Tucked away in the rolling hills of Jones Mills, Pennsylvania, Living Treasures Animal Park is one of those rare places that surprises you in the best possible way. With over 70 species from around the world, this park goes far beyond a typical petting zoo, offering hands-on feeding experiences that kids and adults absolutely love.
At just $20 per person, it delivers incredible value and memories that stick with you long after you leave. Whether you are planning a family day trip or just passing through southwestern Pennsylvania, this is a stop worth making.
Hand-Feeding Animals Up Close
Few experiences compare to the moment an animal gently takes food directly from your hand. At Living Treasures Animal Park, that moment happens over and over again throughout your visit.
Right at the entrance, you can purchase bags of carrots, dry kibble, and other treats specifically chosen for the animals inside.
Clear signage throughout the park tells you exactly which animals eat which food, so there is no guessing involved. This thoughtful setup makes the experience smooth and stress-free for families with young children.
Staff members are also on hand to guide visitors and answer questions.
Reviewers consistently praise this feature as the highlight of their visit. One guest even recommended buying four bags of food right from the start because you will want to keep feeding animals the entire time.
The interactions feel personal and unhurried, which is something you rarely get at larger zoos. Animals approach the fence on their own terms, making every encounter feel authentic and special rather than forced or staged.
An Impressive Variety of Over 70 Species
Walking through Living Treasures Animal Park feels a little like flipping through a wildlife encyclopedia. The park is home to more than 70 species, ranging from familiar farm animals to genuinely exotic creatures you would not expect to find in rural Pennsylvania.
Visitors have spotted white tigers, sloths, kangaroos, camels, brown bears, monkeys, wallabies, peacocks, porcupines, and much more during a single visit. Each enclosure features a photo, name, and informational card about the animal, including its habitat, diet, and origin.
That educational touch adds real depth to the experience without feeling like a classroom.
One reviewer described the variety as “genuinely surprising” and noted that the park feels much larger than it actually is because of how thoughtfully everything is arranged. The circular layout means you naturally loop through every section without missing anything.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a returning guest, there always seems to be something new to notice. The sheer diversity of animals packed into this park is one of the biggest reasons people keep coming back season after season.
A Relaxed, Pressure-Free Atmosphere
One of the most refreshing things about Living Treasures Animal Park is how completely relaxed the whole experience feels. Nobody is rushing you along, and there are no strict tour schedules to follow.
You move at your own pace, linger as long as you like at your favorite animals, and simply enjoy being present.
As one enthusiastic reviewer put it, the zoo allows guests and animals to be themselves, with no one breathing down your back. That laid-back energy makes a real difference, especially for families with young children who need a little extra time at each stop.
The park is also stroller and wagon-friendly, so parents do not have to worry about navigating difficult terrain.
Picnic tables and shaded pavilions are scattered throughout the grounds, giving families a place to sit down, eat lunch, and recharge before continuing. Visitors are even welcome to bring their own food and beverages.
This combination of freedom, comfort, and accessibility creates an atmosphere that feels more like a casual outing in nature than a formal zoo visit. It is the kind of place where you exhale the moment you walk in.
The Beloved Petting Zoo Area
Goats that trot right up to you, sheep that nuzzle your hand, and curious pigs that sniff around your feet — the petting zoo section at Living Treasures Animal Park is pure joy for younger visitors. This area is designed so that children can get as close as they want to the animals in a safe, supervised environment.
Unlike exhibits where animals stay behind thick glass, this section puts kids and animals on equal footing. The tactile experience of touching fur, feeling an animal breathe, and making that one-on-one connection is something children remember for years.
Parents often find themselves just as captivated as their kids.
Reviewers with toddlers and young children consistently rate this section as a standout feature. One parent mentioned having her young grandson on FaceTime the entire time so he could see the animals up close from a distance.
Another noted that the interactive nature of the park made it more enjoyable than larger, more formal zoos. For families with children who are experiencing animals for the first time, the petting zoo area at Living Treasures offers a wonderfully warm and welcoming introduction.
Exotic Highlights: Sloths, White Tigers, and Bears
Not every small-town animal park can boast sloths, white tigers, and brown bears — but Living Treasures Animal Park absolutely can. These exotic residents tend to stop visitors in their tracks, and for good reason.
Seeing a white tiger up close, even through a fence, is an unforgettable moment that no photograph fully captures.
The sloths have earned a particularly devoted fan base among visitors. Multiple reviewers called them “incredible” and mentioned rushing back to see them on repeat visits.
The bears, while some guests wished for a larger enclosure, are clearly well-fed and healthy, drawing crowds who linger to watch their slow, deliberate movements.
What makes these exotic encounters even more special is the context. You are not standing in a massive stadium-style zoo with hundreds of people jostling for a view.
At Living Treasures, the scale is intimate enough that you can actually take your time observing these remarkable animals. The informational cards next to each enclosure add fascinating background on each species.
For animal lovers of any age, getting this close to such rare creatures in a relaxed setting is genuinely extraordinary and well worth the trip alone.
