We had an amazing time here celebrating my Daughters 3rd birthday with family And friends. Not too crowded, excellent foliage covering the hot sun as you enjoy all of the habitats. Hank the turkey was our amazing tour guide. Friendly staff and awesome animals enjoying their sanctuary. We bought our tickets online to save time when we got there but you definitely didn’t have to do that. Save some lettuce and carrots for the end of the loop as you feed the bunnies in their exhibit. Would definitely recommend this adventure to all!

This was a beautiful experience for our family of animal lovers. The landscaping is beautiful and the wildlife is given ample space to roam and thrive. The walkways are shaded and the staff is both friendly and helpful. They have tables set up in several shaded areas along the path where you can stop and have lunch. My favorite picnic spot is in their bamboo forest by the yellow river. The petting/feeding areas are such a treat for the kids. Such an amazing experience, we will definitely be back this summer!

I can’t express how happy it makes me to see what this place has done under new management/ownership. It was a wonderful experience from seeing the animals to conversing with staff and volunteers. We will be making many more trips in the future and will encourage anyone we know to do the same. Thanks for caring about the animals you’ve chosen to be responsible for.

Update: The Yellow River Game ranch has improved SO Much since the new owners took over. We had employees at just about every corner of the facility speaking to us and giving us information about the animals. Animals have enrichment, are not locked in tight or concrete cages, and much more. The prices are a bit high currently, but I would rather see happy animals over cheap torture. Thank you for taking over and helping the animals, as you have restored my childhood memories of what the yellow River game ranch used to look like in the good days. I visited before right covid hit, but I am just now updating my review that was previously based on the poor management of the previous owners. THANK YOU AGAIN NEW OWNERS! We look forward to visiting you again in the future!

Great place for family and toddlers! So many cool animals to see up close and to feed as well! Our 2 yo loved it! All the enployees are kind and knowledgeable too! We especially loved Jana she walked with us most of the loop telling us all about the animals where they came from their own stories it was awesome to see the animals but even cooler to learn their stories! Thanks Jana!

It was so enjoyable to visit the newly acquired Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary! It’s obvious massive amounts of time, energy, creativity, care and resources have come together to create a perfect place to expose children and adults alike to the joy of interacting with wildlife. There are numerous places to picnic, ‘take a breath’, rest your feet and take it all in. The paths are paved so wheelchair accessibility is possible.(Gentle hills, so make sure a buddy’s there to help your wheelchair navigate.) The animals, by all appearances, are friendly and well cared for. There was friendly staff floating through, without being intrusive, ready to answer questions about the animals. 👍👍

Fantastic sanctuary for children and animal lovers! All of the animals are rescues who can no longer be introduced into the wild and are very comfortable around people. Turkeys and peacocks are on the loose and all the animals (bunnies, goats, alpacas, bulls, bison, etc) were VERY happy to be fed with the purchaseable treats. We went on a rainy day and it was still such a memorable time!

My daughter and I did the sloth encounter! We had a wonderful experience! Kevin was the keeper who did our encounter! He was so knowledgeable and we were able to have a great interaction with Sid and Sue🥰 we also toured the sanctuary and fell in love with the animals, especially Hank, the Turkey! Definitely worth the visit😎

Absolutely amazing place! We booked the Sloth Experience and it was so much fun! You get about 30 minutes with the sloths to feed and pet them and you can feed other animals along the way with the food they give you (not all animals can be fed, please read the signs!) The staff were all friendly and knowledgeable and we had an amazing time. Definitely check them out and book their experiences, it's worth it!

Love this sanctuary!! There is something more natural and laid-back about this facility versus Atlanta Zoo / (most zoos just feel like a money grab). This facility shows a lot of care for their animals and you get an opportunity to engage with some of the animals in a gentle, controlled way. I didn’t take a lot of photos but we saw coyotes, owls, porcupines, turtles, and a lot of native North American animals. We paid for the animal-feed/veggie cup and my 6-yr old and I were able to feed a lot of the animals! The deer were really sweet and inquisitive. We also paid for the gem-mining and that was cool. We took home about 8 gems. We didn’t get a chance to stop in the gift-shop, but I’ll definitely be back!

