Zoos and Animal Attractions in the Georgia Mountains
The Georgia mountains are home to many different animal species that you may be spot in the wild of North Georgia mountains. 🦅🐻🦌However, if you don’t want to leave wild animal sightings up to chance, there are also many animal-themed attractions to visit in the North Georgia mountains!
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Zoos and Animal Attractions in the Georgia Mountains
Enjoy these zoos, parks, animal sanctuaries, and local vineyards to see the animals up close!
North Georgia Animal Attractions
Whether you visit a North Georgia zoo or one of the other unique attractions, these adorable and unforgettable animal experiences will bring you and your family lots of smiles.
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve – Dahlonega
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo in the North Georgia Mountains
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is home to over 100 exotic and native rescued animals. Self-guided tours on the bark chip paths take about an hour and a half. You are welcome to feed the animals (with approved food), but do so at your own risk.
Try an animal encounter with tigers, zebra, bears, elk, and others for a closer visit with the animals! 🐅🦓🐻🦌
Picnic tables are available for use at no extra charge, and you may bring your packed lunch. Coke and Pepsi products are sold, but there is no human food for sale. Bathroom facilities are porta-potties.
Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo also offers a private animal encounter experience to have Breakfast with the Big Cats. You’ll be able to feed tigers, zebra, elk, emu, wolves, and more. This is $250 / person with a minimum of 2 people.
- HOURS: Open daily year-round from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:00 p.m.)
- COST: $10 Adults (ages 12+), $5 children (ages 1 – 11), infants under 1 are FREE
- ADDRESS: 469 Old Dahlonega Highway, Dahlonega, GA
Lasso the Moon Alpaca Farm – Blairsville
🦙This unique attraction allows visitors to meet the gentle alpaca up close. Educational tours introduce guests to alpaca origins and care and teach how their delightfully soft fiber is processed and used in wearables and art.
The tour also includes visiting Lardworks Glass & Fiber studio gallery/store (appointments are required for either the farm visit and/or to shop in the store). There are also a handful of open house events yearly when no appointment is necessary.
- HOURS: By appointment only, TEXT Holly at 706-897-2379 or use online form
- COST: No fees are charged, but donations are appreciated
- ADDRESS: 106 Agape Dr, Blairsville, GA
North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park – Cleveland
At the North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park (also known as the North Georgia Zoo & Farm), you’ll enjoy visiting with a large variety of animals, including rare, mini, and unique farm animals. Wildlife Walks allow you to learn about exotic animals, including lemurs, kangaroos, wildcats, and more. Kids always enjoy pony rides and bottle-feeding opportunities!
In addition to visiting the zoo and the petting zoo, a wide variety of animal encounters and specialty experiences are available! The unique options may include:
North Georgia Zoo Cleveland in the Georgia Mountains
- Camel encounter
- Cougar & Friends
- Gator Swim
- Kangaroo
- Monkeys & Friends
- Owl & Friends
- Reptile encounter
- Sloth experience
- Tropical Birds
- VIP Otter Splash
- Wolf experience
- Wolf Puppy
- Young Fennec Fox
- Zebra & Friends
Plus, the North Georgia Zoo also offers options like Zoo to You, pony rides, and many special events. The North Georgia Zoo is a rare treat you will not want to miss! 🦙🦊🐅🐖🐻🦌🦅🦆🐦🦊🦋
- HOURS (Seasonal): Friday and Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- ADDRESS: 2912 Paradise Valley Rd, Cleveland, GA
Discounts may also available for the following:
- Groups of 15+ (10% discount / paid in advance)
- Teachers (10% discount)
- Military and First Responder (First Responder Appreciation Weekend)
If you want to purchase an animal, the Paradise Valley Farm is North Georgia’s home of miniature, unique livestock, exotic pets, and pocket pets!
Other Animal Groups in the Georgia Mountains
For a fun animal experience on a smaller scale, check out these attractions in the North Georgia mountains!
Animals of Amicalola Falls at Amicalola Falls Lodge
Check with the park to attend one of their FREE weekend programs!
