Line! | $8.00 Per Ticket |
| Sky Trail Ropes Course and Zip Line Combo | $12.80 Per Ticket |
| Zoo Cash Cards: Cash cards to spend in the Zoo on Food or Beverages, Experiences or at the Gifts of the Wild Gift Shop! | Increments of $1.00 |
GROUP RATES
School Groups
Schools receive a special discounted rate during the traditional school year. Thanks to the passing of the Zoo and Museum Millage Kent County Schools receive free admission during school group visits.
Discounted Admission for School Groups
School groups visiting from outside of Kent County receive a discounted student rate of $4 per student. All teachers, bus drivers, and 1 parent chaperone per every 5 students receive free admission. Additional chaperones beyond the 1:5 ratio will be charged the regular adult admission rate.
Kent County School Groups
Kent County school students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade receive FREE zoo admission for school group visits, thanks to the 2016 millage! All teachers, bus drivers, and 1 parent chaperone per every 5 students receive free admission. Additional chaperones beyond the 1:5 ratio will be charged the regular adult admission rate.
Homeschool and Virtual Learning Groups
Groups of 25 or more homeschool/virtual learning students that pre-register and pre-pay for a field trip at least two weeks in advance are eligible to receive the discounted student rate. 1 parent chaperone per every 3 students receives free admission. Additional chaperones beyond the 1:3 ratio will be charged the regular adult admission rate.
GROUP RATES
Picnics And Park Reservations
Reserved Park picnic areas are available. You can check availability and reserve one of the 7 different picnic areas in John Ball Park through our web store. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
If you have additional questions, please inquire at [email protected] or call 616-336-4301 ext 4001
Picnic Acre and Entry Valley
- Permit and approval required.
- 50 picnic tables available
- Large shade trees along the edge of large open space available for event use
- Playground, restrooms building and basketball court are nearby
- Accessible via a paved pathway to Kent Trails
- Electricity included in reservation fee
- Potable water available
- Use of Picnic Acre and Entry Valley requires a park application and approval prior to reserving this site. Please email [email protected] or call 616-336-4301 ext 4001 for an application.
Fulton View
- Picnic area is shaded by mature park trees
- Located near the open brick shelter, overlooking the duck pond
- Area seats 128 people (16 picnic tables)
- Two charcoal grills available for use
- Parking, restrooms, and the Zoo entrance are all within walking distance
- There is NO electricity available at this site
- Rental Fee: $150
Hilltop Pavilion
- Open-sided stone pavilion seats 120 people (15 picnic tables)
- Overlooks John Ball Park
- Access is on the park's south side off Butterworth Avenue just opposite the Kent Trails Bike Path
- Electricity included in reservation fee
- Drinking fountain with potable water available
- Single charcoal grill available for use
- Restrooms and playground are all within walking distance
- Located at the top of John Ball Zoological Garden.
- Rental Fee: $350
Pond Pavilion
- Open brick shelter house overlooks a charming duck pond, home to a variety of waterfowl
- Pavilion seats 96 people (12 picnic tables)
- Electricity included in reservation fee
- Potable water available
- Restrooms located inside the pavilion
- Parking and the Zoo entrance are all within walking distance
- Rental Fee: $350
The Grove
- Shady area seats 96 people (12 picnic tables)
- Located just east of the LV Eberhard Zoo Administration Building
- Two charcoal grills available for use
- Parking, restrooms, and the Zoo entrance are all within walking distance
- There is NO electricity available at this site
- Rental Fees: $150
Valley View West
- Picnic area is shaded by mature park trees and is adjacent to a large playground
- Area seats 80 people (10 picnic tables)
- Located between the south parking lot and Valley St
- Single charcoal grill available for use
- Parking, restrooms, and the Zoo entrance are all within walking distance
- There is NO electricity available at this site
- Rental Fee: $150
Valley View East
- Picnic area is shaded by mature park trees, and is adjacent to a large playground
- Area seats 80 people (10 picnic tables)
- Located between the south parking lot and Valley St
- Single charcoal grill available for use
- Parking, restrooms, and the Zoo entrance are all within walking distance
- There is NO electricity available at this site
- Rental Fee: $150
GROUP RATES
Reserve a Space for Your Picnic or Event
Park reservations can be made for May 1st through October 15th. All reservations must be made at least two weeks ahead of your desired date.Â
Reservations can start as early as 9:00am but please specify the start and end time details for your event/reservation during the online reservation process.
