The Wilds Ohio: A Guide to Visiting the Safari Park

I grew up about twenty minutes from The Wilds, and somehow I never visited until I was an adult, back home seeing family. It’s the kind of place you take for granted precisely because it’s right in your own backyard, and I’ve spent three trips since making up for it.

The Wilds is a nearly 10,000-acre safari park and conservation center near Cumberland, in the rolling hills of southeast Ohio, where the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium keeps rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, and dozens of other rare animals on open pastures that you tour by bus. What makes it more remarkable is the land itself, which was strip-mined for coal for decades before it was reclaimed and given back to wildlife.

I’ve now been in the deep quiet of a November winter tour, on a hot summer open-air safari, and back again in 2023 for a family visit I’ll tell you about below. So I can help you decide whether The Wilds is worth the drive, work out which tour fits your group, and know what to expect once you’re there.

The Wilds at a glance:

• Nearly 10,000 acres of open pastures, woodland, and lakes near Cumberland, Ohio, operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
• Open daily May 1 through October 31 (roughly 8:45am to 4pm). Pre-booked winter tours run November through April.
• Open-Air Safari tours run from about $35 to $49 per person. Plan on around three hours for a visit.
• Home to rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, Przewalski’s wild horses, and many other rare and native species.
• About 1.5 to 2 hours from Columbus, and roughly 35 minutes from Zanesville.
• You can stay overnight inside the park in adults-only yurts, family cabins, or an RV campground.

What Animals Will You See at The Wilds?

The Wilds is home to more than 25 species of rare and endangered animals from Africa, Asia, and North America, along with the native Ohio wildlife that lives on the reclaimed land. Because the animals roam in large open pastures rather than small enclosures, no two tours are the same. Some days you drive right up alongside a herd, and some days a species is off resting in the trees near the lake. Your guide knows where the animals tend to be, and they’ll do their best to find the ones you most want to see.

From Africa, you’ve got a good chance of seeing southern white rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, ostriches, and African painted dogs. The Asian species are some of the most unusual, including Przewalski’s wild horses (a species once extinct in the wild), Sichuan takin, Père David’s deer, Persian onagers, banteng, dholes, and Bactrian camels. You’ll also see plains grazers like American bison, along with various antelope and deer.

Keep an eye out for the local residents too. Native Ohio deer, coyotes, herons, and raptors all live on the property, and The Wilds is recognized by Audubon as one of Ohio’s Important Bird Areas.

Safari Tours at The Wilds (2026 Prices)

The heart of a visit is the safari tour, and there are a few different ways to see the animals depending on your budget, your group, and how close you want to get. All tours must be booked online in advance, and none of them run on a walk-up basis. Here’s how the main options compare (prices are per person, as of 2026):

Open-Air Safari

The Open-Air Safari is the tour most people take, and it’s the one I recommend for a first visit. You ride through the open-range pastures in an open-air bus with a canopy, led by a guide who points out the animals and answers questions, with a couple of stops where you get out to walk a short distance. The tour lasts about two hours, but I’d allow at least three hours for your visit, since you need to catch the shuttle to and from the parking area and you’ll probably want time for the Butterfly Habitat, the shops, and a bite to eat.

Prices run from about $35 to $49 per person depending on the day and time you go, with weekends and peak afternoon slots at the higher end. You can check current tours and prices on The Wilds website.

Wildside Safari

If you want a closer look, the Wildside Safari is worth the extra money. You head out in a smaller group in an open-air truck with an animal management specialist, and you get to see more of the day-to-day work of the park, which might mean a feeding, a look at a conservation project, or a stop you wouldn’t get on the standard tour. It costs from $139 to $164 per person and is open to ages 6 and up. For animal lovers and older kids, this is the one that turns a nice afternoon into a memorable one.

Zipline Safari

For a different view of the property, the Zipline Safari sends you across 10 ziplines strung above the pastures and lakes, with a rappelling section and observation platforms along the way. You see parts of the preserve, and sometimes the animals, from the air. Book this one directly through The Wilds, since pricing and times vary by season.