Drove here Saturday after lunch and spent around 2 hours exploring. Plenty to see and learn about. The volunteers and employees were delightful and full of knowledge! Will definitely return in the future. If you get warm easily I would recommend going during fall, spring, or winter. It was humid and hot so keep that in mind for older groups or little ones.

Took my 3 and 2 yr old and they had a great time. My 60 yr old relatives also had a great time! Surprising both toddlers walked the whole place. They weren't tied because the animals were very active unlike some places. The signs posted about each animal we're very helpful. The petting zoo/feeding portion was the kids favorite of course. And they loved the sweet little bunny!! We'll definitely be back!

Thank you for taking such good care of these beautiful animals! Well worth the money spent. Walked around, fed them and took some pics and spent a little over two hours here. Would love to come back and do the private tour sometime. Best time to go is right in the morning if you can, not only is the weather gorgeous, but they’re out and about putting out feed for the animals you can’t feed yourself so they’re way more active. Great experience and for a good cause.

This place is amazing! We visited on Saturday and had a blast! This is better than the zoo because you can get closer to the animals and there were so many petting and feeding options. Will surely visit again soon!

The Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is a must for any animal lover! We love being greeted by Hank the Turkey and all the critters and being able to feed them. We also recently had the pleasure of meeting Sid the Sloth who is absolutely adorable! All the staff are amazing and knowledgeable about all the animals in their care. You can really tell they put their heart and soul into making this a wonderful sanctuary for every single one of them!

Great experience for all ages. They have a wide variety of animals and the 1 mile trail didn't feel long or hard at all. You can feed the animals for a fee. They have a gift shop! Gravel parking and no EV charging. They accept Contactless payments! Go in the morning so you don't feel the heat. I would recommend and would love to come back.

My 11-year-old son wants to be a veterinarian so we participated in “The Walk on the Wild Side” guided tour with Clint. Clint was AMAZING 🤩! His knowledge of the animals, vegetation, and overall vision of the sanctuary was more than I could have imagined. I highly recommend this experience for anyone that’s looking for a fun and educational family experience! Being able to go behind the scenes to experience the animals up close and personal will be an experience my family will always remember! We will definitely be back!

What a wonderful place to visit for adults and kids. The old Game Ranch had really gone downhill. The new owners have done a fabulous job of creating beautiful homes for happy animals. The staff are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. We bought cups of lettuce leaves and carrots and had so much fun feeding the animals, especially the beautiful deer. There’s a very friendly turkey who will follow you around too. We spent 3 whole hours there and it was so much more fun than the zoo. Would definitely recommend.

Had a FABULOUS experience. Have been wanting to see sloths in person for years and finally got the opportunity through the sloth encounter with Sid and Sue. We were able to feed and touch them while learning so much about them with their guide. Beside the sloth house, Marvin wanted attention and is the absolute cutest/sweetest. Just wanted to be petted like a dog. Loved all the exhibits. The “baby” wolves, coyotes, rabbits, Alpacas, cow, donkeys, etc. we loved it all! The staff were really kind, helpful and knowledgeable. We went during the weekday (early afternoon) and we saw one other person so a great time to go.

We had a wonderful time at Yellow River! We bought feed cups and fed the barnyard animals, bison, and rabbits. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, the facility was clean, and the animals were active and healthy. Hank was an adorable ambassador and followed us around most of the way. We definitely recommend Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary!

One of the BEST PLACES TO VISIT! Maybe I’m just a huge lover of these people, but the park is always so clean, it’s such a nice hiking trail, and the animals are clearly well taken care of! Last visit we got to learn that they’re expanding their sanctuary to invite wolves! Hank the turkey is iconic and I love watching Wille and Carmine play! Every animal has a unique story, and it’s well worth getting to read the stories posted on the QR codes!

Such a fun facility next to Yellow River. The animals were well cared for, and the staff were trained and knowledgeable about them. The staff were even *excited* to share information about the animals with the visitors! I also loved the use of fresh produce (lettuce and carrots) to feed certain animals instead of the little food pellets. Paved walkways were combined with some off-road paths. Lots of shade. Loved the roaming peacocks and Hank the Turkey! It was nice to see the social media stars in real life!