- Animals of Amicalola Falls (30 min) 🦊🐻🦌🦆🐦
- Birds of Prey presented by Blue Ridge Raptors (45 min) 🦅
- Iconic Trees of Amicalola Falls (1.5 hours)
Sunset Stories & Bats of Georgia will return in April 2025! Donations made at the events benefit and help care for these animals.
- Phone: +1 (706) 265-1969
- Visit Amicalola Falls Lodge online to reserve your spot at a FREE event
- Note that all vehicles entering Amicalola State Park require a $5 GA State Park Pass (or $50 Annual Park Pass)
Dahlonega Buttery Farm – Dawsonville
🦋 Experience a variety of butterflies up close in the tropical conservatory while learning about their lifecycle. Talk with one of the guides or walk through the outdoor caterpillar habitat! Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the outdoor garden. Discounts available for groups of 12 or more people. Take a class to learn more about designing landscapes and gardening.
Note that hours are seasonal – the Dahlonega Buttery Farm closes during the Winter months.
- Phone: +1 (706) 867-9473
- Address: 427 Castleberry Bridge Road, Dawsonville, GA
Dahlonega Healing Herds Sanctuary – Dahlonega
@dahlonegahealingherds #creatorsearchinsights #nonprofit #foryou #donkeyrescue #charity #pleasedonate #sanctuary #rescue #fypシ゚viral #funding #foryoupage #rescuedonkeys #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fyp #donkeylovers #donkeysoftiktok #savethedonkeys #pleasesupport #rescueanimals #donkeysanctuary ♬ Life is Beautiful – Deep Music
This rescue group helps neglected and unwanted donkeys. 🫏 The founders mission is to provide a permanent home on their 10 acre facility with food, shelter, veterinarian and farrier care for unwanted and abused donkeys. Visit during regular hours or attend a special event to learn more about these forgotten and misunderstood animals.
- Phone: +1 (770) 733-9993
- Address: 707 Old Federal Road, Dahlonega, GA
- Website: healingherds.org
Dillard House Petting Farm Zoo – Dillard
Enjoy this petting farm zoo or take a pony ride at the Dillard House stables. 🐎
- Phone: +1 (800) 541-0671
- Address: 768 Franklin Street, Dillard, GA
Georgia Mountain Falconry – Dahlonega
🦅Explore the fascinating world of falconry from Georgia Mountain Falconry in North Georgia. Whether you want an educational program, workshop, apprentice academy, or a raptor experience, this service provides all of the above!
Browse services online which include a Raptor Encounter at with hawks, falcons, and owls! Watch the Georgia Mountain Falconry Facebook page for free falconry events at local parks.
- Phone: +1 (404) 538-4355
- Email: buster@georgiamountainfalconry.com
- Website: georgiamountainfalconry.com
Project Chimps – Morganton
Project Chimps is a sanctuary for chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research. The sanctuary is not open with regular hours, but they do offer special events throughout the year.🦍
- Phone: +1 (706) 374-3675
- Visit during a special event including
- Discovery Days on two weekends per year
- Weeklong volunteer vacations for adults and college students
- Hour-long animal experiences at the sanctuary
- Painting and photography workshops
Wet Pets – Dahlonega
Wet Pets Koi in the North Georgia Mountains
🐟 In business since 1984, Wet Pets is a premier facility for koi and water gardening. Stop in for a unique opportunity to learn more about koi and have the fish eat directly from your hand!
- Phone / Appointments: 706-865-7190
- Address: 1085 Mountain Cove Rd, Dahlonega, GA
Closed Animal Attractions
These North Georgia animal attractions have closed and are no longer open to visitors.
- Closed – Build An Ark Animal Rescue in Ellijay
- Closed – Goats on the Roof in Tiger
- Closed – Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville
BONUS – Other Featured Animals in North Georgia
Finally, although the animals at these vineyards aren’t the main attraction, some beautiful animals live on-site!
- Cavender Creek animal mascots from their wine labels (dogs, chickens, & donkeys) roam around the vineyard
- Crane Creek Vineyards colorful guinea hens and beautiful free-range chickens
- Doghobble Wine Farm has free-range friendly animals on site
- Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery has fainting goats (of course!)
