All supplies provided and can be scheduled in addition to other activities. Learn about actions YOU can take to protect endangered species like the manatees. Horseback Safari. But a white rhino baby had just been borna day or so before our visit and so we were unfortunately not able to visit the barns. May 13th - 28th, 2023: Weekend service Typically, visitors would have the opportunity to tour some of the winter facilities for the animals on a Winter at the Wilds tour to see animals that need to be kept inside on cold days such as the giraffes. Nestled into the southeastern Ohio countryside on almost 10,000 acres of lush landscapes, The Wilds is a conservation center making an incredible impact for wildlife in America's Heartland and across the globe. For me, this was a great chance to visit a cool place that I had missed growing up in this area! This experience is designed to thrill anyone with a love for wildlife and a passion for adventure. After that winter 2014 visit, I returned again in the summer of 2017 to experience one of the open-air tours that was not offered when I visited in the winter in 2014. The crossing, at an elevation of approximately 3,180 feet (970 m), was a series of sand bars at a great bend in the river located a mile west of Padres Butte, which is now at the tip . While many of the regular tours are not available during the winter, the Winter at The Wilds tour is run twice a day. Guests will enjoy up-close wildlife experiences from the back of a specially modified four-wheel drive truck as an Animal Management team member drives them closer to the action off the regular tour roads. Powell, OH 43065 The excursions, with up to six guests per trip, are four hours long, including travel time. With so many experiences available, a wild weekend getaway is a great option for guests who wish to enjoy one of The Wilds overnight accommodations. Most of the tour is spent inside the bus but there are stops where participants can disembark to see the parakeet aviary (a short distance) and the carnivores enclosures (a slightly longer distance). By clicking Agree, I consent to our data usage policies as stated. Fish species include: largemouth bass, redear sunfish, brown bullhead, bluegill, channel catfish, green sunfish, longear sunfish, pumpkinseed, white crappie, warmouth, and bullhead. What Dining Options are there at the Wilds? Overnight adventures await at the Columbus Zoo! To redeem and activate the gift membership, the recipient will need to call the Member Services Office at (513) 559-7713 or email membership@cincinnatizoo.org. At the Zoo, the Manatee Coast is not your average exhibit: Its a rescue and rehabilitation facility. Some food and retail carts may not have credit card capabilities, but there are several ATMs throughout the the park for your convenience. Saving Wildlife., The Wilds is among one of the largest, cutting-edge conservation centers in North America and is home to more than 500 animals representing 28 rare and endangered species from around the world. Best of luck, Jessica. See all 469 photos Write a review Add photo We saw a bunch of different animals up close including giraffes in 25 reviews " in 7 reviews " yurt, bring a portable DVD player or laptop to play DVD's along." in 16 reviews Location & Hours 14000 International Rd Cumberland, OH 43732 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More Staff wears masks Hi Donna, I am sure you will have a great time at The Wilds! The carnivores are behind fences. (614) 645-3400, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Birding Station at Jeffrey Point is a great spot to watch raptors in winter, hear grassland nesting birds in spring and summer, and watch the ospreys returning to the hacksite in the spring. Is the Columbus zoo worth visiting from out of state? : r/Ohio - Reddit 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065-7288 Read Reviews of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Property types Motels Hotels All-inclusives B&Bs & Inns +87 Show all View Vacation Rentals Popular & up 191 Amenities Free Wifi 306 Breakfast included220 Pool 199 Free parking 290 Show all Distance from 25+ mi Zoombezi Bay Emily Traphagen Park Bharatiya Hindu Temple . OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS View More Jobs at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Complimentary admission provided for one escort and one driver. Also send me the latest blog posts by e-mail, Independent Travel Cats Monthly Newsletter, Logos, images, and content all protected by copyright. Note that there is a $6.00 parking fee to park at The Wilds unless you are a member. Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund! Copyright 2013 - 2023, The Wilds Animal Park: An African Safari Experience in Ohio. The focus of The Wilds is mainly on conservation and research and most of the animals are ones that can live in open enclosures, basically fields, such as the rhinos, horses, camels, zebra, giraffes, ostrich, etc. The Wilds sits on almost 10,000 acres of lush landscapes along the Appalachian Byway and attracts nearly 120,000 visitors annually. Food selections include grilled burgers, jumbo grilled hot dogs, soda, and more. This includes daily maintenance tasks such as cleaning the shower house/restrooms, sweeping yurts and maintaining the kitchen/dining area. Volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! Parking is $7/vehicle (exceptions made for coach/school buses and 15-passenger vehicles). Sunscreen is suggested, and sunglasses just look cool. This non-profit open-habitat safari park is a pretty amazing place given that this is reclaimed land which was strip mined for coal from the 1940s to the 1980s, which destroyed most of the natural wildlife and resources in this area. Tours last approximately 2+ hours and stop at the Carnivore Center. Normal hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day from May through October. The Wilds, one of the largest conservation centers in North America, is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world, along with hundreds of indigenous species. Maintain hiking trails and outdoor spaces at Education Camp. If you are traveling with kids, it can be really fun to teach them about some of the animals and have them try to then spot them during your tour and from the observation deck of where you are staying. Teach education programs to