The Wilds
The Wilds is a stunning conservation park that transformed 10,000 acres of reclaimed land into a thriving habitat for endangered species. Visitors can enjoy safari-style tours, including exclusive small group wildlife encounters on the Wildside Tour, and stay in deluxe yurts with beautiful views. The park offers accessible facilities, kid-friendly hikes, and a variety of amenities including public restrooms, parking, and dining experiences. It is highly recommended for animal lovers seeking an educational and immersive outdoor adventure in Ohio.
Reviews
The Wilds was one of the best things we have ever done. We had an amazing “Wildside” tour with just 6 of us in the truck. We splurged for the more expensive tour and I am so glad we were able to do so. Petting a rhino was a top 10 event in my life.
It is clear how much people love the animals and how well they are cared for. If you are in the fence, just do it. Amazing educational experience!
The best safari this side of the Atlantic!
An amazing place with multiple tour options to experience. For animal lovers, the Wildside Tour is highly recommended as you will be in a small group with an experienced guide and get up-close encounters with some incredible species. Staying in a yurt seems cool (I have not done this) and the ziplining experience is a totally different perspective of the park and animals!
The history of the area and the the fact that the park is 5x larger than what you see with the animals is all very cool. I highly recommend the 15 minute drive to the Big Muskie bucket to accompany your Wilds visit
This is an amazing experience. Almost like an African safari. I recommend spending the extra and do the jeep tour. If you want an up close and personal experience with animals, this is your place. It was a 2-hour drive for me, and it was totally worth it. I will be visiting again.
If you live anywhere close to The Wilds, or if you’re visiting the Columbus area, you NEED to visit The Wilds…unless you hate animals.
My husband & I visited The Wilds MANY years ago (10 to 12 yesterday ago). It has changed quite a bit since then. I don’t remember them having a lodge or cabins before. It is STILL beautiful there. Luckily, we had perfect weather when we visited on 5-18-25. It was high 60s or so. The skies were clear, so we did the open-air tour. Our tour lasted about 2.5 hours. We had the BEST time! I hope to go back again. The staff was so GREAT!
Just returned from an unforgettable trip to The Wilds! 🦓🌿
We stayed in a yurt—and not just any yurt, but a deluxe, picture-perfect one with stunning views! Our stay included a gourmet dinner and breakfast in a private area at the Lookout—absolutely first-class and delicious.
Also included: free parking and a scenic bus tour of the grounds. We opted to add on the Wildside Tour, which was well worth the splurge. Riding in special safari vehicles that seat only 8 people, we got up close and personal with some incredible wildlife!
The staff at The Wilds were top-notch—courteous, welcoming, and made the entire experience a joy.
If you’re exploring Ohio, The Wilds is a must-see destination. It’s amazing to witness how 10,000 acres of land once devastated by strip mining have been transformed into a thriving conservation site that protects and nurtures endangered species.
Highly recommend the adventure! 🦒🌾🚌