- Frogtown Cellars has a beautiful koi pond on the way into the tasting room
- Paradise Hills has goats on-site — often in a yard next to the tasting room
Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery – Sicilian Donkey
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Essentials for a Wild Adventure
Exploring local animal attractions can mean spending hours outdoors, so packing the right gear is key to having a great experience. Remember to pack these adventure essentials to keep you comfortable and ready for adventure!
Wide-Brimmed Hat for All-Day Shade
Beat the sun with a lightweight, breathable wide-brimmed hat designed for UV protection. It also has a wind lanyard for windy days! 🧢 available in multiple colors and sizes.
Stay Hydrated with a Stainless Steel Water Bottle
This stainless steel water bottle features an insulated design to ensure every sip is refreshing.💧Available in 5 sizes and over 20 colors, these highly-rated reusable bottles have 50,000+ 5-star reviews!
Sunglasses for the Clearest Views
From bright enclosures to open trails, polarized sunglasses reduce glare and enhance visibility. These classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses include UV-blocking lenses to protect your eyes while you enjoy the sights. 🕶
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For more unique animal experiences in North Georgia, check out:
What are your favorite places to enjoy time with animals in the North Georgia mountains?
Hi, Alyce.
I am glad and very much desirous to walk through Georgia if there may happen any chance to visit there. The picture that you have drawn really grabs the attention of the visitors.
Georgia is home to a variety of natural animal species, but it’s nice to see the zoos with animals that don’t live in the area naturally. The North Georgia Zoos, Parks, Animals Sanctuaries, and Vineyards have a lot more to offer than I expected. So, overall it’s an awesome place to visit!
Hello Mizanur, It’s really nice to change pace for a bit and interact with animals. If you get the chance, definitely check out The North Georgia Zoo and their unique events that allow you to get up close with the animals. Enjoy!
How I wish I had visited the North Georgia Zoo more than once! It’s so amazing to know that almost similar climates are all over the place. I believe I’m going to have so many things to do on the mountain of North Georgia whenever I have the opportunity to pay a visit.
It could be so funny that there are still countless people living in Georgia as we speak that haven’t visited the zoo, while many people from other states and foreign countries would have visited a couple of times in the past. I’ll surely come along with my 3-year-old Alsatian female dog. She’s been my companion all along. Thanks.
Joyce
Hi Joyce, the North Georgia Zoo is definitely a special place, and they have come up with some really creative events that incorporate their amazing animals.
I would caution against taking your dog to other exhibits involving animals though, as this interaction could upset the other animals (at least that is what I’ve been told when asking about local pet policies). Make sure to call ahead and ask about the pet policy to make sure that your sweet dog will be welcomed.
Enjoy!
Hello; I will definitely call for reservation before I venture out to any of the Georgia Mountain attractions. I enjoyed looking at the baby sheep and Goats. I am sure that a personal contact with them, as well as some other domestic animals, would revive every dead vibe in me.
However, the cat and her young scares me. Touring the mountain path, for me would have to be heavily guarded, those Cats make me afraid!!!
DorcasW
Hi Dorcas, It’s great to have a healthy respect for the power of the wild animals, but in my experience cats usually seem to shy away… still, you definitely want to be prepared and smart about visiting their habitats!!
I love the concept of your website! I had no idea that there was so much to do in the mountains of North Georgia! As I am reading over your description, I can not help but notice that we have similar climates. I am from Temecula, California, and wouldn’t you know that I live across the street from several Alpaca farms as well as several miles for countless wineries. I see that your wineries boast that animals walk freely around. Well, here, the most you will see are dogs roaming.
I am particularly interested in visiting the North Georgia Zoo Cleveland and going on a Wolf Experience tour! As a native Southern Californian, I have been to the San Diego Zoo and The Wild Animal Park countless times, but they do not offer a wolf encounter. Thank you for the information! If I am ever to get to Alabama to see relatives, I am going to mention the mountains of North Georgia! How far away from Montgomery would this zoo be?
