Guest Services

Accepted Forms of Payment

Sunset Zoo's ticket booth, gift shop and concession stand accept cash, check and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa and Discover). There are no ATMs located inside the park.

Food & Beverage

Expedition Cafe Concession Stand 2023 season: (official opening date coming soon!)

- Open Daily from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June to early August

- Open Weekends from 11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. August to late October

The café features a brand-new menu that includes burger and hot dog baskets, slushies, classic snacks like nachos and soft pretzels, yogurt, Dippin Dots and more.

BYOBottle to the concession stand and we will refill any size for $2 with soda or a slush!

There are bottle filling stations in the Zoo, located in the Gift Shop/Ticket Booth, near Expedition Cafe and also in the Nature Exploration Center.

When the concession stand is closed, vending machines are still available in the entryway plaza and the pavilion. Snacks and beverages are also available for purchase in the gift shop, open year round.

Getting Around the Zoo & ADA Access

The Flint Hills are certainly reflected in Sunset Zoo's terrain! While beautiful it does make for steep hills in some areas, please plan accordingly when visiting. The Zoo is wheelchair accessible, however inclines near the gibbon exhibit / the entrance into the Asian Trail is steep.

Sunset Zoo features six ADA-approved bathrooms, four changing stations, two at the Zoo's entryway and four near the pavilion. Strollers and wagons are also available for rent at the Zoo's ticket booth, $5.25 for double strollers, $4.25 for a single stroller, and $3.25 for wagons.

We do not have a nursing room. Contact guest services for a private, comfortable location.

Parking

Parking is available in the main lot located directly off of Oak Street. As long as the field is not muddy, overflow parking is available in the field southeast of the main lot. Parking is also available along Oak Street. For specific special event parking instructions, please visit the Special Event pages.

Playground & Picnic Areas

Inside the main Zoo south of the prairie dog exhibit is a large playground. The Zoo's open-air, covered pavilion is adjacent to this space and features several picnic tables. Picnic tables are also located around the concession stand. Guests also enjoy picnicking on the open limestone seating in Chautauqua Amphitheater near the concession stand. Play is at the user's risk.

Sunset Zoo Gift Shop

The Safari Outpost Gift Shop is located at the Zoo's entryway. The shop features a large variety of toys, plush, clothing and zoo mementos. Additionally, the shop is opened year round during regular Zoo operating hours.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Sunset Zoo and we appreciate any advance notice, but it is not required.

Other Items

Riley County Emergency Management and Riley County Police Department Dispatch Center test the outdoor warning sirens each month to make sure the sirens will function when needed. This will happen on the first Monday at 10:30 am. Sign up for emergency notifications here. Since the siren is located in the Sunset Zoo parking lot, it may be loud and startle you. Sunset Zoo may be open during testing times, please do not panic.