Other Tours and Activities

Beyond the animal tours, The Wilds runs horseback safaris, fishing safaris, and, on summer weekend evenings, sunset tours that include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café. The Butterfly Habitat is included with your visit and you can explore it before or after your tour. There are also WildeCamps, a Family Overnight Program, and education programs during the summer, and the park hosts events from weddings to corporate retreats.

Birders should know about the Birding Station at Jeffrey Point, an outdoor observation deck just off State Route 284 that’s free and open year-round. Because it sits outside the main gate, you can use it outside regular park hours.

Winter at The Wilds (November to April)

Most people picture The Wilds as a summer trip, but some of my favorite memories are from the winter. From November 1 through April 30, when the regular open-air tours stop running, The Wilds offers a handful of pre-registered winter tours in small groups of up to about six people, using an enclosed heated vehicle rather than the open-air bus. They’re quieter, more personal, and you often have the guide’s full attention.

There are six winter tours, each with a slightly different focus. The Winter Wildside Tour is the classic winter drive through the pastures, much like the summer Wildside but in a heated vehicle. The Rhino Barn Tour takes you behind the scenes to see the rhinos in their winter housing, while the Carnivore Conservation Tour centers on the cheetahs, painted dogs, and dholes at the Carnivore Center. If you’re bringing kids, the Horses and Hot Chocolate Tour is a gentle, family-friendly visit with the Przewalski’s horses. Rounding out the list, the Behind-the-Scenes Tour goes into the working side of the park, and the Birding Tours make the most of the winter raptors and grassland birds.

Winter tours book up, so reserve ahead, and dress far warmer than you think you need to. The pastures are exposed and the wind can be biting.

When Is the Best Time to Visit The Wilds?

For the full experience, come between May and October, when the open-air tours run daily and every activity is open. Late spring and early fall are lovely, with mild weather and smaller crowds than the peak of summer. High summer brings green pastures, wildflowers, and the most active animals, though it can get hot and busy on weekends.

If you want quiet and don’t mind the cold, a winter tour is a special way to see the park with hardly anyone else around. Just remember the choices are more limited and you need to book in advance. The park is generally open daily from around 8:45am to 4pm in season, but always check current hours before you go, since the last tours leave well before closing.

How to Get to The Wilds

The Wilds is at 14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732, out in a rural corner of southeast Ohio, and the only practical way to get there is by car. I couldn’t find any public transport that reaches it, though you could book a taxi or rideshare if you had to.

It’s roughly 75 miles from Columbus (about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive), around 20 to 25 miles from Zanesville (about 35 minutes), and about 140 miles from Cleveland (roughly 2.5 hours). If you’re coming from further afield, the town of Cumberland is your landmark. There’s a $9 per vehicle parking fee unless you’re a member, so keep a little cash or a card handy when you arrive.

Accessibility at The Wilds

The visitor areas at The Wilds are generally accessible for those with reduced mobility and wheelchair users, and they meet ADA guidelines. The tour buses and shuttles can accommodate a wheelchair, and you can note that you need a wheelchair space when you book. The Wilds also runs dedicated ADA tours at set times (typically 10am and 1pm), so it’s worth asking about those when you reserve.

Most of the tour is spent riding in the vehicle, with a couple of optional stops where you can get out to see the aviary (a short walk) and the carnivores (a slightly longer one). As with anywhere, I’d call ahead to talk through any specific needs before booking.

I can vouch for how well this works in practice. In 2023 I brought my grandmother here for her 103rd birthday, and she uses a wheelchair. The open-air tour handled it without any fuss, and I’ve written more about that visit further down.

Where to Eat at The Wilds

There are three places to grab food inside the park: the Overlook Café, the Terrace Grill, and the Safari Snack Depot. Between them you’ll find burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken, salads, snacks, ice cream, and drinks including beer and wine at the café. The Overlook Café has a nice view over the pastures, and the summer evening safari programs include a buffet dinner there.

Note that some of the food options close during the winter months, so if you’re visiting on a winter tour it’s smart to eat before you arrive or bring your own snacks.

Can You Stay Overnight at The Wilds?

Yes, and staying overnight is one of the best ways to experience the park if you can swing it. You can stay right inside The Wilds, or you can base yourself in one of the nearby towns and drive in.

