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Tennessee safari park provides unforgettable experiences.

Photo credit: Jeff Adkins

Claude M. Conley was only 15 years old when he started raising exotic animals on his family’s Crockett County farm in 1963. He began his unusual animal collection with buffalo, peacocks, elk and fallow deer on the same land where his family had been raising cotton and cattle since 1850.

“My father grew up reading about animals and visiting zoos, and he dedicated his life to raising exotic animals,” Claude H. Conley II says. “Today, our family has more than 1,300 exotic animals representing over 100 species.”

The Conley family knew they had something special on their quirky 800-acre farm in Alamo. So in 2007, Claude H. Conley II and his brother, Jon Wesley Conley, opened the farm to the public as a drive-through zoo experience called Tennessee Safari Park .

“We always knew we were going to open a zoo, but we were too busy farming,” Claude H. Conley II says. “We made the decision to open it in 2003, but it took us until 2007 to make it happen. A lot of people told us we couldn’t do it – they said it would never happen.”

But those naysayers were wrong. In its first year, Tennessee Safari Park welcomed 2,500 visitors.

“All the money we made from admission we put back into the park, adding new animals each year,” Conley says. “The number of visitors grows each year. In 2018, we had more than 85,000 visitors.”

A Wild Ride

What draws people to pull off Interstate 40 and spend a few hours touring a drive-through zoo, you ask? Curiosity, for one. Where else do ostriches, buffalo, camels and emus walk right up to your car window looking for a snack?

“Everybody can feed our animals through their car window, and people love interacting with the animals,” Conley says. “At our walk-through area, you can even feed a giraffe.”

Feeding the exotic animals can be a hilarious experience, since they are often eager to eat and have been known to put their entire head inside your car in search of food. They’ve also been known to snatch not only the food, but your entire food bucket. (Consider yourself warned.)

Photo by Jeff Adkins

Committed to Conservation

Environmentalists especially appreciate the opportunity to get up close and personal with rare and endangered animals, getting to stroke their velvety soft skin or fur. The reality is Tennessee Safari Park is more than a tourist attraction – it’s a dedicated conservational breeding center for rare and endangered creatures.

“We’ve always been committed to conservation, and it’s been really fun to watch our animal collection grow,” Conley says. “Because we breed animals, there are lots of babies everywhere. We also have about 300 animals that are not in the park and remain off exhibit.”

See more:  Nashville Zoo Exhibit Showcases Heritage Breed Farm Animals

If the past is any indication of the future, Tennessee Safari Park will continue to thrive under the Conley family’s leadership in years to come. Conley’s two young sons, Claude III (age 7) and Caleb (age 3), are the sixth generation to grow up on the farm and are already learning the ropes.

If You Go ...

Tennessee Safari Park

Location: 618 Conley Rd., Alamo

Phone: (731) 696-4423

Website: tennesseesafaripark.com

Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. (Last car in at 4 p.m.)

Admission: $20 for adults and $12 for children ages 2 to 12. Animal feed costs $3 per cup, or 4 cups for $10. Tennessee Farm Bureau members can download a mobile or printed coupon for $2 off admission (maximum of six per party) at tnfarmbureau.org/membersavings or through the app.

Know Before You Go: You’ll know you’ve arrived at Tennessee Safari Park when you see the Conley family’s historic large white house, a fixture on the property since 1862. You can purchase buckets of food before navigating the 5.5-mile drive-through in your car. Then visitors can park and tour the walk-through zoo on foot, where you’ll see several types of monkeys, colorful birds and other creatures. Make time to visit the gift shop and eat at the Tennessee Safari Park Grill, which offers burgers, hot dogs, nachos and other snacks.

Travel Tip: Allow about three hours to tour the park. Cash only is accepted at the ticket booth; credit cards are accepted in the gift shop. The grill is open seasonally on weekends.

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Have visited Safari Park se stall times. Always fun.

Wonderful visit on May the 2nd 2021. Wonderful! I appreciate the lovely place who have provided for these animals to live. You park is a jewel. I do have a question . Where do the animals go in the winter? Like the ostrich and giraffe? Thank y’all for you’re dedication. My family had a blast.

Your pricing information is not current. As of today, 2/25/2022 their prices are as follows as per their website. –

Admission to the Park $20 ADULTS $12 KIDS AGES 2-12 YEARS Children 1 and under FREE

Feed Cups $3 each or four cups for $10

OPEN EVERYDAY EXCEPT CHRISTMAS EVE, CHRISTMAS DAY AND THANKSGIVING *CASH ONLY AT THE GATE *NO DOGS OR OUTSIDE ANIMALS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PARK AT ANYTIME-ANYWHERE

Hi Wendy, thanks for the update! The pricing information in the article has been updated.

Rachel Graf Associate editor, TN Home & Farm

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WELCOME TO TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK

Feed Cup Pricing $3 each or four Cups for $10

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Former Nashville Zoo site eyed for exotic animal park

Alamo-based tennessee safari park owner targets cheatham county.

• William Williams
• Jun 16, 2016
• Jun 16, 2016 Updated Apr 19, 2021

The owner of West Tennessee-based Tennessee Safari Park is considering the Cheatham County site once home to the Nashville Zoo for a similar exotic wildlife cultural attraction.

Jon Conley, who serves as director of the Alamo-based park located about 80 miles northeast of Memphis, has the Nashville-area property under contract.

