Wild adventures begin with membership!

Join or renew today, visit today — Just Zoo It! It’s the best family entertainment value around.

Enjoy free daytime admission to the Zoo and Garden every day for an entire year, guest passes, discounts and a whole lot more. Plus, becoming a Riverbanks member is a simple action you can take that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

No matter how or where you join, your membership card will be available at the ticket booth on your next visit to the Zoo. All of your membership information, benefits and guest passes are stored on a barcoded membership card, which is yours, permanently. Simply join or renew online, at the gate or in the mail, and your permanent membership card will be activated—or reactivated—on your next trip to the Zoo. Then, just show your card at the turnstile each time you visit for a speedy entry experience!

Primary Benefits for all membership levels.

  • Free admission everyday.
  • Free “green” guest passes (each guest pass is a $16.95 value).
  • Free visit to Lights Before Christmas.
  • Free subscription to Riverbanks magazine.
  • Free admission to Members’ Night Out.
  • Discounted admission to more than 100 participating zoos and aquariums across the country. Learn more about reciprocal admission privileges.
  • Members-only discounts off Boo at the Zoo and other after-hours events.
  • 10% discount in Zoo and Garden gift shops.
  • Timely and informative email updates.
  • Discounts off Riverbanks Backstage tours and Zoo Camps.
  • Add cash value to your membership card and use it in the park for concessions, retail, attractions or other in-park purchases. (Membership card and picture ID will be required to redeem. Any value added is non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Lost or stolen membership cards will not be replaced, unless presented with original purchase receipt.)
  • 20% OFF Entire Regularly-Priced Mast Store Branded Purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers or to purchase gift cards. Not valid on Mast Store employee purchases. Limit one offer per visit. In-stock items only. Not valid online. Valid Riverbanks Membership Card required to receive offer. Offer valid thru 12/31/2019.

Choose a Membership Level that fits you best!

Individual—$59

Join or Renew Today

Individual Plus—$99

Join or Renew Today

Individual Explorer—$149

**PLUS**

  • Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari and Zip Line are not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
Join or Renew Today

Family OR Grandparent—$115

Join or Renew Today

Family Plus—$139

  • Two named adults.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Twelve free guest passes.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

Join or Renew Today

BEST VALUE—Family Explorer—$199

  • Two named adults.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Twelve free guest passes.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

  • Unlimited free visits to Lights Before Christmas.
  • Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari and Zip Line are not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
Join or Renew Today

Patron—$250

  • Two named adults.
  • One guest anytime.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Twelve free guest passes.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

  • Unlimited free visits to Lights Before Christmas.
  • Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari and Zip Line are not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
  • NEW Riverbanks Backstage tour for two. (Age restrictions apply.)
  • Two membership cards.
Join or Renew Today

Curator—$325 (GOLD MEMBERSHIP)

  • Two named adults.
  • One guest anytime.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Sixteen free guest passes.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

  • Unlimited free visits to Lights Before Christmas.
  • Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari and Zip Line are not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
  • NEW Riverbanks Backstage tour for two. (Age restrictions apply.)
  • Two membership cards.
  • Private Gold Circle Event.
Join or Renew Today

Director—$500 (GOLD MEMBERSHIP)

  • Two named adults.
  • One guest anytime.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Sixteen free guest passes.
  • Discounted general admission tickets.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

  • Unlimited free visits to Lights Before Christmas.
  • Unlimited free rides and attractions all year long. (Guest passes do not apply. Unlimited rides and attractions apply to daytime visits only. Sky-High Safari and Zip Line are not included in unlimited rides and attractions packages.)
  • NEW Riverbanks Backstage tour for two. (Age restrictions apply.)
  • Two membership cards.
  • Private Gold Circle Event.
  • 25% discount on facility rentals.
Join or Renew Today

Benefactor—$1,000 (GOLD MEMBERSHIP)

  • Two named adults.
  • One guest anytime.
  • Children ages 18 and under living in household OR Grandchildren ages 18 and under.
  • Twenty free guest passes.
  • Discounted general admission tickets.
  • Primary benefits.

**PLUS**

Join or Renew Today

Consider the Savings with the best family entertainment value around! Compare and see for yourself.