Hi Colleen, I’d guess that Montgomery is about a 4 hour drive from the area, but you may want to give yourself extra time to stop and see things along the way. There are so many wonderful animal encounters at the North Georgia Zoo that look really unique and innovative.
I’m hoping to visit the San Diego Zoo some day, as they seem to be one of the best zoos in the country!
I love taking my kiddos to the zoo & animal sanctuary…We just have so much fun, watching them & how they live in captivity..
There’s just so much you could learn when visiting either place…
Plus wild animals end up living longer living in captivity than in the wild..
But even though I’m from Georgia, I have never visited there attractions..So these will be on my list next time we hit out of state for our next vacation.
Really good stuff to read..I very much enjoyed!!
keep up the great work!
Hi Genia, I’m glad you’ve learned about some fun new places that you can explore in North Georgia. There are some really fun opportunities and family memories to make at these special animal exhibits!
Hi Alyce,
It is always cool to see different animals on when travelling. I love zoos when it is obvious that the animals are happy and well looked after.The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo looks like one I would like to visit with my family. My wife has had a thing for big cats since she went on safari in Kenya.
Hi Tom, I agree with you wife and find cats to be absolutely fascinating and beautiful creatures. Even with the little one in my house, the energy is a fun thing to be around.
Thank you for the awesome post! I love going to zoos around the Eastern part of America. I take my kids to one at least once every six months! My kids ages are two and one. Speaking of that, which one of these attractions do you think would be good for a family of four?
Hi Jessie, The North Georgia Zoo is probably the biggest space so if your family is up for it, this would be a great way to spend the day. If you just want a shorter excursion then you may enjoy one of the faster / smaller attractions that won’t require too much focus from the little ones. I hope you all enjoy your trip!!
I have been researching and dreaming of places to go to see Tigers for YEARS now! It is number one on my dream vacation spots. I didn’t know there was a spot like this is Georgia, I am going to be adding this to one of my must-visit places for sure! Getting to feed them too!? AMAZING!!
I am so glad you included the prices here as well as that is a huge deciding factor for me.
I was just discussing with a co-worker the other day how lucky we are here in St. Louis to still have a completely FREE zoo.
Hi Kara, I am a huge fan of zoos and animal attractions as well — I love that you have a FREE zoo in the St Louis area!!
The presence of animals in any vacation have been a very lovely means of fun for everyone especially kids. Who doesn’t want to see a big cat? So far information gathered by me about spending a vacation at the Georgia mountains have been really thrilling. With all honesty I’ll love to visit and have these experience of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing
I definitely enjoy time spent with animals, and as a cat person myself, having the chance to interact with the biggest ones is a very exciting option!
The lasso farm looks really cool like need need to go there. They do have some nice attractions there. Zooing has never been my thing but my sister has reainh made me like animals and I have affection for them. I will be visiting with my sister definitely. Thank you for the detailed information. Cheers!
Awesome! You may also find some fun alpaca fiber products to take home from their studio!!
Who wouldn’t love to visits the lovely animals at the zoo. Its very nice that you can share this here. I really do love the zoo and I like seeing the animals. There is so much to choose from but I see one of them offers discounts so maybe that’s the one I’ll be going to with my famy. Nice one!
I agree — spending time with animals is lovely! Plus, there is a lot of great work being done by these zoos and rescue groups — your visit will help them continue their work with the animals.
I love the zoo! Unfortunately, I haven’t been to one for a while now. The last time was when I traveled to Washington D.C. which was a few months ago. The Chestatee Wildlife Preserve and Zoo looks very interesting, especially feeding the tigers. I’m assuming there are some precautions taken, but are you really up close to the tigers? Like to the point that you can touch them?
The “breakfast with the big cats” does require getting up close — you are basically there for their daily feeding in the morning. Whether or not you can touch them will “depend on their mood” (and yours).
It is good that you listed these zoos. My little cousin wants to go to a zoo and I want to do that for his birthday. Chestate Wildlife Preserve is open every day and it is quite close where my cousin lives. I can take him and just go there in 20 minutes. Seriously thanks for suggestions.
Hi Furkan, That’s great to hear! I hope you both have a great time!!