Hang out with adorable baby animals, hand feed a kangaroo, admire an owl mere feet away, hold a giant monitor lizard, or simply enjoy a wildlife tour from afar — at the North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park! Tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains of Cleveland, GA, this spectacular zoo near the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest puts animals first and remains focused on its mission: to help bring people and animals together for the glory of God.
This faith-based, friendly wildlife park, just an hour from central Blue Ridge and north of Atlanta, features 60 acres to explore with 300+ animals of all shapes and sizes. Plus, you can take a safari ride in your own car, participate in an animal encounter, visit one of the largest petting zoos in the state, or plan a special experience. For your next vacation to North Georgia, be sure to add a visit to this one-of-a-kind wildlife park!
Safari Drive-Thru
While you can take a guided wildlife walk through the North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park, you can also take a safari ride! Stay seated in your own car and follow the designated path to view around 80 species of wild animals — including warthogs, zebra, water buffalo, camels, ostriches, wild cats, alligators, wallabies, otters, owls, armadillos, capuchins, and lemurs — with air conditioning and your favorite snacks. There’s even a llama lane that goes straight through the llama exhibit, where you can hand out approved treats from your windows. Note: aside from the llama lane, the animals cannot walk up to your car.
Animal Encounters
Want to get up close and personal with exotic animals or plan a special outing for your animal-loving kiddo? The animal encounters (for ages 8+) at the North Georgia Wildlife Park feature a wide variety of meaningful experiences with animals of all sorts (some listed below). Walk among a herd of deer, pet baby animals, become an owl perch, collect porcupine quills, or howl with the wolves! Note: if your kid or teen really loves animals, look into their zoo camp, day camp, or overnight camp.
Types of Animals in Personal Encounters
- Baby animals
- Camels
- Capybaras
- Deer
- Foxes
- Kangaroos
- Lynx
- Otters
- Owls
- Primates
- Reptiles
- Sloths
- Tropical birds
- Wolves
Special Experiences
Make your vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains extraordinary when you plan for a special experience at the North Georgia Wildlife Park. Go behind the scenes, propose to your special someone, celebrate a birthday, shadow a zookeeper for the day, take a group tour, or practice yoga…with kangaroos! Remember to revisit the zoo at a later date for newly released experiences and seasonal events.
A Taste of Wildlife Park Experiences
- Behind the Scenes Tour
- Proposal Experience
- Party at the Zoo
- Behind the Safari Tour
- Coffee & Critters
- Art & Animals
- GOGA in the Wild
- Shadow a Zookeeper
- Group Tour
- Piggy Cuddles
- Sunset Wagon Ride
Petting Zoo
Attached to the main wildlife park is a petting farm (one of the largest in the state) for more family fun in North Georgia! Feed cups allow you to hand feed many of the farm animals, and you can reach out and touch these cuddly creatures — including llamas, sheep, donkeys, alpacas, ponies, rare breeds, and miniatures. There are giant tortoises and a free-flight aviary filled with cute parakeets! Pony rides are also available in warmer seasons.
Gift Shop
After touring the zoo, participating in animal experiences, and making memories with family and friends, consider grabbing a memento to commemorate the day. At this North Georgia zoo, you’ll find an open-air gift shop teeming with animal gifts, plushies, toys, T-shirts, jewelry, bags, keychains, dream catchers, and home decor! It’s a unique place to add to your vacation shopping list.
Things to Note
Please follow the rules and regs for the North Georgia Wildlife Park, put in place for the well-being of the animals plus safety and enjoyment of all guests.
- Do not play music while touring the park.
- Keep service animals (pets are not permitted) on a leash or harness at all times.
- Do not run in any section of the park.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol on the grounds.
- Feel free to take as many photos and videos as you like for personal use (except in animal encounters).
While most of the zoo is handicap accessible, some grass/rocky paths may be too difficult to navigate. Not to worry, you can reserve a golf cart ahead of time to see the entire park!
With paid admission, you may pack and bring your own picnic (recommendation: include bits from the weekly farmers market) to enjoy at the picnic tables. You can even reserve a picnic area if you wish, so you can secure a spot for your group.
Volunteers are always welcome. Reach out beforehand to see how you, family, and friends can help care for the animals for a day or a special weekend.
Zoo Admission & Membership
While you can purchase admission tickets for the zoo and petting farm online, you must do so sometime before the day you visit. However, you may purchase same-day tickets at the park gates. Note: pricing for animal encounters and special experiences is not included with general admission.
- Adult: $25
- Child (2-11): $23
- Infant: FREE
Plan to return to North Georgia often? Consider opting for a North Georgia Wildlife Park Club membership that offers special discounts, access to exclusive events, and FREE admission to the petting farm.
- Adult: $32
- Child (2-12): $26
- Family (2 adults + 2 children): $100
Location
North Georgia Wildlife Park
2912 Paradise Valley Road
Cleveland, GA 30528
Zoo Hours
Operations vary month to month, but the zoo is typically open on weekends. Spring and summer offer more days and longer hours; fall and winter hours fluctuate a bit more. For the most accurate information on when to visit the zoo, check out the North Georgia Wildlife Park calendar.
Contact
info@wildlifewonders.org
706.348.7279
Office hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Georgia Cabins for YOU
Playing with animals all day will leave you happy and exhausted. To get the most out of your family adventure, a romantic vacation, or group getaway, plan for a nearby log cabin rental in Blue Ridge, GA. Amenities include views of the Blue Ridge Mountains or Toccoa River, hot tubs, outdoor lounges with fireplaces and TVs, big-screen TVs, game rooms with pool and arcade units, wet bars, indoor jetted tubs, full kitchens, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and king suites! Rest and recharge for more outdoor fun in North Georgia — including hiking to waterfalls, riding horses, fly fishing, whitewater rafting, and ziplining — at your Blue Ridge Mountain cabin rental.
Plan YOUR ultimate animal experience in North Georgia and book a mountain cabin rental for a vacation to remember.
