I got there early and got to observe the big cats before doing their tour. The tour is so worth it as they share cat information and the upkeep. The cats are well maintained. They have a bit too. Staff is very friendly and seemed to enJoy their work read more

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NO ONE SHOULD GO AND SUPPORT THIS PLACE! I went a few year agos and it is terrible! Its name in Federal records is CJ's Great Cats World Park Inc and Robert and Bonnie Ringo. This is a roadside zoo that isn't accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) (think Tiger King). They've been inspected by the Federal USDA's APHIS division 17 times and had 10 findings in just the past 5 years (including 3 times in 2026) with 14 findings overall since 2014. In September 2007, it was sentenced by a federal court to one month probation for violation of the Endangered Species Act and fined $10,000 when then owner Craig Wagner pleaded guilty in June 2007 to purchasing the park's ocelot for $3,000, which is illegal. USDA has confirmed that federal complaints against the facility had been filed after four reports of animal bites over the years. They claim they participate in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSP) for their endangered animals, but I can't find any evidence of that and given their reputation and since they are not AZA accredited, it seems unlikely that they are participating in breeding or otherwise keeping these endangered species alive. So much for their "sincerity" The "layout" of this "nice, small, zoo" that prevents the cats from having privacy away from crowds (which is why bigger zoos are bigger) mean the cages are small. Eleven acres for 50 cats alone is not near enough space - just look at their Visitor Info main page photo and/or Google Maps Satellite view to see the truth about this "nice, small, zoo". The "real plants" are dying grass and bare patches of dirt. The "real terrain" is one hill - just look at the site in Google Maps Terrain or Satellite view. The "knowledgeable guides" are not certified AZA Professional zookeepers. The guides use the "treat sticks" to bang on the cages to get the cats to roar and jump up on the bars for photos. "Glossy coats" are not a sufficient sign of animal welfare. Ask the guides and some will honestly tell you that the cats are there because they rent them out to the entertainment industry, not for education or conservation. When it comes to big, expensive, animals, I think "glossy and corporate" can mean they actually have the knowledge and money to care for their animals. Go to Wildlife Safari in Winston, OR instead, they are AZA Accredited and participate in AZA SSPs. read more

Love stopping by this place on vacation. Very educational especially for little ones. They have a huge variety of exotic cats. We've taken the tour many times and I l always something new. read more

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Stopped in here on a vacation with my family, we found a clean, well-maintained, educational experience. They have cats of all sizes--from the 5lb Geoffrey's cat to the nearly 600lb Bengal tiger. Our tour guide, Lindsay, clearly LOVES her job. She was able to engage with everyone in our group, from age 4 to 70, and knew the best ways to get each cat to show off for us. She was full of fun insights and tidbits. It was interesting to learn that the owner is a legend in the cat community. He was kind enough to spend 10 minutes with us, sharing some of his experiences, both good and bad. On the wall, he was quoted as saying: "Tigers are the most unpredictable animal in the world. They'll kill you without feeling bad and they're not even worried about going to prison!" We're lucky to have such an incredible team of people caring for and conserving the legacies of these cats. Worth the visit! read more

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The grounds aren't anything fancy, but the access to the animals is incredible. I've never been this close to tigers, lions, leopards, and so many other big cats. It was honestly a little mind-blowing. Everything was clean, and the animals looked well cared for. You can tell the staff really cares about them and knows their stuff. If you're anywhere near Cave Junction, it's definitely worth stopping in. A unique and memorable experience for sure. read more

Great Cats World Park - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

Last week I took a friend to this wonderful haven for big cats that need to be rescued and, hopefully, bred to keep them from becoming extinct. It was a thrill to see how one of the huge male lions loved on Craig, the founder and owner. The lion obviously adores him. This week I took two more friends plus my husband. It was a totally different tour in terms of cat behavior but equally wonderful. I really appreciate how extremely healthy all of the cats are. It is obvious how well cared for they are. Their enclosures are spacious with grass, trees, and in some cases ponds of water. This is a very special place. The tour guides are wonderful as well as well as all the interesting information that they provide about the cats including how few there are left on Earth. It is marvelous to see how the cats interact with them -- sometimes rolling on the ground and purring. And, believe me, that would be a BIG purr. If you love big cats as I do, I highly recommend it. read more

