Claws 'N' Paws Wild Animal Park - Lake Ariel, PA
Claws ‘N’ Paws Wild Animal Park: A Unique Family and Dog-Friendly Attraction in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the scenic woods of the Poconos, Claws ‘N’ Paws Wild Animal Park offers a unique animal encounter experience perfect for families and visitors exploring dog-friendly activities in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. This charming zoo provides peaceful, open-air walks beneath the trees, making it an inviting spot for guests who appreciate nature and seek a relaxing day out. The park is known for its easygoing, rustic vibe, a wide variety of animals—including the star giraffe Jethro—natural walking paths, and helpful staff ready to answer your questions along the way.
Although the primary focus is on animal exhibits, the spacious wooded walkways and tranquil setting make this a welcoming stop for pet lovers searching for opportunities to enjoy pet-friendly trails and dog-friendly hiking nearby. The wide, sometimes rough, paths add to the rustic charm, and the location’s peaceful atmosphere is ideal for a laid-back visit. Children will especially enjoy the up-close animal experiences and birthday party opportunities. Reasonable prices and on-site parking are bonuses for visiting families.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, there is an admission fee, but visitors report it is reasonable for the experience.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? While not hiking trails per se, the park features natural, wooded walking paths between animal enclosures.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the park is set in the woods, offering plenty of natural shade along the walkways.
- Is the park open year-round? Not specified; visitors are encouraged to check weather forecasts and possibly call ahead to confirm hours.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Not specifically stated, but the park is designed to accommodate families and groups, so seating may be available.
- Is there parking available? Yes, free on-site parking is available for visitors.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Walkways are wide, but can be rough due to the natural, wooded terrain.
Reviews
This zoo pleasantly surprised us. Alot of great animals and a chance to see them up close and personal. Jethro the giraffe stole the show. Such a sweet and kind animal.Drew his handler was beyond awesome. Took time to explain and answer any questions we had. Zoo is perfect for kids and adults. Certainly will keep visiting this zoo when ever we are in this area.
We spent the most amazing day at Claws N Paws celebrating our daughter’s 6th birthday! 🌿 It was so peaceful — we arrived first thing in the morning and practically had the place to ourselves. A beautiful walk through the woods paired with so many incredible animals made it such a special experience. The girls loved every moment (and so did we!). Highly recommend for a family day out!
This zoo offers a unique experience with interactive animal feedings, including giraffes, goats, and deer, and a close-up view of animals like lions, tigers, and wolves. The staff was friendly and informative. The price to enter was reasonable. It was clean and well-maintained. We did order from the snack stand, options were limited but prices were reasonable as well. It does look like other families packed meals which is good to know..
My daughter and I visited today!! We had the BEST time. Love the setup doesn’t feel commercialized feels like a zoo. I think the price to get in was reasonable. The snack bar was reasonable and the variety of animals is very good. Some of the enclosures do seem a tad small but the animals look well taken care of. We will definitely be back. This was a first time visit for us!!
It was a good surprise. I mean, there is nothing fancy about this zoo. It is in the middle of the woods and it is pretty small but we were impressed by the animals they have. When we went there, there was not many people so you can easily see it all in an hour. The only thing is the feeding times, where it is worth waiting and doing it with the star of the zoo, which is the giraffe. People who works here are extremely nice as well. If you are in the area is a good option for young kids, we took our 4 years old kid and he loved it.
Well, we spent a little over 2 hours there. The animals were housed apart nicely, so there was a good bit of walking. We found the walkways a bit rough, but truly, we are in the poconos with trees and a variety of weather. It kind of added to the atmosphere.
The walkways were very wide…so easy to accommodate large groups.
Def a big variety of animals…and well cared for.
My granddaughter enjoyed it, especially being able to see the animals eating and moving around.
I think it def would be a place to stop in.
As described, it truly is open air
..so you may want to double check the weather forecast.