Tucked away in the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, The Wilds in Cumberland is one of the most remarkable wildlife conservation parks in all of North America. Spanning over 10,000 acres of reclaimed land, this incredible place gives visitors a chance to see rare and endangered animals roaming freely across wide-open pastures — no cages, no glass, just nature.
Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a family looking for an unforgettable adventure, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, The Wilds has something that will leave you speechless. From open-range safaris to ziplines and cozy yurt stays, this Ohio hidden gem is unlike anything else you’ve ever experienced.
The 10,000-Acre Open-Range Safari Experience
Forget everything you thought you knew about zoos. At The Wilds, animals aren’t behind bars or glass — they roam across thousands of acres of open land, living as close to a natural existence as possible in North America.
The main Open-Air Bus Safari is the heart of the experience, taking guests on a 2.5-hour guided journey through breathtaking terrain.
Knowledgeable guides share fascinating facts about each species, from the biology of white rhinos to the social habits of Bactrian camels. Animals often wander right up to the vehicle, giving visitors jaw-dropping close encounters that no traditional zoo could ever replicate.
Visitors have spotted rhinos, ostriches, American bison, and even watched a fawn take its first steps in the tall grass.
The sheer scale of the property makes every tour feel fresh and unpredictable. No two visits are ever exactly the same because the animals move freely and behave naturally.
Bringing binoculars is a great idea for spotting animals near the observation decks. With a 4.8-star rating from nearly 4,000 reviews, the Open-Range Safari at The Wilds, Cumberland, OH is consistently described as one of Ohio’s most memorable outdoor adventures.
The Wildside Off-Road Safari Tour
If the Open-Air Bus Safari is the appetizer, the Wildside Off-Road Safari is the full meal. Guests board a custom-built truck with padded seats and a canopy, then head off-road into corners of the property that the standard bus tour simply cannot reach.
Reviewers consistently call it the most thrilling experience at The Wilds, Cumberland, OH.
One of the biggest highlights is getting up close with the white rhinos, who have been known to walk right up and rub against the truck. On cooler days, guides take Wildside guests inside the giraffe barn, where visitors can hand-feed these towering animals eye to eye — an experience that guests describe as truly life-changing.
Bottled water is typically provided during the tour.
The Wildside Safari is a smaller, more intimate group experience, which means guides can answer more questions and tailor the tour to the group’s interests. It costs more than the standard bus tour, but nearly every reviewer agrees it is worth every penny.
Bring a zoom or telephoto camera lens if you have one — the close-range animal encounters create once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities that will make everyone back home seriously jealous.
Endangered Species Conservation Mission
The Wilds isn’t just a place to see cool animals — it was literally built to save them. Founded in 1984 as a partnership between the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the International Animal Foundation, The Wilds operates on land that was once strip-mined coal territory.
Reclaiming that land and turning it into a habitat for endangered species is one of the most remarkable conservation stories in American history.
Today, the park is home to dozens of species that are critically endangered in the wild, including Persian onagers, white rhinos, and Sichuan takin. Scientists and researchers at The Wilds work on breeding programs designed to help stabilize and grow populations of these rare animals.
When you visit, you’re not just having fun — your ticket purchase directly supports that ongoing conservation work.
Tour guides weave conservation facts naturally into every safari experience, helping visitors understand why these efforts matter on a global scale. Hearing about the challenges facing wild animal populations makes every sighting feel even more meaningful.
Many guests leave The Wilds with a new sense of responsibility toward wildlife protection. It’s rare to find a place where education, adventure, and genuine environmental impact all come together so powerfully in one location.
Nomad Ridge Yurt Accommodations
Spending the night at The Wilds is an entirely different level of experience. Nomad Ridge, the park’s overnight lodging area, offers beautifully appointed yurts that combine modern comfort with the feeling of sleeping right in the middle of nature.
Guests rave about the central air conditioning, mini-fridges, and surprisingly plush beds — this is glamping done right.
Each overnight stay includes breakfast and dinner at the Overlook Cafe, which multiple reviewers describe as genuinely delicious and well worth the price. Meals are served with sweeping views of the open meadows, making even a simple breakfast feel special.
Guests also receive a tour excursion included with each night of their stay, adding serious value to the overall package.
Evenings at Nomad Ridge have their own magic. The communal fire pit is a favorite gathering spot, where guests share stories, sip wine, and watch the sun sink below the hills.
Concierge staff like Lois — mentioned by name in multiple glowing reviews — go above and beyond to make every guest feel welcome. Some yurts have more challenging access paths, so if you’re bringing heavy luggage, it’s worth asking about easier-access options when you book.
Staying overnight transforms The Wilds from a day trip into a full-blown retreat.
Ziplining Adventures at The Wilds
For those who want their adrenaline served with a side of scenic beauty, the zipline tour at The Wilds is an absolute must. The 10-course zipline experience sends guests soaring above the open landscape, offering bird’s-eye views of the same meadows and hillsides where the animals roam below.
It’s exhilarating in a way that feels completely unique to this setting.
Reviewers describe the zipline course as feeling like a great length for the price, with enough variety in the runs to keep things exciting from start to finish. The staff running the zipline tours are well-trained, safety-conscious, and enthusiastic, making first-timers feel comfortable and confident before they step off the platform.
One tip that multiple guests mention: dress warmly if the weather is cool or windy, because the speed of the lines makes the air feel much colder than it does on the ground.
Combining the zipline experience with a safari tour and an overnight yurt stay creates what many visitors call the ultimate Wilds weekend. The park’s shuttle buses make it easy to move between the different activity areas without any hassle.