I have been to many zoos in wild animal parks around the world. The Great Cats World Park has impressed me like no other. Firstly the wonderful steps that are being taken to preserve these magnificent creatures is beyond wonderful. Secondly yes, he visitor you're staff's in depth and wonderful knowledge about these cats. And their individual situations. Really makes. For an enlightening experience. If I could give more than 5 Stars I would, we live 1000 miles away but will absolutely be back and I have already told friends and family. read more

This is a great zoo type of experience it's so nice to experience wild life cats in cave junction you get to pet and hold baby cats the gift shop is decent sized kids and adults will enjoy the big lions read more

This is a must if you're in the area. The admission price gives you the option of a self tour or guided tour. I strongly recommend the guided tour since the tour guides give out carnivorous snacks to the cats providing spectacular up close views. You do not see cats up close like this at any zoo plus the tour guides provide expert history and current facts about the cats. **bonus - there is a Dutch Bros located 3 minutes away for your refreshment before or after your visit. read more

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It's a very unassuming place when you pull up and we even questioned if the entrance fee would be worth it. We took our chances and we're so glad we did! They said the next tour takes place in 10 minutes so we decided to wait around for the tour guide. Again, a great decision on our part and I highly having a guide because they are able to coax the cats right up to the fence and have them stand up to display their awesome size. The cats (and porcupines) are all well cared for. Sure, you might feel bad that they are stuck in an enclosure, but all the cats were captivity bred (which they'll provide all that information for you). And the breeding program is fascinating to hear about. We've never been this close to any predators so it was a really great experience that my entire family enjoyed (15 yo, 7 yo and husband). BTW Brittany was an excellent tour guide. She's a young gal but don't let that fool you. She provided a ton of information and for answers she couldn't provide she phoned her helpline. Definitely check this place out and support their cause. read more

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Stunning cats, knowledgeable and friendly staff. I was surprised how much I enjoyed visiting this facility. I have driven passed it countless times and I am so happy I finally went there. It was a bit breezy on the day I went so the "cat" smell was almost nonexistant. I will go again, you should too. read more

If you love cats you owe it to yourself to visit the Great Cats World Park in Cave Junction Oregon. While unassuming at first, the staff and management truly care about the animals and it shows. The cages are clean and well designed. The cats are healthy and care for their keepers. You will probably never this close to wild cats. read more

What a wonderful experience to see beautiful cats in a well kept environment. Craig's personal interactions with the cats made the whole experience well worth it! read more

Contrary to what some people leave negative reviews; these exotic cats are rescues, not taken from wild to be here. All visitors money supports their well being. I encourage support, who will take these in otherwise? read more

This park is sickening and lacks the basic safety and care for wild animals. Upon my visit I reported this park to USDA, PETA, and a few other local people that could help. Here is the info I found... The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited the park for allowing a young jaguar to have direct contact with a reporter, which was deemed unsafe public contact. In 2016, a tiger attacked an employee who had to be hospitalized for her injuries. Previously, a leopard bit a teenager who was permitted to hold the big cat on a leash for a photo. The leopard was placed in the gift shop unattended, where an adult visitor and a toddler were attacked after they entered. The USDA has ordered Great Cats World Park to pay a $6,000 penalty to settle several alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including when it repeatedly failed to protect the public by exhibiting big cats without a public barrier. STILL HAS NO BARRIER. Can see the cages from the highway.. safe right?? Great Cats also has a long history of citations for failing to maintain enclosures in good repair--risking animal injury or escape. Owner Craig Wagner has hauled animals around the country to Renaissance Fairs. Why is this allowed to go on? As you know, the USDA licenses animal exhibitors but, unfortunately, the laws protecting captive animals are pitifully WEAK. The federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) sets forth only minimum requirements for animal care, and for the most part, only addresses basic husbandry issues. According to the AWA, for example, animals must be fed, watered, and sheltered, yet space requirements only mandate that the animals be able to make "normal postural changes" (i.e. allow them enough room to stand up, lie down, and turn around). There is NO REQUIREMENT for grass, shrubbery or other natural vegetation. Some species, including horses, reptiles, fish, and others, are afforded no protection. This is such a shame and just shows that the USDA works with these corrupt animal abusers to ensure they get money out of them somehow. These violations are continued to be allowed as long as the violated pays up. Because the laws are so minimal, it is often difficult to attack zoos from a legal standpoint. You may find that the cages are tiny, the animals look hot and dispirited, or that the animals are displaying stereotypic behavior, but due to lax enforcement, these issues are rarely cited. Even when exhibitors are consistently found non-compliant during inspections, they are typically allowed time to make "improvements." PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND STOP PATRONIZING ANY PLACE THAT USES OR DISPLAYS ANIMALS. We will work tirelessly until all places like this are closed. read more