“We are very excited about this project,” Conley said. “Currently our attorneys and I are working on the due diligence of closing the property transaction so commenting further would be premature.”

Conley declined to say when he will close on the purchase or the acquisition price.

Members of the Ferdowsi family, who are based in Nashville and are respected for their involvement with both the former zoo and the current Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, own the 135-acre Cheatham County property.

If he acquires the land, Conley would redesign what is left of the former zoo site, which is located northwest of Joelton and off Interstate 24. He would call the family attraction Nashville Safari Park. (See the property, accessed via Ridge Circle, here courtesy of Google Maps. Zoom out to see the location related to downtown Nashville.)

Located on a former farm owned by the Conley Family since 1858 and opened in 2007, Tennessee Safari Park is home to about 175 species and 1,000 animals, including camel, elk, giraffe, kangaroo, llama, ostrich and spider monkey (though no large predatory animals, great apes or oceanic mammals). Visitors can drive a six-mile path and/or can walk through a segment featuring primates and an interactive nursery.

"The park works very hard to preserve rare, endangered or threatened species — of which most of the park’s species consist — through propagation and education," Conley said.

Tennessee Safari Park, which bills itself as having the largest collection of exotic animals in a park located east of the Mississippi River, earns high praise on crowd-sourced websites (with rating scales of zero to five).

On tripadvisor.com , Tennessee Safari Park shows a 4.5 rating on 102 reviews. Of note, 63 reviewers describe it as “excellent.”

Of 15 yelp.com reviews, the park has an average score of 4.5.

On facebook.com , the park scores 4.7 based on more than 1,300 reviews.

Conley’s specialty is breeding and raising African antelope, many of which can be seen at some of the “top zoos” in the country, he said.

Conley and his brother Claude, TSP manager, oversee the wildlife park, which spans about 500 acres.

Conley said he and his brother have grown the park every year since its opening and have done so without city, county, state or federal tax dollars.

“This year, we are excited to announce an additional 100 acres with over 100 new animals, of which giraffe will be able to come right up to the visitors’ vehicles,” he said.

Few U.S. cities offer both a conventional zoo and a wildlife park. Las Vegas and Charlotte are the largest without zoos.

Nashville Zoo, which has operated from its Grassmere site in South Nashville since 1998, originally opened on the Cheatham County site in 1991. The property Conley hopes to acquire is marked by rolling hills and, in portions, heavy foliage.

In contrast, Nashville Zoo operates from about 82 acres, with an additional 106 acres being eyed for expansion. The nonprofit leases the land from the Metro Parks Department for a nominal $1 per year.

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Safari Park Takes Flight

Have you ever wanted to look an ostrich in the eye from less than 2 feet away, touch the velvety soft nose of a camel or feed a carrot to a curious giraffe named Jackson? If so, then the Tennessee Safari Park needs to be on your short list of places to visit.

Located in West Tennessee on the Conley Family Century Farm in Alamo, the park gives visitors an up-close opportunity to have all three of these experiences and many more.

With more than 2,600 exotic animals and 250 acres to explore, most visitors begin by purchasing several buckets of feed for their own self-guided driving tour.

The road leads you through four distinct safari areas, each with an array of animals, including camels, ostriches, cranes, many varieties of deer and antelope, wildebeest, alpacas, buffalo, rhea and giraffes.

As you slowly drive through the farm at a speed limit of 5 miles per hour, you can stop anywhere on the road anytime. Animals will approach your vehicle, some out of curiosity but mostly in search of feed. Visitors are instructed to carefully hold the outside of the buckets, keeping fingers out of the way as animals feed. Only animals in the petting zoo may be fed and touched by hand.

The adventure begins as soon as you pull into the first drive-thru area and are welcomed by a menagerie of animals. Riding along with the Fowler family on a hot summer day in July, it was easy to see why the park is a favorite. As Beckett Fowler’s dad, Brett, carefully drove through the park, Beckett’s brother, Aaron, and sisters, Cadence and Paisley, all joined in the adventure.

“I want to go back to the Safari Park and feed them,” says Beckett Fowler after his first visit. “They make me happy.”

Seeing and feeding the animals up close seems to make everyone happy — especially Beckett, who is a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The Safari Park was the perfect place to go to get a break from the treatments that Beckett has been going through,” says his mother, Tammie Fowler. “The amount of laughs and memories we made while his brother and sisters were here for just a short time made the long trip from St. Jude definitely worth it!”

In addition to the drive-thru experience, guests can explore the 20-acre walk-thru area of the park to find more animals such as a wallaby, lemurs, Nigerian dwarf goats, giraffes and parakeets, to name a few.

Having a fun family experience for everyone is one of the guiding principles at the park — as are wildlife conservation and education. Zoos and parks like this one are at the forefront of trying to keep many of these exotic breeds from the brink of extinction.

This family farm began in 1858. The land owned by Tolbert and Cornelia Conley was known as Hillcrest. For more than 100 years, the farm operated as a traditional Crockett County farm with cattle and row crops that included cotton and corn, according to Claude H. Conley II. His father, Claude M. Conley, began to transform the farm in the early 1960s.

As a child, about the same age that his grandkids are today, Claude Sr. had a couple of peacocks and a dream of running his own zoo someday.

“Dad started out in 1963 with his first buffalo, then got some elk and deer,” says Claude H. Conley II. “He had the first privately held buffalo herd in Tennessee. Then as he added more and more, it became something like a petting zoo with zebras and antelope, things like that.”