people of all ages. "Empowering People. Crossing of the Fathers - Wikipedia Guests will spend the night in the middle of our pastures with giraffes, rhinos and other rare and incredible species nearby. Telephone: 740-638-5030. They may also not be left in your vehicle, so please be sure to leave your dogs at home. With over 10,000 animals in seven regions, the Columbus Zoo is the perfect location to learn more about the world's amazing wildlife. The number of days per week that the Zoo Bus operates depends upon the time of year. ), Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. If you are interested in ecology, botany, water management, birding, insects, etc. My elderly mother loves zoos and wildlife, and she has expressed an interest in going on a safari where she can watch animals roaming freely. [1], The Crossing of the Fathers is named for the Spanish Franciscan priests or "padres" Atanasio Domnguez and Silvestre Vlez de Escalante, who first reported it during an expedition that forded the Colorado River there in 1776. Explore The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, with nearly 10,000 acres of open range habitat for rare and endangered species. Privacy, Enjoy New and Exciting Summer Adventures at The Wilds. Fare for Zoo Bus is $2 per adult, $1 for children under age 12, no charge for children under 5, each way and customers can also enjoy incredible savings when they ride the bus. JazZoo Concert : Jazz Meets Tap Aug 11 Zoombezi Bay Waterpark After Dark Aug 18 Zoombezi Bay Quiet After Hours Aug 25 Look for it on State Route 284, between Zion Ridge Road and International Road. Renewal notices are sent via email two months in advance of your membership expiring, and via US Postal mail one month prior to your membership expiring. Membership FAQ | The Wilds Columbus to The Wilds - 2 ways to travel via bus, taxi, and car - Rome2rio Hi Kurstin, If you are interested in visiting The Wilds now, or between November and April, they are only open to the public for their Winter at the Wilds tours. This position requires staff to work a flexible schedule, including working weekends and occasionally staying overnight at The Wilds. The Wilds safari park is home to a number of rare and endangered animals from around the world, including cheetah, rhinos, camels, antelope, zebra, and giraffes, as well as a number of local native species. This post may contain affiliate links. A discounted membership for families who live in Ohio, and qualify for eligible programs. Explore wild spaces, learn about the natural world, and make lifelong friends. This safari tour provides guests with the opportunity to feel the breeze from an open-air vehicle as a knowledgeable guide drives along paths through vast pastures where species such as deer, antelope, zebras, and rhinos roam. Hi Iva, I think that may actually be a big girl:) It was a fun experience, it was not quite Africa but it is as close as you can get in Southeast Ohio and a great place to visit! Note that all tours must be booked online in advance prior to visiting. There are discounts on season passes throughout the year. As animal management specialists who work with the animals, they can help give you the best chance to see the animals you want to see and also give you more time with them if they can. For people who have been to these places, do you think this could be worthwhile? It is approximately 75 miles (1.5 to 2 hour drive) from Columbus, OH, 20 miles (35 minute drive) from Zanesville, OH, and 140 miles (2.5 hours) from Cleveland, Ohio. Conservation Educator, The Wilds (Fall) in Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The Wilds Staff | The Wilds The Park was made on reclaimed land dug by the dragline Big Muskie . Membership - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden The Wilds (Cumberland) - What to Know BEFORE You Go (2023) - Tripadvisor I went to the same college as an undergrad that both he and his wife graduated from and the Wilds is located only about 20 minutes away. Don't miss out on our exclusive monthly giveaways with lots of fun travel and photography related prizes! The type of camels at the Wilds are quite funny to watch as they are very curious and will get very close to the vehicle. Guests can use a boat supplied by The Wilds or fish from the bank of one of The Wilds scenic lakes. The Winter at the Wilds tour is similar to the regular Wildside Tours given during the rest of the year. Prices are subject to change. It is a living laboratory, where every aspect of the natural world presents unique venues for personal experience. Volunteer at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! If you have questions, please call (614) 724-3489. We are committed to assuring the future of rare and threatened species through breeding, the continuation of science, and education. Also is the climate uninhabited by primates? Celebrating Our Own: Laura Straka | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium The mission of The Wilds, a nonprofit organization managed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife. There are also several cabins that have been recently built around Straker Lake within The Wilds which provides another option. What programs are accepted to qualify for the Family Access Membership category. A great advantage to visiting in November was that we had the park to ourselves since there are relatively few visitors during the winter months. Location Map As with most places, it is wise to call in advance to discuss any special accessibility needs before booking. Privacy. Halfway Point Between Westfield, WI and Wisconsin Rapids, WI. The Open-Air Safari tour is included with your membership. Just caught the end of Jack Hannas wildlife safari insisting The Wilds. If you make a purchase using one of these links it means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The Columbus Zoo is looking ahead to a whole new experience for visitors as it moves past recent scandals. At The Wilds, they do have a couple of enclosures for predators (e.g., painted dogs, dholes, and cheetah), but most of the rest of the animals can roam fairly freely in the open fields. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Reservations that you do not attend without prior notice constitutes abuse of membership, and may result in revocation without refund. The Wilds Is An African Safari That's Right Here In Ohio