What an amazing sanctuary! My son was invited to a birthday party here. It was held in an outdoor setting right beside the the deer enclosure. The deers were very happy to be feed and pet. Animals look well cared for and the staff were so friendly and informative. This sanctuary is laid out like a nature trail with different rescued animal enclosures along the way. Entertaining your kids can become so expensive and stressful but I had all three of mine, well a party of kids and I had such a calm,delightful experience. The kids loved learning about all the animals and getting to pet some too!!!

We love visiting the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary! Love all the new updates and the gem mining. My kids love feeding the animals and it's so nice to see the staff walking around talking to people ready to educate them on the animals.

Very nice, affordable and friendly place to go with toddlers, they have so much fun. The high lights for a mom of two (a baby of 8mo and a 2yo were: 1.- Is stroller friendly the whole trail 2.- Most of the trail has shade so you don't die in the summer hit. (We were 88F and we were able to walk all the train without problem) 3.- Has a lot of picnic table spread in during the trail to stop and eat. 4.- You can get in your own food 5.- Kids can feed some animals. 6.- It's not packed, you are able to walk and see all the animals first row. (Sunday noon, and we're probably 5 families)

We had a great time here. Wonderful staff and the sanctuary is neat with good signage and walkways. You can feed many of the animals and the space is so open and natural. Pet a deer while feeding it, lots of firsts including a peacock taunting a serval. Highly recommend

My husband and I took our twin granddaughters, age 3, to the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary yesterday. It was a beautiful autumn Sunday afternoon, and we all had a great time! There is a really good selection of animals, and the girls loved feeding lettuce and carrots to the barnyard residents. They were fascinated by Hank the turkey and by the peacocks, and we spent a long time watching the lemurs play. It was not too crowded, and the whole park was clean, plus there were fun Halloween decorations. Every staff member we ran into was very friendly. I highly recommend this place for families who are looking for something fun and different to do in the metro Atlanta area.

What a wonderful place! We enjoyed ourselves so much. We especially loved the bunny enclosure and meeting Hank the turkey who kept us company showing off his beautiful feathers. The staff were incredibly friendly and the gift shop was very nice. Will return!

We visited YR yesterday and it was AWESOME! Every time we go, I can’t get over how great the Ordways have made it. The wolves and their habitat are *gorgeous*, loved seeing the bears out and about, the bison were happy to see us (and to get some snacks), Fluffy the porcupine was so sweet and friendly, the lemurs, lynx, owls, coyotes, and cows are so beautiful—I could go on and on, but it was a great day! Jerry (volunteer) was really lovely and gave us all kinds of great backstory on many of the animals. The animals are well cared for and the habitats are filled with all kinds of enrichment for the animals. I’m so impressed with this place and it’s been turned around in the past six years. The animals there are thriving and the staff is immensely helpful. Plan a visit soon!

It's a great place to bring kids, but also wonderful to visit for yourself as an adult. The animals have always been happy to see us, especially early in the day when they're just getting started

A relaxing walk in the woods with some really interesting animals on view. Gem mining is a fun addition. The remodel is very well done.

Wonderful! This was an awesome outing for our small family. Our 5-year-old truly enjoyed it, you could tell the volunteers LOVE the animals in what they do. Some of the volunteers gave us background knowledge on the animals. I appreciate it the park being wide open so it was very easy to do social distancing.

This little park was a surprising find just outside of urban Atlanta. I went on a Sunday morning around 11 a.m. and there was no crowd or wait to get in. The staff were friendly and informative of which animals we could pet and feed. I highly recommend buying a cup of the vegetables to feed the animals, especially if you have kids. I particularly enjoyed how much you could interact with the animals and how close you could get. At the Atlanta Zoo, you would have to pay for experiences that you received with the entry fee here. The animals all seemed friendly and well cared for too. I highly recommend a visit!