Today, the farm management is still a family affair. Claude Sr. and his sons, Claude H. and Jon Wesley Conley II, manage the park with several other family members, including Jon’s wife, Whitney. They are the fifth generation of Conleys to do so, and they hope to pass it on to their children.

“My boys, Claude H. III and Caleb, and my brother’s girls, Ava and Sophia, are the sixth generation to grow up here,” says Claude H., a Gibson Electric Membership Corporation member.

The Tennessee Safari Park opened in 2007 with a more limited drive-thru experience. “We had about 2,500 people come through that first year,” says Claude H. “By 2020, with COVID, we had about 500,000.”

Today, visitors’ experiences include the safari drive-thru, a walk-thru petting zoo, aviary and even a new drive-in theatre. Other park amenities include restrooms, snacks and drinks, a gift shop and a picnic area.

The Tennessee Safari Drive-In Theatre is open seasonally with concessions. The 40-by-60-foot screen is near the gift shop. Movies will begin again in October on Friday and Saturday nights. Movie listings can be found by following the Tennessee Safari Drive-In Theatre Facebook page.

The park is solely funded through sales of tickets, which are $24 for adults and $16 for children. “We don’t receive any tax dollars, donations or outside funding,” explains Claude H. “None of it would be possible without our park visitors. Our feed bill alone is over $1 million a year.”

“We hope each visitor leaves here with a better sense of how special these animals are and that they have enjoyed the opportunity to see them up close,” says Claude H. Conley II.

At a glance

Tennessee Safari Park 618 Conley Road Alamo, TN 38001 731-696-4423 tennesseesafaripark.com

Monday–Saturday: Gates open at 10 a.m. Last car in at 4 p.m. Park closes at 5 p.m.

Sunday: Gates open at noon. Last car in at 4 p.m. Park closes at 5 p.m.

Please note that no outside animals or pets are allowed at any time.

Check out the print edition of The Tennessee Magazine for a discount coupon to the Tennessee Safari Park.

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Robin Conover has spent the last 33 years documenting the people and places of Tennessee with The Tennessee Magazine. After graduating from Murray State University, Robin began working for magazine in October 1988 as a communications specialist and photojournalist. She now serves as TECA vice president of communications and editor of The Tennessee Magazine. Her interest in preserving the environment and Tennessee’s beautiful natural areas has led her down many miles of trails to capture thousands of images. Robin is currently a board member of the Friends of Radnor Lake, a nonprofit in Nashville. Robin’s images can be seen in greeting cards, calendars, books and at a few fine-art shows she participates in each year.

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Zebras, camels and llamas, oh my! Tennessee Safari Park is a fun family adventure

When is the last time you had a giant zebra stick its head into your car in search of a snack?

Or have you invited a herd of hungry ostriches to dart their long necks through your rolled down window pecking around for munchies?

These up-close animal experiences and many others — including car visits from big shaggy camels, friendly llamas, behemoth bison, cute little deer, antelopes and emu — can be yours at the  Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tenn., just north of Jackson .

Two hours from Nashville or an hour and a half from Memphis, this unique drive-thru zoo is a perfect day trip for animal-loving families who are up for a little adventure.

Animal adventure

Our group, which consisted of me, my daughter and my 5-year-old and 2 ½-year-old granddaughters, made our trip on a beautiful fall morning.

Despite some initial skepticism, our two hour stay turned out to be a delightful day to remember.

The animals are free-roaming, so you slowly drive your car with windows open along the route and stop wherever you like. If you hold out the buckets, the various safari animals will dig into "exotic pet food" you can buy at the park entrance.

It was super interactive and funny to the point we had to pull the car over and roll up the windows to laugh several times, especially when an overeager ostrich, who we expected would peck a few pellets of food out of the proffered bucket, surprised us by deftly plucking the pretty pink bow out of our toddler's hair.

It caused quite a stir, as did the clever camel that managed to skillfully grab a whole bucket of the feed from my daughter's grip.       

This is an "enter at your own risk" kind of place. You don't have to sign a waiver, but they make it clear that they are not liable.

Admission is $16 for adults, $12 for children 2-12 and free for children 1 and under. It is cash only at the gate. There is a coupon in your Nashville City Saver bookl that will save you $12.   

Buy enough food to keep the animals coming your way along the 5 ½-mile route. We bought eight buckets ($20) of "exotic animal food," which looks like dry dog food. That was plenty of food for our trek, and we brought along a couple of extra empty buckets, as advised by seasoned Safari Park goers, so we could hold some food back from the greedier animals.

Safari Park tips

The drive-thru part of the zoo is 5 ½ miles long and can take about an hour or two to traverse with all of the feeding stops. You can stop anywhere you see the animals coming up.

Park staff gives visitors a quick safety talk where they go over rules and a bit of advice before the cars head out on the safari.

They advise you to brace your feed cup by gripping it from the bottom, but if an animal takes your bucket, (like that camel did) to continue along the route. 

Park rules include: 5 mph maximum speed is, do not honk, and do not get out of the car. No outside food is allowed. Do not litter, smoke or try to pet the animals.

► NASHVILLE ATTRACTIONS: 6 local memberships that save you money if you use them

The best advice is to arrive as close to the 10 a.m. opening time as possible. Pick a day when it is warm enough to comfortably have your car windows rolled down. 