Really enjoyed visit. The staff have a wonderful relationship with the animals. The director has devoted his life to the care of the cats and the education of the public about keeping them well and understanding their importance in the world read more

A place where you can see big cats up close? You bet. I enjoy coming here when I'm in the region. It has been amazing to watch Disel grow from a 10 month old cub to the mature cat he is now. The tour guides all have their favorite they like to tell more about. I can hardly wait to take my family some day this summer. Hopefully they have more options for snacks since it's easy to loose hours there while watching such majestic animals. read more

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The average person will likely never get an opportunity to these types of animals up close so I would definitely recommend it to anyone with an interest in big wild cats. They have a number species that you likely have never heard of. NOTE: (why it didn't get 5 stars). It seemed (on the day I went with my wife) that there weren't enough staff on duty that day. Two people were running every tasks from caretaking, cleaning, gift shop, food cart, etc. It made the wait for the tour a little long. You can go on a self-guided tour but I would absolutely recommend the tour which allows you to see the animals up close and interacting. The staff were also extremely knowledgeable so definitely, DO THE TOUR. I also wish the gift shop had a little more to offer but its not bad. The whole park can be seen (even with the tour) in a relatively short time so it's not an all day event, but with a decent admission price it makes it still worth it. read more

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I made a special trip to Cave Junction after hearing and reading nice things about this place. When I rolled into the parking lot, there were 2 cars there. I walked through the gift shop and was escorted to the tour guide who was just finishing up a tour. We sat on wooden benches and listened to her tell us about each big cat. She would hang raw meat on the fence to get them to stay near us. After the tour, I walked around a bit and tried to take some photographs. Here's my feeling about the place: I don't like it. I thought the chain link fenced enclosures were way too small. I noticed that none of the cats had companions and were alone. When I asked why the lioness was alone, she said the lion was there but the two of them "hated each other. So when one of them dies, we'll get a whole pride." I'm thinking, "What???" I cannot imagine them caring for a a family of lions to be truthful. I asked where they got all these cats and she said "they were born in captivity." I also noticed there was not much in the way of shade nor was there any water in which they could cool off or play. I saw and witnessed no interaction or play environment in any of the enclosures. Providing a home for wild animals means providing for their physical, mental, and emotional needs and I just didn't feel this was happening here. It was obvious that the cats are loved and seemed to be in fine physical condition. Their coats looked beautiful. BUT. Even if this isn't touted as a zoo per say, it certainly presents to the public that way. I personally feel these magnificent cats deserve a better home and life than they're getting here. read more

Great Cats World Park - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

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The most amazing time! The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly! We learned so much and would come back again! Was able to be really close too which was so cool. read more

Great Cats World Park - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

This place was depressing; the animals seemed hot in the summer. All seemed depressed. I am not sure why this place exists. It all feels extremely cruel; cats isolated in small cages suffering in the heat. I cried. read more

What an amazing place!! Our Harley Owners Group and Black Sheep had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Great Cats World Park today! The cats were some of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen, you could really tell that they are well taken care of!! Their habitats were immaculate and well laid out, the water in their ponds was clean and the entire park was well maintained! Along with the amazing cats was our amazing tour guide!! He was a wealth of knowledge!! We have known the park was here for many years and just finally visited. I really wish we had made it sooner!! But now we know just how great it is and we will most certainly be back! If you haven't stopped by, you really need to!!!:):) read more

Great Cats World Park - Such a Beautiful animal! - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

Love this place guides are really nice and if you have nothing to do would definitely come to this place

My wife and I spent a few wonderful hours here a few years ago. I remembered the place when we drove by it a little while back. Would have stopped in again, but they were not open yet cause we were too early. We enjoyed seeing all the great cats, and there were many. We were allowed to get pretty close to their enclosures. The guides were very knowledgeable so the visit was quite educational. I bought a t-shirt at their gift shop, and I still wear it today. Quality stuff. Great Cats Of The World Park in Cave Junction, Oregon is worth visiting if you are in the area. read more

