The Wilds: Ohio’s Animal Kingdom

Some of my favorite theme parks to visit are ones which include animal encounters, specifically parks with safari like adventures, such as Busch Gardens Tampa or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Unfortunately for me, I live in Ohio and am not able to visit those great parks very often. However, there is an amazing animal adventure to found in Ohio and although it is not a full blown theme park it is quickly growing into a resort full of fun things to do.

Wildside Tour Vehicle

The Wilds occupies approximately 10,000 acres of reclaimed coal mine land in Cumberland, Ohio, located about 70 miles East of Columbus. The largest conversation center for endangered species in North America offers several different safari attraction experiences to chose from where you can board a tour bus or an open-air vehicle and a knowledgeable tour guide will take you through a portion of the enormous open-range animal pastures.

Not an animatronic dino- it's a real rhino!

You’ll likely encounter many rare and endangered animals roaming in large, natural settings, such as the Sichuan Takin. These tours include an opportunity to meet some animals up-close while learning about the Wilds’ primary goal:  To advance conservation through science, education and personal experience.

Two week old Southern white rhinoceros

If you’re feeling really adventurous you can try the new horseback safari tours.

Sichuan Takin

In 2007, the innovative Mid-Sized Carnivore Conservation Center opened to the public, adding cheetahs, African wild dogs, and dholes to the list of rare and endangered species supported at the Wilds.

African Wild Dogs

The Wilds moved a step closer to a full blown resort in 2009 with the addition of Nomad Ridge, a luxury tent-camp experience where overnight visitors sleep in yurts, a nomadic-style structure made of canvas stretched over a wooden frame. The yurts at Nomad Ridge at the Wilds are built on platforms and have bamboo floors, screened windows, and solid wood doors.

Yurts at Nomad Ridge

For thrill seekers there is the incredible zipline safari experience. This 2.5 hour tour consists of ten full lines (more than twice as many as Dollywood’s SkyZip) and a rappel! You’ll zip along a network of cables, through the trees, over the animal watering holes, lakes, and pastures, finally landing among the exotic animal species.

Zipline Adventure

If that’s not enough thrills for you, some of the roads to get to the Wilds are very twisty and hilly- almost as fun as a roller coaster!

Panoramic View of the Wilds from Nomad Ridge

Learn more about the Wilds by visiting their website or Facebook page.
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