I have been here many MANY years ago, back when the deer still roamed freely around the park & tried to steal your crackers. Decided to revisit when family w/kids came to visit; a Google search of things to do brought it up and I figured what the heck, it would take up a couple of hours for us adults and 2 kids who like animals. BIG hit with all involved. No, they do not have as many animals as a zoo or a couple of the other wildlife places farther away, but the animals they do have are entertaining and appear extremely well cared for. I particularly liked the lemurs, and feeding the Bison was uber cool because they grab the (provided) Romaine lettuce with their tongue and it's raspy when it touches your fingers! Definitely pay the $6 for the feed cups; not just the kids were stoked to feed the deer, Bison, goats, pony, alpacas, donkeys etc. We spent 2 1/2 hours walking the loop, feeding and petting various critters. With proper instruction you can even pet Hank, the resident show turkey. The one thing we didn't get to do because it was booked out ahead of time was the Sloth Encounter; if you want to do this make reservations well in advance. I'm looking forward to see what the new management will be adding to the sanctuary, as new enclosures are being built & outdoor areas being worked on. OH! Almost forgot the "gem mining". It's $10 a bag of sand to "mine" in the running water flume. The girls have done this numerous times before in some of those more popular north GA mining tourist traps but according to the parents this experience yielded MUCH better results (aka lots of actual cool stuff). Definitely recommend the entire experience.

If you love a good chance at getting some stunning pictures of nature, or even the animals. Or if you need a break from all your stress and just decompress by seeing these animals and feed them, this is the place for you! I went out there and I can't stop thinking about how gorgeous the place is with natural streams and perfect lighting. How happy the animals looked! The animals showed their Wonderful personalities!! Not just the animals were great, the staff there were all happy to answer any questions and talk with me! This place is definitely a 5 star business!!!

I suggest going here instead of the zoo. The setup is calming and relaxing. There's shade everywhere so you do not need to worry about being out in the sun and getting sunburned or overheating. The shade provides much coolness. They have a great petting zoo where you and your kiddos can pet and feed the animals. The workers there were very friendly and welcoming. Please go and support.

Fun little get away. Easy walking trails with great animals exhibits. We was able to catch the bears playing and the money's too. The rabbit farm was the kids best. Needed little bit more food in the cups but just look around the exhibits sometimes there extra to feed. Great place for the family to get out and spend time outdoors.

What a fantastic place to spend a few hours outside with the family. The staff was phenomenal and the improvements made to the facilities is second to none. They have outdone themselves with upgrades the type of animals that can be viewed. I am very proud to say this is in my community and can’t wait to go again and again.

Used to visit the old game ranch when my son was younger so we were interested to see the changes. It’s obvious the staff cares about the welfare of these animals. We had a great time walking and seeing the animals. Loved seeing Wiley and Carmine the wolves. Will return in warmer weather when the bears are active. Highly recommend getting the feed cup extra. One cup was enough for two of us.

Really fun place. Very clean

What a welcome, marked change from our last visit a few years ago! Plentiful and friendly staff were on hand to provide us information on the animals as well as the drastic improvements that have been made to the habitats they now reside in. Many of the animals that were there under the previous management are there still, but what a joy it must be for them now. The best has to be the upgraded residence for the bears. Any improvement over the cement pits they had been stuck in having food thrown at them would have been great, but the new ownership has really provided them with some comfy digs! This was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon with our toddler. She loved seeing all of the animals, especially those in the petting areas and the rabbit habitat. Our family favorite was Ferdinand the Bull. Epitome of a gentle giant. I never thought I would be okay with an 1800lb creature eating out of my daughter's hand! We will be buying an annual pass. Hopefully, at some point in the future, guests can have an opportunity to sponsor an animal with a donation, or even get a paving brick with the name on it. 11 out of 10!

Me and my husband took our sons(2 & a newborn) here for Halloween. We wanted our oldest to still be able to trick or treat but safely. The staff was warm, friendly & welcoming. The trick or treat stops were safely put together for the customer and the staff’s safety. They also have stations set up so you can wash/sanitize your hands as well as signs near all the animals to encourage social distancing. I highly recommend purchasing a feed cup. For $5 our son was thrilled to be able to feed and interact with the different animals. All in all this is a great place for families or couples or anyone really who enjoys animals and nature. I would also like to add we thought this was better than the zoo, the animals seemed much happier and well taken care of. We will definitely be back!

Absolutely amazing find nearly in the Shadow of Stone mountain! Easily booked tickets online the night before. Me and my 3 boys (11, 6, 4) had never been before and are SO glad we found YRWS. The food cups were generous and the boys absolutely loved feeding the rabbits. Between them, the VERY active lynx and the other animals, we will definitely be back.