Great Cats World Park - Sign from the highway. - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

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Best place to see big and small exotic cats. Super well laid out. Cats are very well taken care of. The owners, breeders and handler's are professional and easy to talk to. Park has easy access for big RVs, trucks and cars. Only $15 per person it's a great value. Love this place. Came all the way from Hawaii to see these Big Beautiful Cats! Mahalo !! read more

This is a one-of-a-kind experience and well worth stopping by to see these amazing cats. The guides are very knowledgeable and respectful of the cats, and you are guided along the visit to hear about the unique attributes of each and every cat. You can get very close to observe the cats...like 6 feet away...and really look them in the eye or hear the guttural roar of a lion or the hissing of a caracal. Now, we've all been to those zoos where the big masses of people squint and try to see where the animal who is allegedly in the cage might be. And, they're usually sleeping in a dark area, keeping away from the annoying crowd. Well - Great Cats isn't anything like that. Their remote location and ability to personally guide each group enables them to really educate people, and show off these magnificent cats. You can tell that the people who take care of the cats are respectful and are advocates for the preservation of these cats. The guides were very patient and answered a number of questions about feline behavior and how the cats are well cared for. A definite recommend, in my book. Don't miss out. read more

LOVED this park! My boyfriend and I visited about a month ago and we are still recommending it to everyone! We were there for about an hour and a half to two hours and we adored it! First off, the selection of cats is amazing. We saw clones, tigers, a leopard, jaguars, etc. They have something along the lines of 42 cats. We didn't get to pet anything but honestly, we didn't feel like we were ripped off at all. It is not a petting zoo and they have sooooo many pretty kitties. We were so satisfied seeing the lion roar and the tiger kittens play. Cats were jumping and obviously very happy with their living conditions. There was water to play in, shade and room for them to run and play. They would jump for the tour groups and they were clearly well cared for. Next, a huge thank you to our tour guide Traveler. She was amazing! She knows all of the cats personally and she was more than willing to answer the never ending questions our group had. She was professional the whole time and did not skip a beat. The group was kept together and she didn't rush us even a little. She stayed with us while we spent our sweet time watching the jaguars play and was mellow the entire time. We were a little late to the tour but they let us join right in and Traveler took some of her personal time after to show us what we had missed! You will not be dissapointed with the owner or employees. The service was great! Some of the staff lives on site right next to the park so the cats have 24 hour care and Traveler was super honest and straight forward about where the cats food comes from, what they eat and how they processes everything there. The park isn't sketchy at all. It was $14 each for the two of us and honestly I would be willing to pay more to go again. It was more than worth our money and time. I have every intention of returning. (: read more

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We saw the sign as we drove by it and immediately pulled over and made a U-turn to get back to it. Going into the gift shop, I was greeted. I asked what the Park was about and she proceeded to explain about the cats, the purpose and the tour. It sounded interesting so we paid $28 for the two of us. We were told to join a tour that was already in progress and were assured that we would then be guided through any portion that we had missed. The enclosures are not particularly large nor are they claustrophobic. While large cats usually need a large territory to roam in the wild, the smaller enclosures are adequate here because the cats do not need to forage for their own food for survival. All of the cats appeared to be healthy and well treated. Many are or have been used in educational lectures and presentations according to our guides. They have been trained to be walked on leashes and growl and show their teeth on command. Horse meat treats help encourage the behaviors. The guides were able to answer all of our questions and give interesting tidbits of information about each cat they spoke about. In most cases, the guides were able to stand next to the fencing in front of the cats while guests were kept back about four feet. It was quite impressive to be so close to such beautiful animals where you could feel the vibrations when they roared or chuffed. The park itself is not particularly large but a visit is well worth it. read more

Very unhappy with our visit to this place. Cats only wanted to sleep considering it was 102 degrees and didn't see any signs of drinking water anywhere and any puddles from the customers misting hoses were covered in wasps. Very poorly maintained. Very poorly staffed. Rude lady telling us what to do and what not to do was not needed. Stop acting like you know everything and spray those poor panting kitties with some water. The only reason I would revisit this place is to deliver a petition to have it shut down. read more