Kangaroos and Wallabies You Can Watch Up Close
Kangaroos are not exactly a common sight in Pennsylvania, which makes the enclosure at Living Treasures Animal Park feel like a genuine treat. Visitors can watch these marsupials hop around and rest just a few feet away, close enough to appreciate their unique build and surprisingly expressive faces.
Wallabies share a similar enclosure nearby, and the two species together create one of the most talked-about sections of the park. Reviewers frequently mention the kangaroos as personal favorites, with one visitor calling them the highlight of an already impressive visit.
The animals appear comfortable around people, which makes watching them feel natural rather than performative.
For children who have only ever seen kangaroos in books or on television, this encounter is a genuine wow moment. The up-close access gives kids a real sense of scale and personality that no screen can replicate.
Parents appreciate that the enclosure is easy to navigate with strollers and that there is usually enough space to get a clear view without pushing through a crowd. Living Treasures does a commendable job of making these unusual animals feel like neighbors rather than curiosities locked behind barriers.
The Education Center and Reptile Exhibits
Connected to the gift shop, the Education Center at Living Treasures Animal Park adds a whole new layer to the experience. Inside, visitors find a fascinating collection of reptiles and amphibians housed in well-maintained tanks.
Snakes, lizards, frogs, and other cold-blooded creatures fill the space with quiet, captivating energy.
What really sets this area apart is the live animal demonstrations that educators bring out during scheduled visits. During school field trips and group events, a staff member brings out animals for children to observe and pet firsthand.
One reviewer who attended a second-grade field trip described it as a highlight that left kids buzzing with excitement for the rest of the day.
Even outside of organized events, the reptile exhibits are worth exploring at your own pace. The tanks are clearly labeled with species names, fun facts, and habitat information, making it easy to learn something new without feeling like you are studying.
For kids who are fascinated by creatures that most people find a little creepy, this section is an absolute paradise. It rounds out the park experience beautifully, adding educational depth to what is already an incredibly engaging outdoor adventure for the whole family.
The Gift Shop Experience
Some gift shops feel like an afterthought, but the one at Living Treasures Animal Park is genuinely part of the fun. Stocked with an impressive range of items, the shop carries animal-themed apparel, stuffed animals, magnets, postcards, candies, and even a selection of minerals and crystals.
There is something for every budget and every age group.
One quirky fan favorite is the powder candy machine, where visitors can fill a tube with their choice of flavored powders. Kids love it, and honestly, so do the adults.
Souvenir penny collectors will also be happy to know there are two pressed penny machines on-site, so remember to bring quarters and pennies.
Prices throughout the shop are described by reviewers as reasonable and fair, especially compared to larger attractions. The park also offers a Veterans discount that applies to both admission and gift shop purchases, which is a thoughtful touch.
Staff in the shop are friendly and helpful without being pushy. Whether you are picking up a small memento or loading up on gifts for people back home, the gift shop at Living Treasures wraps up your visit on a genuinely satisfying note that feels like a natural extension of the whole park experience.
Seasonal Fun and Halloween Decorations
Fall might just be the most magical time to visit Living Treasures Animal Park. As temperatures drop and leaves change color, the park transforms into a festive wonderland with Halloween decorations spread throughout the grounds.
Carved pumpkins, spooky displays, and glowing lights create an atmosphere that feels both thrilling and family-friendly.
One reviewer who visited during a school field trip in fall mentioned that the kids were just as excited about the Halloween decorations as they were about the animals. And that is saying something.
The evening light displays are particularly impressive, giving the park an entirely different personality after dark. Hearing the animals at night while surrounded by glowing decorations is a surprisingly memorable experience.
The park also accommodates all weather conditions reasonably well. Families have reported enjoying visits even on cooler or overcast days, noting that the animals are often more active in cooler temperatures.
Living Treasures seems to lean into the changing seasons rather than shutting down when summer ends, which makes it a destination worth revisiting throughout the year. If you have only visited in warmer months, a fall trip will feel like discovering the park all over again with fresh eyes and a warm cider in hand.
Admission Value, Season Passes, and Nearby Lodging
At around $20 per person for general admission, Living Treasures Animal Park delivers outstanding value compared to larger regional zoos. For families who want to make the most of their investment, season passes are available and make repeat visits an easy decision.
Multiple reviewers mentioned considering season passes after just one trip, which speaks volumes about the experience.
The adjoining Log Cabin Inn and Lodge add an extra layer of convenience for out-of-town visitors. Guests staying at the inn often receive discounted or complimentary zoo admission, making a weekend getaway both affordable and unforgettable.
Booking a cabin and spending a full day at the park has become a popular tradition for many Pennsylvania families.
Parking is free and dedicated, though it can fill up on busy days, so arriving early is a smart move. The park also honors a Veterans discount on both admission and gift shop purchases.
With a concession stand, picnic areas, a playground, and wheelchair-accessible paths, everything is in place for a full day of fun without hidden costs adding up unexpectedly. Living Treasures manages to feel like a premium experience while keeping prices grounded, which is exactly the kind of balance that turns first-time visitors into loyal regulars.