Staying Inside the Park

There are a few options inside The Wilds. The most talked-about are the luxury yurts at Nomad Ridge, which are adults-only (21 and over) and built on raised platforms with screened windows, private bathrooms, and a deck for watching wildlife from your own porch. The yurt season runs May 1 through October 31.

For families and larger groups, there are cabins around Straker Lake that sleep up to six, and The Lodge, a six-bedroom cabin with a full kitchen, fireplace, and its own canoes and fishing gear. There’s also the Hellbender RV Campground if you’re traveling with an RV or want to camp.

The Wilds runs seasonal Adventure Yurt packages that pair a two-night weeknight yurt stay with a Wildside Safari or a Zipline Safari, and these typically include breakfast and dinner, a complimentary Open-Air Safari, and savings when you book your lodging and tour together. The exact terms and prices change through the season, so I won’t quote you a nightly rate here. Check the lodging pages or call to book, since availability is limited and the yurts fill up fast. One thing to know: no pets are allowed anywhere on the property, including the lodging or left in your vehicle, though service animals are of course welcome.

Where to Stay Near The Wilds

If you’d rather stay off-site, you’ll find hotels in the nearby towns of Caldwell, Cambridge, Zanesville, and Marietta. The closest is Caldwell, which sits in rural Noble County (we’ve got a whole Noble County travel guide if you want to explore the wider area). Here are four well-reviewed options at a range of drive times:

• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Caldwell. A well-priced 2-star hotel with en-suite rooms, free continental breakfast, free parking, and wheelchair-accessible rooms. About 25 minutes from The Wilds and the closest of the four.
• Baymont by Wyndham, Cambridge. A 2-star hotel with en-suite rooms, in-room microwaves, free parking, and included breakfast. Just over 30 minutes away.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, Zanesville. A 2-star hotel in downtown Zanesville with coffee makers, refrigerators, free parking, an indoor hot tub, and wheelchair-accessible rooms. Around 30 minutes away.
• Comfort Suites, Marietta. A 3-star hotel with an indoor heated pool and fitness center, in-room microwaves and fridges, and wheelchair-accessible rooms. It’s pet friendly (fee applies) and about 50 minutes away.

You can see more properties and compare prices for lodging near The Wilds here.

How Does The Wilds Relate to the Columbus Zoo?

This is one of the questions I get asked most, and the short answer is that The Wilds is part of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium family. The land is held by a nonprofit, the International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals, and the park is managed and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, which also runs Zoombezi Bay. So while it’s about 75 miles east of the zoo itself, you can think of it as the zoo’s vast open-range conservation and breeding center.

The connection runs deep. Jack Hanna, the former director of the Columbus Zoo who did so much to put both the zoo and The Wilds on the map, held the title of Director Emeritus at both before he retired in 2021. I happened to attend the same college he did, which is part of why The Wilds was always on my radar growing up. The animals you can’t see here, like gorillas and other primates, are the ones you’d go to the Columbus Zoo to visit. The two make a natural pair for an Ohio trip.

Our Experience Visiting The Wilds

As I mentioned, I grew up near The Wilds without ever visiting, even though several people I knew in college did research internships here. Once I’d moved away, I finally started coming back. I’ve visited three times now, in different seasons and on different tours, so I’ll walk through each visit in turn.

A Winter Tour in 2014

On a return trip to see my family in November 2014, I finally made it here, and Ethan and I booked the Winter at the Wilds tour. It was a cold day, so we were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves. We arrived at the parking lot and within a couple of minutes were met by someone from the park management team and then our guide, a member of the animal management team.

The winter tour is a lot like the regular Wildside tour, except that instead of an open-air vehicle we were in an enclosed heated one. We could roll the windows down to take photos when we wanted, which was all we needed. You can’t get out inside the open animal enclosures, but you do get to walk around other areas like the Carnivore Center and, when the animals are inside, the barns.

A Bit of Ecology and Conservation

Our first stop wasn’t to see wildlife at all, but a restoration project run by the Wilds’ Restoration Ecology department. Rachael and Kelsey, who were hard at work in the wetlands, talked to us about the conservation work there and showed us a clever water system they use to monitor and maintain the wetlands.