A great place to go and see some Georgia wildlife and animals from other places. They have educational signs at every exhibit. You can easily feed many of the animals. Think of it as a small zoo and you’ll have a good time.

We use to go to YR when my kids were young and then when their kids came along. I haven’t been there in at least 4 years. WOW what a please it was to take the youngest granddaughter the other day. Clean, animals well taken care of, helpful people stationed throughout to teach and answer questions. The family that bought YR have done a great job and it is a pleasure to visit. What a treat!

Agree with the reviews. Was so happy to see that the new owners took the time to fix it up right. We had a great time and will definitely be returning. We also really liked that there were plenty of volunteers around to tell you about the animals and make you feel welcome. My oldest is 8 and my youngest is almost 2 for context. The oldest loved the bunny habitat and petting zoo. The youngest honestly just lives being outside and looking at everything.

My kids, nieces and I had a great time at Yellow River Sanctuary. I went as a kid but it had went down hill so the new owners have done an amazing job bringing it back to life. You can tell how much they love what they do and how they love these animals by how well it's taken care of. They are so kind and knowledgeable, very helpful with any questions we had about the animals.

Yellow River is so much better than i remember! It’s much cleaner and the animals look happier as well. Walking paths are clear and the gift shop has many nice trinkets as well. Would make an awesome trip for kids!

Very nice facility - my 4-y/o niece had a great time, especially with the bunnies!

I have been visiting the animal sanctuary off and on since I was nine years old. The improvements to the new sanctuary are amazing. I can't wait to see what phase 2 will bring. These animals are being so well taken care of. My husband and I had quite a few bonding moments with Ferdinand, omgeerrd we lurve him! He's such a sweet handsome boy. I am so proud of what the new owners and their team have accomplished, keep up the great work! Also of you enjoy feeding animals get more than 1 cup of food because these guys will eat it up quick.

Allot of animals were under care so couldn't see so much.

My family and I love going to Yellow River. We went about 10 years ago when it was under past management and it was a sad situation for the animals. With the new owners who took over a few years ago, this place is thriving for the animals and visitors. Most of it is shaded, so it’s not uncomfortable even in the middle of summer. The staff is very kind and professional and the living quarters for all of the animals are well kept and spacious. You can tell that the animals are all very happy. All of the animals come right up to you to eat.

Lovely sanctuary with bison, a lynx, a serval, coyote, a petting area and even gem mining to name a few. The staff and volunteers are very helpful and knowledgeable.

This is an amazing place for anyone with young children. Get the $5 food cup. It's a large cup with a whole heart of romaine and some baby carrots. Kids can feed and pet goats, a miniature horse, a donkey, sheep, bison, deer, and rabbits. There are lots of other animals to look at in their enclosures, which are clearly put together thoughtfully and with consideration to the animals' natural habitat. It's a great place to spend a couple of hours!

So much fun! The perfect size, not too big but well worth going to for an outing. The staff is friendly and accommodating and knowledgable. Animals are easily visible and interesting and the facilities are beautiful and well-maintained. Great for kids and also easily walkable for elderly too. Definitely will go again!

Absolutely LOVE coming here!!! This is my new "Happy Place". 1000x better than the Atlanta Zoo! You get to feed so many animals and cuddle with them. It's the cutest thing! And the staff is just AMAZING! Can't recommend it enough! Great for the entire family! :D

Had a great time with my wife. Feeding the animals was a blast! In my opinion it's 10x better than the Atlanta zoo.

We had a blast. It's a little pricey for a large group, but I know the money is going to care for the animals. It's been cleaned up quite a bit from the "game ranch" that was here decades ago. Keep up the good work! The employees were courteous and friendly. There were several animals not there, supposedly for winter, although I don't know why turtles can't survive a mild Georgia winter.