Free-roaming animals include zebra, ostrich, buffalo, giraffe, monkeys, kangaroos, deer, llamas, emu, alpacas, ostriches and camels. 

There is also a walk-through zoo, which includes a petting area with goats, giraffe, pygmy goats, farm animals. exotic birds, and reptiles.

► FUN IN NASHVILLE: 11 tips to make the most of your Nashville Zoo visit

Park history

The exotic animal collection was started in 1963 by Claude Conley Sr. when he was 15 years old and brought in buffalo to the farm, which has been in the Conley family since the 1850s. The collection grew over the years, and the family opened it as a safari park in 2007.

It is now owned by Claude Conley Jr. and Jon Conley and features about 1,000 animals, 100 species and takes up 300 acres of the family's 750-acre working cattle and cotton farm.

Annual attendance is about 80,000 people.

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What : Tennessee Safari Park

Where : 618 Conley Road, Alamo, Tenn., 16 miles off Interstate 40 exit 79

When : The park is open year round. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The last cars are allowed in at 4 p.m. daily.

Parking : Free

Details :  http://www.tennesseesafaripark.com  or 731-696-4423 

Tennessee Safari Park: A Visitors Guide

Everything you need to know about visiting this hidden gem full of animals

If you're looking for a weekend activity for the whole family, you can take the kids to the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee. Its a place to see exotic animals up close and personal. You can even feed some of them. This drive-through park is a definite draw to the rural area. 

Although it is the county seat of Crockett County , Alamo would be relatively unknown if it weren't for its primary claim to fame: hosting the Tennessee Safari Park. Many West Tennessee residents don't even know this park exists, making it one of the area's hidden gems. The park is situated on a working farm that is used for growing cotton and raising cattle.

The Animals

Tennessee Safari Park boasts over 400 animals from 80 different species . Some of the animals you may see on your visit are llamas, zebras, emus, kangaroos, giraffes, monkeys, and warthogs. There are frequently new babies being born at the park so if you are lucky, you may even get a chance to see some little ones during your visit. The park has one of the largest collections of zoo animals in the United States.

The Experience

There are two parts to the park—a two-mile driving tour and a petting zoo. When you enter the park you can purchase a bucket of feed. As you drive through the park, animals will come up to your car looking for food. Many of them will eagerly stick their heads in your car, giving you the opportunity to pet and to feed them. This is a great photo opportunity and a lot of fun for kids and adults.At the petting zoo, you have the opportunity to feed and pet other animals, including a giraffe!

Tickets cost $16 for adults, $12 kids aged 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under.

Buckets of feed cost $3. To save money buy $4 for $10. You'll be glad you have extra feed to attract the animals.

Before You Go

• Currently the Tennessee Safari Park does not accept credit cards or checks so be sure to bring some cash.
• The park is about an hour and a half drive from Memphis and about thirty minutes from Jackson.
• Plan to spend between one and two hours at the park depending upon how crowded it is and how fast or slow you go through the tour.
• Try to visit the park in the morning, if possible. The animals tend to be hungrier and more eager to interact then.
• Visitors are encouraged to purchase buckets of feed to feed the animals. Feeding them outside food is not permitted.
• Pets, including dogs, are not allowed in the park. They might upset the animals.

Hours of Operation

The park is open every day of the year except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving. If there is inclement weather check the park's Facebook Page. Snow and Ice can cause the park to close suddenly so it can protect the animals.

• Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am. - 4 p.m. (that's the time of last admittance although the park closes fully at 5 pm)
• Sunday, 12:00 noon - 4 p.m. (last admittance)

Tennessee Safari Park 637 Conley Road Alamo, TN 38001 www.tennesseesafaripark.com

Updated by Holly Whitfield, January 2018

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Tennessee Safari Park

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Zebras at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee.

Jeff Adkins/Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

A major tourist attraction, Tennessee Safari Park sits on a former cotton and cattle farm in rural Crockett County. Open year-round, the drive-through animal park boasts more than 80 species of exotic animals, ranging from zebras, giraffes, and monkeys to emus, kangaroos, and llamas. The Safari Roads section of the park features 5.5 miles of driving trails, where you can purchase buckets of food to interact with the animals. After making the loop, head to the Petting Zoo for a chance to befriend slightly tamer animals, like pygmy goats and other farm favorites. Do keep in mind that credit cards are not accepted here, so bring cash for admission and other activities.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at [email protected].

Tennessee Safari Park

Entertainment

• 618 Conley Rd Alamo TN 38001
• (731) 696-4423
• Visit Website

Mon-Thurs 10-5 Sunday 12-5 (7 days of the week year round)