Whether you’re a seasoned adventure-seeker or trying ziplining for the first time, this is one activity that consistently earns enthusiastic five-star praise from guests of all ages.
Horseback Riding and Nature Exploration
There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned about exploring wild land on horseback, and The Wilds offers exactly that. Horseback riding tours let guests experience the property’s stunning natural landscape from a completely different perspective than the safari bus — slower, quieter, and more intimate with the surroundings.
It’s the kind of activity that feels both adventurous and deeply calming at the same time.
The rides are guided by knowledgeable staff who share information about the land, the animals, and the park’s conservation work along the way. Even guests who have never ridden a horse before can participate, as the program is designed to be accessible to beginners.
The horses are well-cared-for and well-tempered, which puts nervous first-timers at ease quickly.
Riding through the reclaimed landscape of The Wilds gives a powerful sense of just how much this land has transformed over the decades. What was once scarred strip-mine territory is now lush, rolling terrain full of life.
That contrast is something guides often highlight during the ride, adding an emotional depth to what might otherwise just be a fun trail ride. For families with kids who love animals, combining horseback riding with one of the safari tours makes for an incredibly full and memorable day at The Wilds, Cumberland, OH.
White Rhino Encounters Up Close
Ask any repeat visitor to The Wilds what their single most unforgettable moment was, and there’s a good chance it involves a white rhino. These massive, prehistoric-looking animals are one of the park’s biggest stars, and they have a reputation for getting surprisingly cozy with vehicles on the Wildside Safari.
One reviewer described the rhinos rubbing against the jeep — a moment that is equal parts thrilling and hilarious.
White rhinos are listed as near-threatened in the wild, making The Wilds’ breeding and conservation program especially significant. The park currently houses a number of these animals and has had success with its conservation breeding efforts over the years.
Seeing them up close, without a fence or barrier in the way, gives visitors a visceral understanding of why protecting these animals matters so urgently.
Interestingly, private car tours were discontinued at The Wilds specifically after rhinos were introduced to the property — a fun fact that guides often share on tour. The animals’ size and unpredictability made open personal vehicles impractical for safety reasons.
Today, the structured safari format ensures everyone stays safe while still getting remarkably close to these magnificent creatures. For wildlife lovers, a rhino encounter at The Wilds is the kind of story you’ll be telling for years.
The Overlook Cafe and Gift Shop
After hours of exploring the open range, a good meal and a comfortable place to sit become incredibly welcome. The Overlook Cafe at The Wilds serves food that guests genuinely look forward to — not the kind of forgettable theme-park fare you might expect.
Reviewers who stayed overnight at Nomad Ridge consistently highlight the included breakfast and dinner as highlights of their trip, praising both the quality and the views from the dining area.
The cafe’s panoramic windows frame the meadows below in a way that makes every meal feel like a nature documentary. Gazing out over the vast landscape while enjoying a hot meal after a morning safari has a calming, almost meditative quality that guests find hard to describe but easy to love.
It’s a great spot to decompress and reflect on everything you witnessed during the tour.
The gift shop adjacent to the cafe is well-stocked with wildlife-themed merchandise, educational books, souvenirs, and even practical items like ponchos for rainy days. Purchasing items here also supports the park’s conservation mission, which makes browsing feel a little more meaningful than your average gift shop experience.
Staff throughout the cafe and shop area are consistently praised for being friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about the work being done at The Wilds, Cumberland, OH.
Cheetah Viewing on the Elevated Boardwalk
Cheetahs are among the most electrifying animals on earth, and The Wilds has found a brilliant way to let visitors observe them safely without compromising the experience. The elevated boardwalk gives guests an overhead perspective of the cheetah habitat, looking down at the animals as they rest, pace, or play in their open space below.
No fence interrupts the view — just a railing and a breathtaking sightline.
One reviewer specifically called out this boardwalk experience as a standout moment of their visit, noting how different it felt compared to seeing big cats behind glass at a traditional zoo. The elevated angle actually gives a surprisingly intimate view of the animals’ movements and behavior, and knowledgeable guides are usually on hand to explain cheetah biology and the threats these animals face in the wild today.
Cheetahs are classified as vulnerable, with fewer than 7,000 estimated to remain in the wild. Seeing them in this kind of open, naturalistic setting adds weight to that statistic in a way that no textbook ever could.
Photography enthusiasts will want a telephoto lens for the best shots from the boardwalk. Early morning visits tend to catch the cheetahs at their most active, so planning your tour timing around the boardwalk stop is a smart move for animal lovers.
Practical Tips for Visiting The Wilds
Planning ahead makes a huge difference when visiting The Wilds in Cumberland, OH. Booking your safari tour in advance is strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months, because spots fill up quickly and walk-in availability is limited.
The park’s website at thewilds.org is the best place to compare tour options, check availability, and lock in your reservation before you make the drive out to Guernsey County.
Reviewers consistently recommend visiting when temperatures are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, because warmer weather means giraffes and camels are out in the open range rather than sheltered in their barns. Bringing binoculars significantly enhances the experience, particularly at observation decks and during sections of the tour where animals are grazing at a distance.
A poncho or light rain jacket is also worth tossing in your bag, since the open-air bus offers no protection from a sudden sprinkle.
The park is well set up for guests with mobility needs, with accessible options available across most of the main experience areas. Shuttle buses run between activity zones, so you won’t need to walk long distances between stops.
Guests are also advised to bring their own water bottles, especially for the zipline and longer safari tours. Arriving with realistic expectations and a flexible attitude ensures the best possible time at this one-of-a-kind Ohio destination.