It was a good reminder that a visit to The Wilds is about far more than the animals. There are nearly 10,000 acres here, with all kinds of ecosystems. Strip mining did real damage to the land and streams in this area, and it’s something to see the recovery that the people at The Wilds have brought about. If you’re into ecology, botany, water management, birding, or insects, tell your guide, because there’s almost always some environmental project underway.

The Big Cats and Dogs

The next major stop was the Carnivore Center, where you can get out of the vehicle and walk around to see the animals from several viewing points. During our visit there were painted dogs, dholes, and cheetahs. A word of warning: stay well back from the African painted dog enclosures, because they’re not friendly puppies.

I’d never seen a dhole before, though a friend of mine in college used to talk about them from her time working here. They’re very cute canines, native to Asia, that look a bit like a fox. The breeding and research at The Wilds is aimed at helping threatened and endangered species survive, and the cheetah program has been a real success, with the first cheetah cubs born here in 2010.

The Open Range Pastures

The rest of the tour was spent driving through the open-range enclosures, which hold the vast majority of the animals: camels, bison, zebra, southern white rhinos, wild horses, ostrich, giraffes, and all sorts of deer and antelope, plus the native species like local deer, birds, and the occasional coyote.

Because the animals live in such large spaces, you’ll see some up close while others stay hidden in the trees or near the lake. On our visit we only caught distant views of the ostriches, who preferred the far side of the lake. But we got a good look at most of the animals and were able to get within touching distance (no touching, of course) of several who happily ignored our vehicle. The Sichuan takin were new to me, and there were plenty of them alongside deer, horses, and antelope, some of the deer already losing their antlers as they do over winter. The camels are the comedians of the group, curious enough to come right up to the vehicle, their humps flopping around as the older ones walk.

We did miss one thing that day. A white rhino calf had been born only a day or two before our visit, so the team was keeping everyone away from the winter barns to avoid disturbing the newborn, which meant we couldn’t see the giraffes, zebra, or rhinos that were housed inside. We completely understood. It turned out the calf, later named Letterman, was the first fifth-generation white rhino born outside of Africa, which says a lot about the breeding and conservation program here.

A Summer Open-Air Safari in 2017

In the summer of 2017 I came back with my husband Laurence, and this time we took the open-air safari, the tour most people do. It ran about two hours in an open-air bus, and it was a completely different feeling to visit on a hot summer day instead of bundled up against the cold. The green grass, full trees, and wildflowers made the whole park feel alive.

We saw many of the same animals I’d met in 2014, plus a few I’d missed on the winter tour: the parakeets in the small aviary, the giraffes, the white rhinos (at a distance), and the ostriches. We also got to watch the takin up close as they fought, played, and generally carried on right next to our vehicle. It reminded me a little of a safari I once did in Africa, which isn’t something I ever expected to say about southeast Ohio!

My Grandmother’s 103rd Birthday in 2023

My most recent visit is my favorite. In June 2023 we came back to celebrate my grandmother’s 103rd birthday, and four generations of the family turned out for it, right down to some of the great-grandchildren. We booked the standard open-air safari, and I was a little unsure how it would go, since my grandmother uses a wheelchair. I needn’t have worried. The tour accommodated her chair easily, the weather was gorgeous, and she spent the whole ride delighted (if a little shaken up by the bumps in the road!).

What got me was watching her see animals in person that she’d only ever seen on television. When the giraffes came into view, her face lit up. At 103, on a warm June morning in Ohio, she was meeting a giraffe for the first time! That’s the visit I think of now when someone asks whether The Wilds is worth it, and whether it works for all ages and abilities. It does.

Is The Wilds Worth Visiting?

Yes. If you find yourself anywhere in this part of Ohio, The Wilds is well worth the trip. It’s not a substitute for a true African safari, and it doesn’t pretend to be, but there are very few places in the United States where you can watch rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs roaming across open pastures, all on land that was once a strip mine. On top of that, it’s a serious research and conservation center doing real work for endangered species, which makes the whole visit feel like more than a day out.