Please note, reservations for Picnic Acre require a park event permit to be completed. If you are interested in this area, please inquire about availability at [email protected]. or call 616-336-4301 Ext 4001.
- Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the John Ball Zoo or Park without prior approval.
- No animal rides are allowed.
- No balloons of any kind are not permitted in park or zoo.
- The sale of merchandise or operation of merchandise or food concessions must be reviewed and approved by the CEO or his/her designee. This includes dunk tanks.
- Inflatable equipment (space walks, bounce houses, slides, etc.) are not permitted withour prior approval.
- No gambling or gambling devices are allowed.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times in the Park.
- No hunting or trapping.
- No disruptive behavior or drunkenness.
- No posting of signs unless prior approval.
- Fires are only permitted in grills for cooking.
- Parking in designated spaces only. Â NO PARKING along roads or on grass.
- Renter must possess a copy of the reservation confirmation and liability insurance (if applicable) at the event for which the permit is being issued.
- All rentals are held rain or shine. No refunds will be issued due to inclement weather.
GROUP RATES
Overnight Adventures - Postponed Until Further Notice
See the zoo in a new light and have a fun-filled, nocturnal learning adventure! Come to the zoo after hours and enjoy a variety of activities â get an up-close look at an animal demonstration, enjoy hands-on activities, visit nocturnal animals that are usually sleeping during the daylight hours and even make a little something for the animals to eat the following morning. Pack up your sleeping bags and camp out in the Chimp Day Room. We offer a variety of Overnight Adventure programs for scout or community groups or individual family groups.
Scouts/Groups/School Overnights begin at 5:30pm and end at 9:30am the following morning.Â
Minimum fee of $500 for up to 12 people, each additional person is $45 (includes bedtime snack, breakfast, souvenir and admission to the zoo following the overnight). There is a maximum of 40 people, including chaperones. One adult chaperone is required for every 5 students. Sorry, children under 5 are not allowed.
Please contact the Education Department at 616-336-4302 for more information or to register your group.Â
Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and a $100 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your date upon registration. The complete payment and registration materials will be due 2 weeks prior to the overnight.Â
In conjunction with our Zoo Camp day programs we also offer overnight adventures to individual youth in grades 3-8. These programs are typically on Friday or Saturday nights throughout the summer, one weekend night over Spring Break and a few weekend nights in the fall. The evening starts at 5:30pm and ends at 9:30am the following morning. Enjoy activities including games, keeper talks, night tours, live animal demonstrations and more. Evening snack and breakfast are included. Two adults supervise a group of up to 16 students for each program.
Work on earning a badge while on an Overnight Adventure. Choose from one of the following badges or work with the Overnight Instructor on customizing your overnight experience.Â
- General – Nocturnal Theme used for any age group
- Brownies – Hiker – Senses
- Junior – Animal Habitats
- Cadette – Animal Helpers – Night Owl
- Senior – Voice for Animals
Bring your friends to spend the night at the zoo for a birthday sleepover you will not forget! Recommended for children ages 7 and up. The additional $60 Birthday Party overnight fee includes cupcakes and fruit drinks for all participants and a special birthday gift for the birthday child.
Looking for a field trip your students won’t soon forget? Head over to the zoo for an overnight. We can easily accommodate one classroom of students in our facility. Work with the overnight instructor to plan your activities around curriculum you study in the classroom.