NO ZOO LIKE THIS ZOO With its opening in 2007, the Tennessee Safari Park has become one of mid-south's most popular destinations. With more than 1000 animals representing over 100 rare and endangered species, the Tennessee Safari Park demonstrates the importance of the preservation of our wildlife though conservation and education. Drive Thru SafariTOP Come face to face with deer, antelope, wildebeest, ostrich, emu, bison (seasonally) and many more animals as you travel along our 2.5 mile drive thru safari. *Discover new babies frolicking year round! *Enjoy animals interacting in a natural environment. *Witness Mother Nature the way it was intended. **Don?t forget to purchase your feed buckets at the ticket booth. We recommend the 4 for $10! Learn more: COLLECTIONS Walk Thru ZooTOP Explore different habitats of exotic birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals in our walk thru zoo area. *Meet our animal ambassadors throughout the park. *Feed Jerry, the giraffe, a carrot right out of your hand! *Interact with pygmy goats, llamas, and chickens in our petting zoo. *Roam our gift shop to find the perfect keepsake and discover exotic reptiles hidden within. Learn more: COLLECTIONS DirectionsTOP From Nashville/Jackson Take I-40 West towards Memphis to exit 79 towards Alamo (US 412 West). Drive 16 miles, property on left (Conley Rd) From Memphis Take I-40 East t to exit 79 West towards Nashville to exit 79 towards Alamo (US 412 West). Drive 16 miles, property on left (Conley Rd). From Dyersburg Take 412 East (22 miles), right on Conley Drive DisclaimerTOP No pets allowed (many of our animals are very sensitive to new animals and noise) No firearms, alcohol or illegal substances No harassment of animals. Provokers will be asked to leave without refund.

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TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Tennessee Safari Park

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Tennessee Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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Living conditions at Tennessee drive-through safari raise red flags

By: lonnie lee hood - august 3, 2020 5:30 am.

Tennessee Animal Safari. (Photo: Matt Bastin)

On any given day at the Tennessee Safari Park i n Alamo, visitors in vehicles line the gravel driveway for several hundred yards, snaking past the entrance, down the road, and doubling back again to finally enter the park.

Once inside the park visitors can drive through 5.5 miles of safari trail and feed a variety of exotic animals from their vehicles, visit the gift shop, ride a camel, participate in the petting zoo or grab a snack. At each turn, however, are red flags that animal rights experts and activists agree should at least raise questions about the park and its practices.

The Conley family has owned their property and home in West Tennessee since 1858, and the park opened for business in 2007. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit that promotes conservation and animal welfare. Multiple animal experts told Tennessee Lookout a lack of AZA accreditation was problematic, including Phil Colclough, director of animal care at Zoo Knoxville. 

“The benchmark for any zoological organization is accreditation through AZA,” Colclough said. “If they don’t meet that standard—that’s not to say there aren’t good zoos outside that—but that’s the benchmark I’ve worked with my whole career.”

Colclough said it was unlikely other drive-through parks where visitors feed animals are AZA accredited. While the AZA could not be reached for comment, a similar drive-through park in Huntsville, AL, is also not AZA accredited. Other Tenneseee locations approved by the AZA are the Nashville Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo and Zoo Knoxville.

The Tennessee Safari Park had serious compliance issues listed on USDA inspection reports, including six in 2016. That report listed a ferret in need of grooming services, expired medicine in the drug cabinet, unsafe and uncomfortable living conditions for rabbits, a loose wallaby, a lack of fresh, clean water and bug infestations in some animals’ living areas.

In 2017, a USDA report stated the issues had been resolved and a new veterinarian hired for the park, but a recent trip to the zoo suggested many of these problems are still occurring. On July 18, the Lookout photographed multiple empty water and feed troughs throughout the park as well as a muddy drainage ditch emptying into the pasture near animals. The temperature was above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and animals were gathered in groups under small metal sheds for shade or under sparse tree coverage.

Bison were observed panting heavily and almost all the animals were in a large, pastured area with seemingly little enrichment. The park does have some tree trunks, dirt and rock piles and at least one bamboo grove which seemed to provide enrichment and terrain variety. In the open drive-through area, the Lookout observed three employees. Dozens of vehicles with feed buckets purchased at the gate fed animals unsupervised and unattended.

Additionally, a deer was photographed licking what appeared to be an open wound and tt least one barbed wire fence was broken and one employee was observed tossing an empty Gatorade bottle from his ATV inside the pasture near multiple species. 

Debbie Metzler, Associate Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement at PETA, reviewed footage and photographs taken at the park with her team. Metzler and her team said the drainage pipe emptying into the animal enclosure was both a trip hazard and seemed too dirty for drinking. While other plastic bins of water were located throughout the park, the Lookout could not observe how much water was inside. 

The PETA team said it was concerning that three empty water troughs were photographed in the park, including in a kookaburra enclosure and the larger pasture area containing bison, ostriches, deer and other animals.

“Animals should have access to water at all times, especially during the summer months,” Metzler said.

Metzler also said the USDA has been less aggressive and reliable in recent years due to administration changes, and that it was not uncommon for issues to go unreported. Metlzer said in 2017, the USDA’s website was “blacked out” and that multiple organizations filed lawsuits to get inspection reports back online. Since then, Metzler said the search function hasn’t been as robust, and other changes in reporting make violations seem less serious than they are.

“They’ve adapted a new tactic they call ‘Teachable Moments.’ Previous violations aren’t allowed to be a teachable moment,” Metzler said. “How is no water a teachable moment? They should not have to be taught, they should be things the exhibitor is aware of. If they’re not providing that they need to be held accountable.”

Metzler a lso said unsupervised feeding can be harmful. At the Safari Park, visitors feed  bison, ostriches, giraffes, zebras and deer the same pellet food despite individual dietary needs. While the park’s website said animals receive more nutritional food before and after the park closes, Metzler said there’s no way to know what, and how much, the animals consume during visitor feedings.

“If those feedings aren’t closely monitored, how do they know how much the animals are getting? What’s to prevent people from giving them something harmful?” Metzler said.