I’d give yourself at least half a day, book the open-air safari if it’s your first time, and consider the Wildside or an overnight yurt stay if you want to go deeper. The Wilds delivers for families with young kids, for couples after a quiet weekend, and, as I found, for someone bringing a 103-year-old grandmother to meet a giraffe. For me, it was the chance to finally appreciate a remarkable place I’d overlooked in my own backyard.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting The Wilds

Is The Wilds worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you’re already in central or southeast Ohio. It’s one of very few places in the country where you can see rhinos, giraffes, and cheetahs roaming across nearly 10,000 acres of open pasture.

It isn’t a replacement for an African safari, but as a day out and a working conservation center it more than earns the drive. I’ve taken guests of all ages, from young children to my 103-year-old grandmother, and everyone has enjoyed it.

What animals will I see at The Wilds?

You can expect rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, camels, bison, zebra, ostriches, wild horses, and many kinds of deer and antelope, along with rarer species like Sichuan takin, Père David’s deer, Persian onagers, dholes, and African painted dogs.

Because the animals live in large open ranges, sightings vary from tour to tour. Your guide will help you find the ones you most want to see.

Does The Wilds have gorillas, chimpanzees, or other primates?

No. The Wilds focuses on hoofed animals, rhinos, and carnivores like cheetahs and painted dogs, rather than great apes or monkeys.

If you want to see gorillas, chimpanzees, or other primates, those live at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, about 75 miles west. The two make a good pairing on an Ohio trip.

Is The Wilds safe? Have animals ever attacked visitors?

It’s a safe, well-run park. You view the grazing animals from the tour vehicle, and the carnivores are kept in secure enclosures that you see from designated viewing platforms, so you’re never in an open space with a predator.

Guides give you clear instructions at each stop, and the main rule is simple: stay in or near the vehicle unless your guide tells you otherwise, and don’t reach out to touch the animals.

When is the best time to visit The Wilds?

May through October is the main season, when the open-air tours run daily and everything is open. Late spring and early fall give you mild weather and thinner crowds, while high summer is greenest and busiest.

For a quiet, unusual visit, book one of the small-group winter tours that run from November through April. Just be ready for the cold and more limited options.

How is The Wilds related to the Columbus Zoo?

The Wilds is managed and operated by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, so it’s part of the same family, even though it sits about 75 miles east of the zoo.

Think of it as the zoo’s large open-range conservation and breeding center, where animals that need space to roam are cared for and bred.

How long should I spend at The Wilds?

Plan on at least three hours for an open-air safari visit, which covers the roughly two-hour tour plus the shuttle rides and time for the Butterfly Habitat, shops, and food.

If you add a Wildside tour, a zipline, or a meal, you can easily fill a full day, and an overnight stay lets you spread it out further.

Can you camp or stay overnight at The Wilds?

Yes. Inside the park you can stay in the adults-only luxury yurts at Nomad Ridge, in family cabins around Straker Lake, in the six-bedroom Lodge, or at the Hellbender RV Campground.

Overnight stays run in the May to October season and often come with tour discounts. They book up early, so reserve well ahead if you want one.

How do you get to The Wilds and where is it?

The Wilds is at 14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732, in southeast Ohio. The only practical way to reach it is by car.

It’s about 1.5 to 2 hours from Columbus, roughly 35 minutes from Zanesville, and around 2.5 hours from Cleveland. There’s a $9 per vehicle parking fee.

Is The Wilds still open?

Yes. The Wilds is open and operating, with its regular season running daily from May 1 through October 31 and pre-booked winter tours from November through April.

All tours must be booked online in advance, so check current hours and availability on the official site before you go.

Planning Your Visit

The official Wilds website is the best place to check current tours, prices, and hours and to book your visit. You can also call them at 740-638-5030 or follow their Facebook page, where they post recent photos and the occasional discount.

If you’re making a trip of it, there’s plenty more to do in the area. Take a look at things to do around Zanesville and wider tourism information for Ohio. For more Ohio trip ideas, see our guides to Amish Country in Ohio and, over on our sister site, things to do in Sandusky on Lake Erie.

Have you visited The Wilds, or are you planning a trip and have a question? As always, feel free to ask us anything or share your own experience in the comments below.

Disclosure: We received complimentary tours at The Wilds as press on our earlier visits. As always, this article reflects only our own opinions. You can read more about how we work in our Ethics Code.