A Wildlife Wonderland: Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary Review I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary, and it turned out to be an unforgettable experience that exceeded all expectations. Nestled in the heart of nature, this sanctuary is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and families alike. One of the standout features of the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is undoubtedly its knowledgeable and friendly staff. From the moment I arrived, the team displayed a genuine passion for the animals and their well-being. They were not only willing to share fascinating facts about each species but also went the extra mile to ensure that visitors had a memorable and educational visit. The variety of animals housed in the sanctuary is truly remarkable. The expansive grounds provide a natural habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including bison, bulls, sloths, lemurs, lynx cats, and many more. Walking through the well-designed enclosures, it's evident that great care has been taken to recreate environments that closely resemble the animals' natural habitats. This attention to detail allows visitors to observe the creatures in a setting that prioritizes their health and happiness. Feeding the bison and interacting with the animals added an extra layer of excitement to the visit. The opportunity to hand-feed a bison bull or watch the playful antics of the lemurs created unforgettable moments that will stay with me for a lifetime. The staff provided guidelines to ensure both the visitors' and animals' safety during these interactions, fostering a sense of connection between humans and the incredible creatures residing in the sanctuary. The sanctuary's commitment to conservation and education is evident throughout the premises. Informative signage and educational programs contribute to a deeper understanding of the importance of wildlife preservation. The Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is not just a place to see animals; it's a hub for learning about the critical role each species plays in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems. In conclusion, the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is a gem for nature lovers seeking an enriching and delightful experience. The welcoming staff, combined with the wide variety of animals and interactive opportunities, make this sanctuary a must-visit destination for families, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone looking to connect with the beauty of the natural world. I left with a profound appreciation for the efforts put into creating a sanctuary that both cares for its residents and educates and inspires its visitors.

Great place! My son had a blast! They are very organized and the staff is super friendly. The place is big so the animals have space and you can feed most of them. It is an awesome activity for kids!

We went to this park today, and it was amazing! All the animals were so friendly and they just came right up to us. The staff here were super super nice and helpful. The best place to spend the weekend.

It was indeed an honor for our visit to be a small part of the YRW's noble mission of providing refuge and the best possible quality of life for these amazing creatures. We didn't get to "see" the American Black Bears as their home was no longer a confined space, but a natural habitat of woods with spaces to enable them to go into a torpor state for hibernation. The peafowl are brilliant, especially the albino peacock. What a treat to be able to feed some of the animals, so definitely add a food cup to your tour. Kids old and young especially loved the bunny petting area.

After a turn around by new management, Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary seems to have made some serious alterations. Although the space remains largely unchanged, there are not as many animals per exhibit, and most of them seem well-cared for and happy. I would say some of the animals could still probably do with some larger spaces, such as the birds and tree-based marsupials, but the rest seem to now have adequate room to move about and some of the extremely tight-quarters spaces are no longer in use at all. Sanctuary cost is average for such an adventure, though I'd say the 2-3 hours listed online is longer than most would spend here. A relaxing way to spend a cooler afternoon, there were definitely more staff hanging around to answer questions and check on the animals too! Congratulations to the current ownership, I hope you continue to improve the premises and atmosphere for the animals.

We Loved our visit!! The staff was very nice My boys had a blast! All the exhibits are looking really good and they continue to improve things. We will definitely come back again! It is a great family outing.

We visited on a Friday afternoon and had a great time. You can buy a food cup and feed several of the animals. Bison were gently taking lettuce and carrots from my hand along with a huge bull, a tiny bull, bunnies, a donkey, horse, deer, alpacas, goats and many other farm animals. You can see almost all animals up close. Well worth going. They are building a wonderful park and spending time with the animals keeping them active and happy. So glad it is open again and providing a place for animals who can’t be released in the wild.

Amazing staff and animals. A must see!

Went with my friend me we loved it! Proves that it’s great for any age, not just kids! Volunteers and staff walking around to help answer question and were super friendly. You can tell they really care for the animals and the animals show the love back to them. You can buy a cup of food to feed a few of the petting zoo animals which was fun. Loved the variety of animals and the grounds they were on!

We did the private tour today and it was worth every penny. We’d been since the sanctuary reopened but getting to walk around with a keeper and ask questions and interact with the animals was such a great experience. Our tour guide was full of so much information and stories about each animal. Highly recommend! 10/10!

First time here it was a great experience and the entire staff is very helpful and kind. My 3 year old fell in love with the sanctuary and the work they're doing here is great. We will be back for sure.

It was fun to come back as an adult and relive childhood memories of visiting YR. Staff is friendly and helpful with the animals.