Metzler said the kind of care and attention each animal needs is hard to give in a park this size. A previous USDA report listed 830 regulated animals, which does not include unregulated species like ponies or ostriches. Metzler said even that number makes it easier to miss an open wound and harder to monitor feeding practices, but park owner Jon Conley said in an email statement there are more than 2,000 animals at the park.

Multiple individuals have recorded and posted videos of animals that bite, possibly because the interactions aren’t closely monitored. On July 6, a young man was gored by a bison, requiring stitches and causing what may be permanent disfigurement. The young man’s family posted about the attack on Facebook, which happened during a feeding, and the plastic surgery required afterwards. The family was not available for comment, but Conley confirmed the incident in an email statement to Tennessee Lookout.

If you have to put up a sign warning somebody of an activity that you're sanctioning, maybe the activity shouldn't be happening.

– Phil Colclaugh, Knoxville Zoo

Other visitors have posted negative reviews about animal living conditions and ostrich bites . On the park’s website, an entire FAQ question is dedicated to debunking the idea that ostriches bite, despite video evidence. Metlzer also said ostriches are notoriously aggressive animals. 

Jon Conley, who helped open the park in 2007, responded to the Lookout’s inquiries about living conditions and safety at the park in an email statement. Beginning with the question about a wounded animal, Conley inferred the Lookout was asking about an injured bison, and described a 16-year old female that rubs sores or open wounds onto herself by scratching. While the Lookout was in fact referring to an injured deer, Conley said the female bison and her calf had been moved from exhibition out of public view. Conley also said there were no empty water troughs on the park.

“We have no empty water troughs anywhere in the park. If you have a photo of an empty or low water trough, that was being used to medicate a particular animal,” Conley said.

Conley said the drainage pipe observed is used to wash cups at a small sink, and that it does not extend into an animal enclosure, despite photo evidence of it emptying into the pasture.

Conley said that empty feed troughs were a sign park employees were doing their jobs, as they do not want to overfeed animals or waste food. Conley said these troughs are also used to medicate animals. He said he is an expert in his field and would provide more enrichment for animals if he thought they required it. 

When asked about the sale of exotic species, Conley said the information is private and declined to share how much profit the park makes on animal sales. The park’s website states it provides exotic species for conservation efforts “all over the world,” and Conley said a “local AZA zoo” has acquired animals from the park. Because some of the species at the park are not regulated by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , no records of animal transfers or sales were available for reference. 

“ Due to the terrorist-like behavior by many of these radical animal rights groups we do not share this information and we purposefully keep most of our transactions private,” Conley said. “[We’ve] been requested to supply breeding groups of African animals for [a] new exhibit, which we respectfully declined.”

Conley said profitability is important and intentionally chose not to join the “country club” AZA. Conley said he is instead a member of the Zoological Association of America. The president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States wrote that the ZAA worked to weaken the Endangered Species Act and advocates for private ownership of exotic, dangerous species. The post stated that ZAA accredits facilities that don’t meet the AZA’s strict standards. 

While the Lookout was not able to obtain tax documents showing exact income, Conley said the park hosts thousands of visitors per day. Adult admission to the park is $16. If 2,500 adult visitors went through the park it would generate $40,000 in revenue in a day.

“Unlike city zoos with their hands out for governmental taxation, grants and donations  we knew long term these practices are not sustainable and begging people and businesses for donations or loans are not the right answers,” Conley said.

On the bison that attacked the young man on site, Conley said it was unfortunate but maintained the family’s story “doesn’t add up,” and said the vehicle was too small for a bison to fit its head inside the window.

“The only logical conclusion is the man in question stuck [his] body outside the window, [fed] and or petted the bison,” Conley said. “We have a video that will clearly show everyone and the jury that the park nor the animal was at fault. Once our attorneys give us the go ahead we will be happy to release the video on social media. This will clear this misconception and slander over our animals and our park.”

The park has multiple signs in various areas warning visitors that animals bite and that bison can cause damage to vehicles. The park’s site also states no outside animals are allowed on the premises—including service animals—as this may agitate an attack or end in pets being harmed. Metzler said if animals are aggressive, it’s best not to allow the public near.

“I would not recommend it,” Metzler said. “Obviously animal welfare is our top priority, but hand in hand with that is public safety. The animal suffers because they’re blamed for doing what’s natural to them.”

Colclough agreed and said the activity should be limited if animals are aggressive.

“If you have to put a sign up warning somebody of an activity that you’re sanctioning, maybe the activity shouldn’t be happening,” Colclough said.

Conley said in his email statement he would post the transcript on social media to prevent the Lookout from piecing his words together to fit “an agenda.” However, the Lookout was able to find some areas Colclough said the park was not out of line, including camel rides. He said camels are domesticated animals and that riding them isn’t inherently bad provided their living conditions are satisfactory.”

Not every practice at the park is inherently bad or abusive, but living conditions and other red flags raised concerns customers should be aware of before visiting. As so many park signs read, visitors agree to pay, explore and feed at their own risk.

Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our website. AP and Getty images may not be republished. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of any other photos and graphics.

Lonnie Lee Hood

Lonnie Lee Hood is a queer Nashville-based writer covering justice, LGBTQ issues and more. They are an amateur roller-skater and live with their hedgehog, Noodle, and three-legged cat, Tom. They are writing a debut novel and have published poetry and sci-fi/fantasy short stories.