This place is amazing. There is a large variety of wild cats, from lions and white tigers to the house cat-like African wildcat. I was concerned that they might be bored, stuck in their cages all day, so I asked the young woman at the register about this. It was obvious from her detailed and thoughtful answer that they make a big effort to make the cats' lives interesting and maintain a good quality of life. All of the animals look healthy, well-groomed, and well-fed. The two white tigers were especially cool, as they interacted with me--at less than a few feet away, they rubbed their snouts against the chain link fence, growling contentedly (or maybe hungrily?), sometimes leaping up on their hind legs. It's quite an experience to see a five-hundred pound tiger rear up at you so close! The young woman at the register is very passionate about the animals, and very articulate in speaking about them. She spoke with me for about twenty minutes, patiently answering all of my questions, even about my own cats who live with me in my motor home. I'm not a fan of zoos as a rule, but Great Cats World park is an exception. I will definitely go back before I leave the area. read more

Super impressed! The animals are amazing and you can see every single one! At all times we were within 5ft of huge tigers and lions! So glad we stopped in the Great Cat park! A+to the guides as well! read more

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What a Hidden gem. We literally drove by this place and turned around to check it out. All the cats were super healthy and seemed to enjoy the company. The handlers were very knowledgeable. This is the closest we've ever been to big cats. read more

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Cats were happy and healthy. This is a world-class cat conservation park. These guys are doing the work the world needs to save endangered species, and they also put on a great show that doesn't encroach too much on the cats' lives. Everyone had very deep knowledge of the cats and all of our guides obviously worked with them around the clock. We came between tours and they let us jump on one tour halfway through. Next tour started 10 minutes after the last one, and we got to see the cats we missed the first time! Would absolutely give these folks my money again to help them continue the great work they're doing. They also travel with the cats to educational visits around the country and work closely with zoos all over the world. My daughter is really into animals and loved this park. read more

This is an incredible treasure in a middle of nowhere town. Twenty or so exotic cats of various species, including two white tigers and a two Bengal tigers. The cats were very active while we were there, making it way more interesting than most zoos I've been to. read more

A good excursion to visit. My husband and I decided to stay in Cave Junction for our honeymoon. We happened upon the Great Cats of the World Park and decided to check it out. We were given a very informative tour and could see all of the animals clearly throughout the tour. It was pretty amazing being able to see all of the cats up close....I feel like most of my zoo experience of seeing animals from a distance that are partially hidden. This was a great way to see the great cats! read more

Saw this place while driving to a winery and decided to check it out on the way back. So happy we did! Got to see a variety of beautiful wild cats! They didn't have them do a whole lot because of the heat and smoke in the area from the fires, we didn't mind because we just wanted to see them. Plus, we knew they were doing that for the cats and I am all about making sure the cats are comfy. The cats were beautiful! The entire staff was wonderful and we really loved our tour guide. She was very friendly and knowledgeable...we learned a lot of knew things. Would highly recommend! read more

Great Cats World Park - This is their Fishing Cat! - Zoos Near Me - Cave Junction, Oregon

This is an amazing park dedicated to wild cats. What makes it super special is that they have great guided tours that share the history of these Cats. We had Amanda she was wonderful. My family enjoyed this much better than going to a zoo where you just walk past a cage. This is MUCH more educational and enjoyable!! A MUST SEE read more

Complete waste of money and time. The majority of the animals were not visible as they were inside their enclosures. The staff is very ill mannered and unprofessional. Based on the 3 or 4 animals I was able to observe, along with the 3 or so humans I encountered, I have arrived at the conclusion that the wrong species is locked up in cages. While the concept of a wild cat zoo in the middle of a forest is unique and appealing, the delivery fell flat in every way imaginable. I strongly advise everyone to stay away from this terrible place. read more

We enjoyed this cat Park very much. Take the time to wait for the tour! You won't regret it. The gift shop seems a little dated but maybe it goes with the territory and ambience. The animals appear to be in good condition and healthy and cared for. This place is a little off the beaten path but where do you expect to see 50 wild cats. My kids absolutely loved it and won't forget it!! read more

Made the mistake of stopping by this big cat enclosure on our way up north. Foolishly I had hoped it would be a reserve, only to be informed that it was a zoo and most of the animals were bred and loaned through the industry. Seeing these beautiful predators up close was a dream of mine, but their reality of pacing back and forth in small enclosures was honestly one of the most disturbing and emotionally draining experiences I've ever had. I hope you too can understand how cruel, selfish and unnatural zoos are. Please speak up and support wildlife sanctuaries instead whenever you can. read more