My husband and I took our 18 month old Daughter. We’ve been pretty cautious due to COVID and were pleased to notice that most people were wearing masks, especially at appropriate times, (such as being closer to groups of people) including staff. There was also hand sanitizer and hand washing stations throughout. It was easy to distance. Grounds were clean and animals appeared well cared for. Staff was very friendly and helpful. The animal sanctuary has taken great care to restore this place and even enhance it. There were nice additions that placed an emphasis on animal education, and we appreciated reading reminders to attendees on how to act kindly and appropriately around the animals for their own welfare.

Loved it. Have never been here before. Would recommend it to everyone. Lots of staff available to explain about all the animals. Very clean enclosures lots to see.

Plenty of space for social distancing. We loved the animals and got in some good feeding time.

Nice setup after the remodeling and fun to feed and get up close with some animals. Make sure to buy a $5 feed cup for fun.

It is neat to be able to see the animals up close, especially the bison. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and friendly. It was fun for all ages. Clear and safe path throughout the facility.

Words can not describe how happy I am to see what they've done to this place. The staff is wonderful. The animals are clearly loved and cared for. For anyone who is hesitant due to the previous treatment of the animals, give the new owners a shot. They have outdoor themselves. Thank you for being back the wonders of my childhood.

I visited this place for my boyfriend’s birthday and our inner child immediately entered the room! We had a fun time feeding all the different animals and getting to see them so up close and personal. If you have kids, this would be a super fun trip for them!

We had such a nice visit to the Sanctuary. The staff and volunteers were so helpful and told us all about the animals. My kids learned so much. We stopped in to feed the bunnies last and could have stayed there all day. Really delightful visit

Took grandkids to visit the animals and we totally enjoyed the visit. The animals are well cared for and we were able to buy food to feed many of them. We will return.

Pulled up and right away saw some beautiful birds foraging in the parking lot. The river is beautiful as well!

We visited on 12.29.2020. It had been years since we went when it was still Yellow River Game Ranch. We stopped going until they finally closed altogether. Now, under new ownership, so many upgrades have been made! The majority of the walking path is now paved (though some is still dirt/gravel). Purchase the "feed cups". While only certain animals can be fed, it is truly a highlight. Our grandkids also enjoyed the Gem Mining. Okay, when I bought that ticket "add on" at $10/each, I had set myself up for disappointment the Gem Mining would be silly. All three kids (13, 11 and almost 9 -- plus me) had a load of fun sifting through our bags to find our gems! The kids absolutely found sifting for gems a load of fun! They are also doing a great job of spreading out arrival times. While there were other people around, we never found ourselves super close to anyone - and if we did get close, it was easy enough to move along and circle back to any animals we wanted to spend more time viewing. There are also guides along the way to answer questions and/or provide info about where the animals came from or if they were left over from when it was still the Game Ranch. One example was a serval that had been living in a one bedroom apartment as a PET. WHAT? she was rescued and now lives at the Sanctuary. I would highly recommend a visit for anyone of any age. Even if someone needs a wheelchair, as long as they are accompanied by someone who can push up some inclines, it would be easy enough to work around the dirt/gravel parts. And it is a gorgeous day to just be outside getting some fresh air!

Family of 9 - including a 3 year old and a 7 year old - enjoyed the morning visiting the Sanctuary on Dec. 31. It was a lovely experience. We felt safe and everyone enjoyed feeding the animals and visiting the gift store. Will go again soon!

Wonderful experience. A smaller but well taken care off sanctuary. Surprisingly, the bison are not the largest animal at this park. But you can feed the bison. Safely! And now you can also book an experience with the sloth up close and personal. Definitely well worth a visit.

We love coming here with our 3yr old. You walk kinda on a trail where they put different animals alongside the trail. You will be able to feed some of them. There’re also signs explaining. Both educational and entertaining. We’ll be back

Family friendly and great range of animals to see and even plenty to pet. Staff was helpful and kind.

The collection of animals (and a few birds) was fun to see at YRWS. Very nice atmosphere and enjoyed a tour of the grounds on chilly morning. The staff and volunteers are pleasant and helpful. I loved this local attraction!

We went to celebrate my daughter’s birthday! We had a great time! The facilities were clean and the animals were well taken care of!

I love coming here with my kids so we can see all the amazing animals. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable. We were excited to see the bears and the wolf cubs on our most recent trip. Love all the work this family does to make the sanctuary an enriching experience.