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Tennessee Safari Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Tennessee Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Tennessee Safari Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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Tennessee Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sun 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Mon - Sat 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• (3.38 km) Green Frog Farm Bed & Breakfast Cabins
• (3.42 km) The Cotton Gin Cabin bed and breakfast
• (4.70 km) Rama Inn
• (3.45 km) The Holly House log cabin, 100-year-old historic setting
• (3.63 km) A log cabin in the Pines
• (1.51 km) Subway
• (1.44 km) Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
• (2.96 km) TN-Q BBQ
• (3.75 km) McDonald's
• (7.45 km) Bob's Burgers, Pasta and Pizza

About Dunlap RV

We Treat Everyone Like Family!

RVing has become an incredibly popular pastime for individuals throughout the country. For some, it’s a great way to get away with the family once a year. For others, it’s a full-time way of life they wouldn’t trade for the world. At Family RV, our goal is to help all recreational vehicle owners get the most out of their RV lifestyle.

Family RV is now part of the RV Retailer Family of Stores with 90+ RV dealerships across the country. You can currently find us up and down the East Coast and throughout the Midwest and all the way over the west coast. We strive to provide the greatest customer experience from sales to service, from coast to coast.

Our RV dealers provide extensive inventories containing more than 2,000 new and used RVs. We also offer exceptional RV repair and service with numerous service bays throughout our locations in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. Of course, we provide all your RV parts and accessories as well.

With RV Complete VIP 1 Year Membership included with every purchase of a new and used RV, you can feel safe and secure that no matter where you are located, we will assist you.

To ensure our guests receive the best possible treatment, we staff each dealership with the best people in the business. Our dealers are run by expert sales associates and service technicians, and our leadership team offers over 200 years of automotive and recreational vehicle experience.

RVs are designed for memorable journeys, and we believe shopping for one should be a one-of-a-kind experience as well. Whether you’re searching for the latest Class C motorhome or a reliable new travel trailer or fifth wheel, come see us at your local Family RV store — your destination for all things RV.

We look forward to serving you.

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Monday-Sunday

Last tour one hour before closing time

865-919-5072

Please call if you need more information.

Buy tickets

Wagon rides are available by appointment only

Briarwood Ranch Safari Park features animals from around the world. On your scenic, four-mile safari through beautiful hills and pasture lands, you will experience animals from six continents.

Visit Today

Take plenty of time to study their behavior from the safety of your own car.

Be sure to bring your camera. You may want to ride on tractor pulled wagons or enjoy a lazy afternoon in our petting zoo.

See our gallery

See photos of some of the animals in the park.

Inside the gallery are some of the animals you will encounter when you visit the park.

The Park is OPEN 9AM-5PM Mon-Sun (Weather Permitting) Please call 865-919-5072 if you need more information.

All About Skyland Ranch

New smoky mountain theme park wild stallion mountain coaster  & skyland ranch are now open see my ride the first day sevierville, tn  .

This exciting, new theme park attraction is opening any day now in Sevierville and I am really excited because Sevierville is growing fast .  I am sure it is going to be a huge hit!

See All My Cabin Recommendations Here

Cabins  with Indoor Private Pools

10 Surprising  Things About Sevierville

Unique & Unusual Cabins in the Smoky Mountains

Stay in a Treehouse

What is Skyland Ranch?

A brand new $40 million project and very unique  100-acre farm & western themed attraction that includes:

A Hybrid style, S cenic Chairlift to the top

The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster 

Live entertainment & festivals, seasonal celebrations

Safari Hayride

"Skyland Shootout"  BB Gun Shooting Range

Miniature farm animals like cows and donkeys to interact with

"Legacy Lookout" - A wide, scenic walkway suspended bridge

Canopy walks

Kid's Play area - Buckaroo Play Barn

Food Barn & Trucks

Bakery & Candy Shop

A variety of shops including a Christmas shop & Toy Store

Event Center (See more below)   including Line Dancing Friday and Saturday nights

Skyland Ranch is geared toward people of all ages.

The former site of t he Ogle family farm has a lot of history, and that history will be honored throughout the park.  Demonstrations of farm and ranch life will also be held in different areas.  The atmosphere is   very family friendly   with places to relax around several firepits.

Where is Skyland Ranch?

1620 Parkway, Sevierville, TN

Right across the main Parkway (441) from Tanger Outlets and next door to Five Oaks Farm Kitchen.

There is a great view of Skyland Ranch chair lift from Five Oak Farm Kitchen, which I HIGHLY recommend eating at, by the way.

Is Skyland Ranch Open?  When is Skyland Ranch Opening?

The Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster (see video of my ride here ) is also open!  The opening date was  November 4, 2022 . 

Skyland Ranch intends to be open 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

What about  Parking?

Parking is free.   There will be 400-500 spaces to park near the entrance and overflow parking will be across the Parkway, with free shuttle service bringing guest back and forth.

Who owns Skyland Ranch?

Mark and Lisa Williford, the same owners of the very popular and successful Rowdy Bear Adventure Parks in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. 

Horizon Skyride

At the main entrance, you will buy your tickets for this hybrid chairlift.  This is how you will take the 9-minute ride up to the top of Skyland Ranch . You will have the option of an open air cabin or a chair. 

There will also be a   drive-up  shuttle option for those who don't want to ride up on the chairlift.   

Souvenir photos can also be purchased.

The views of the Smoky Mountains from the top will be gorgeous, and at night, the city view will be just as beautiful. 

Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster

The longest mountain coaster in the Southeast!  With beautiful views!

O ver a mile long.  The Skyland Mountain Coaster is a single car with a brake, so you are in full control of your ride. There is a spot for a child to sit in front and ride with an adult.

Will have a 375 pound weight limit, so everyone can ride! 

Also, you DO NOT have to enter the chairlift or the theme park to ride the Wild Stallion Mountain Coaster!

See my ride video here!

Legacy Lookout

Wide scenic walkway bridge that rises 350 feet above the Sevierville & Pigeon Forge Parkway for beautiful 360-degree views of the entire area.

The mountain coaster winds its way under and around the bridge too.  The views from the coaster and from the Lookout are wonderful! Nothing else like it. 

Good news! This 150 ft. long bridge is ADA accessible with a ramp so that anyone in a wheelchair can enjoy it.

Miniature Farm Animals

Tour the barns and get a chance to interact with rescue miniature horses, donkeys, goats, sheep and cows and other miniature farm animals throughout the park.  

Tree Canopy Walks - TBA

Kid friendly walks on rope bridges that wind through the trees, about 100 ft. high above the ground.

Relax and get up close and personal with nature again.

Bakery, Candy Kitchen & Retail Shops

Skyland Ranch will have a Food Barn with restaurants, food trucks and ever-changing festival foods onsite.  The Chuckwagon, Tacos, Buckin' BBQ, and loaded mac 'n cheese - just to name a few! 

You can also enjoy a Skyland gourmet bakery, candy kitchen and retail shops like western wear, toy store, souvenirs and more. 

Live Entertainment, 1,000 Seat Amphitheater & Event Space

Live shows and entertainers will be planned for 2023 .  A concert series featuring mainly country and western style musicians is planned and will be booking for future dates.

Skyland Shootout BB Gun Shooting Range

Kid and family friendly western style shooting range featuring Colt 6-shooters and cowboy lever action rifles.  

Buckaroo Play Barn  & Gem Mining

Great play area for kids to unwind and be kids! This is included with admission.  

You can also buy a bag of rough stones to gem mine with the whole family!

Cabins  with Indoor Private Swimming Pools

Pigeon Forge Cabins Near The Island

Great Large Cabins for Groups    

Starting at Lil Wrangler's Petting Corral, take a covered wagon that is pulled behind a tractor.   Get a chance to feed and pet the farm animals up close. Animals like:

Tennessee Safari Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

TENNESSEE SAFARI PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (3.38 km) Green Frog Farm Bed & Breakfast Cabins
• (3.42 km) The Cotton Gin Cabin bed and breakfast
• (4.70 km) Rama Inn
• (3.45 km) The Holly House log cabin, 100-year-old historic setting
• (3.63 km) A log cabin in the Pines
• (1.51 km) Subway
• (1.44 km) Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
• (2.96 km) TN-Q BBQ
• (3.75 km) McDonald's
• (7.45 km) Bob's Burgers, Pasta and Pizza

A learning experience like no other

Come see us at southland safari to get an up-close & personal experience with animals from all over the world right here in clarksburg, tn. this tour will take place on our safari truck which seats up to 20 people. the tour will last approximately 2 hours. we will offer a trained tour guide who will teach you about over 50 different species of animals on our safari along with details about our daily operations. you will not want to miss this exciting adventure.

Ride in our off-road safari vehicle.

Some safari attractions require you to drive your own vehicle through the park. We take pride in offering guided tours in our fully-customized off-road vehicle.

Encounter 50+ species of animals.

Our 125-acre property is home to nearly 500 animals from over 50 unique species. Learn more about the types of animals you will see on your encounter.

See our community while you are here.

West Tennessee is home to historic sites and other fun attractions for adults and kids alike. Learn more about some of our favorite places to visit while you are here!

COVID-19 Guidelines

• Face coverings are encouraged.
• We have tried to allow as much seating on our truck as possible with up to 20 seats available.
• Hand sanitizer stations are positioned in the gift shop, campground, and encounter area.
• The safari truck is cleaned and disinfected after each tour.
• Each cabin is cleaned and disinfected after each visitor stay.
• Gift shop is cleaned and disinfected after each tour visit.

WELCOME TO SAFARI WILD ANIMAL PARK! (No Pets)

Admission prices:.

Safari Wild Animal Park is Mississippi’s premier Safari Park featuring a stunning 466 Acre authentic African Drive-Through and Walk Through Safari Park and Wild Animal Preserve . See our amazing Wild African Animals up close and personal, with a Giraffe Feeding Station, Camel Rides, Lorikeet Feeding and a Children’s Petting Safari.

Experience all the above and more at your Safari Wild Animal Park. Drive through the 6.5 miles of African Safari Roads in your own car and interact and feed animals as you make your way through the wilds of Africa. After your journey return to the Foot Safari. An experience you will never forget, Africa at your back door. Read our Customer Testimonials .

Safari Wild Animal Park is renowned for being better, larger and closer than our competition and quite less drive time, meaning less gas expense and more time for your family to spend a full day in the Animal Park versus driving time. Just a short drive south of Memphis on interstate 55. View our Safari Park Tickets here »

Self Drive Safari Tour

You drive your own car on a designated road

Lorikeet Landing

Camel Rides

Childrens Petting Safari

Safari Wild 1549 Rooks Rd, Como, MS 38619