Group Reservation Policies

Eligible Groups

Group reservations are available to schools with students in grades pre-K through 12. Students with developmental disabilities older than age 18 may be admitted at the discounted rate when attending with their school or education program/organization.

Groups must consist of a minimum of 10 people.

Reservations must be made two weeks before the day you would like to visit. Reservations are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

To cancel or make changes to your reservation, please contact 311 at least 72 hours before your visit.

Reservations are not accepted more than six months in advance of your planned visit date.

Bus Parking

Parking for buses going to the Zoo is available across the street at Tingley Field. Buses going to the Aquarium/Botanic Garden should park in the lot at Tingley Drive and Central.

Chaperones

For field trips, every 10 students require at least one adult chaperone. If your numbers change, please continue to adhere to these ratios.

Teachers of high school students may not assign persons under the age of 19 as chaperones. Chaperones are responsible for their groups. Please remain with your students at all times.

Teacher Admission

Teachers and bus drivers do not receive free admission to the BioPark. Please include yourself, other teachers and the bus driver, if they are joining you, in your adult count.

Group Discount

In order to qualify for a group discount, your party must enter together. You may not pay in advance for students, chaperones, faculty or family members who will be arriving late.

Full admission will be charged for anyone who does not enter with the school group.

Group Applications

Each school group application must be processed separately. Before arriving at the cashier's booth, please have an exact count of the number of students, adults and children under 2 years and younger in your group.

Please have your form of payment available to the cashier when you approach the window.

Payments

Payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover cards or by purchase order. 

BioPark Members

If members of your group have a Zoo or Aquarium/Botanic Garden membership, do not include them in your count of students or adults.

New Mexico BioPark Society member admission requires a separate transaction from the group admission. Member admissions cannot be included as part of the 10 to one ratio required for the school group discount.

Wrist Bands

Once you have paid for your group, you will receive wristbands to distribute to your students and chaperones. The wristbands are your ticket for entry and re-entry to the BioPark.

You will receive the exact number of wristbands for which you have paid.

Outside Food

Groups may bring their own lunches, but glass is not permitted. There are no refrigerated storage facilities on-site. Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Special Needs

Groups with special-need students should contact 311 to request accommodations.