General Admission Rates—per visit per person

  • Regular Adult (ages 13 and up) — $19.95
  • Regular Child (ages 2–12) — $16.95
  • Lights Before Christmas Adult — $12.00
  • Lights Before Christmas Child (ages 3–12) — $10.00
  • Unlimited Daily Rides and Attractions Wristband** — $20.00
    **Admission, Sky-High Safari and zip line are not included with purchase.**
  • River Zip — $55.00; Zipline Canopy Tour (Zoo Zip and River Zip) — $80.00
  • Sky-High Safari — $7.00

Individual Membership—a greater than $130.70 value for only $59.00!

  • If 1 adult visits the Zoo twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $40.90.
  • If 1 adult visits the Lights Before Christmas once, it costs $12.00.
  • The 4 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $79.80.
  • Plus, as a member, you save $2 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge and up to $20 off each Zipline Canopy Tour ticket!

Family Membership—a greater than $311.30 value for only $115.00!

  • If 2 adults and 2 children visit twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $147.60.
  • If 2 adults and 2 children visit the Lights Before Christmas once, it costs $44.00.
  • The 6 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $119.70.
  • Plus, as a member, you save $2 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge and up to $20 off each Zipline Canopy Tour ticket!

BEST VALUE! Family Explorer Membership—a greater than $635.00 value for only $199.00!

  • If 2 adults and 2 children visit twice at the cost of regular admission, it costs $147.60.
  • If 2 adults and 2 children purchase daily rides and attractions wristbands in two visits, it costs $160.
  • If 2 adults and 2 children visit the Lights Before Christmas twice, it costs $88.00.
  • The 12 free guest passes included in this membership have a value of $239.40.
  • Plus, as a member, you save $4 off tickets to the Sky-High Safari vertical ropes challenge and up to $20 off each Zipline Canopy Tour ticket!

Visit more and do more—you’ll save even more!

Special Member Preview

A sneak preview of the new Dinosaurs Around the World exhibit will be available to members only for $1 per person on Friday, May 24, during the regularly scheduled Members’ Night Out. All members must present a valid member ID at the designated exhibit gate for entry. Guest passes will not be accepted; this preview is for members only. Memberships may be purchased at the ticket booth.

Members’ Night Out is free, after-hours and for members only (no guest passes, please.)

Riverbanks members can stroll through the Zoo on two Friday evenings for two extraordinary hours—when the park is normally closed to the public.

Come one evening or both. Gates open at 6:00pm. Parking at the main Zoo entrance only. Valid membership card and ID required.

May 24

Wildlife Up-close

  • Gorilla Food Toss — 6:30pm
  • Lion enrichment — 7:00pm

Rides & Attractions

  • Ride the carousel
  • Climb aboard the Spots ‘n’ Stripes Railroad
  • Experience the all-new Farmyard presented by House of Raeford Farms

Concessions & Gifts

  • $1 hot dogs, $1 ICEE, and $1 fountain drinks at select locations
  • 20% off retail purchases at Riverbanks Gift Shop
  • Free stroller rentals

June 21 (details to be announced)

Reciprocal Admission Privileges for more than 100 participating zoos and aquariums nationwide.

Riverbanks members are entitled to discounted admission into more than 100 participating zoos and aquariums nationwide. Reciprocity applies only for admission to the main facility on normal operating days/hours and may exclude exhibits or events requiring an additional fee. Members must be prepared to show a current Riverbanks membership card, new travel passport* and a picture ID. It is highly recommended that you contact the institution you plan to visit ahead of time to verify reciprocity and to review the specific admission/membership policies, parking fees, guest privileges and discounts to that facility.

View the latest Reciprocal Admissions List. (PDF)

*To request our new travel passport: Call the Membership Office at 803.779.8717 (and press “1”) between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. View Passport Sample. (PDF)

Give a Gift of Membership

Riverbanks memberships make great gifts! eGift membership vouchers may be purchased online and redeemed on your gift recipient’s first visit to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Plus, you can wrap and hand-deliver the eGift! Gift memberships may also be obtained at any Riverbanks ticket booth or submitted by mail and will start on the date of purchase. 

To purchase or renew a Gift of Membership: Purchase an eGift membership voucher online or download a printable mail-in form(PDF). Questions? Call the Membership Office at 803.779.8717 (and press “1”) between 8:30am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.

About Riverbanks Society

Established in 1976 by a group of concerned citizens, Riverbanks Society started out with a base of 200 members and has grown far beyond expectations with more than 40,000 member households representing over 190,000 individuals, making it one of the largest nonprofit zoo societies per capita in the United States. Members and donors provide important resources for the research, education and conservation efforts of the Zoo and Garden, strengthening Riverbanks’ position as a world-class zoo and leader in wildlife conservation.