I know it was a great last-minute Saturday activity. It's very affordable compared to the zoo as children under three are free. Highly recommend that you bring a durable stroller that is not an umbrella stroller because 85% to 90% of the trail is paved, however to get to some exhibits, you have to go uphill on gravel and dirt. It's mostly shaded by tree canopies so Ricart if it rains, you'll have a great time. They have several areas for picnics and you can bring your own food highly recommend that you bring your own water as well. The staff and volunteers were very friendly and super helpful throughout the part. It's a big circle so there's really no way to get lost and my kid really loved the bunny petting area. 10 out of 10 definitely would come back. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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This place is awesome. I grew up visiting Yellow River Game Ranch and I see the name has been updated to Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary. I saw so many impressive improvements since the last time I visited, pre-pandemic. The sanctuary felt very peaceful and it felt like a beautiful walk through a nice park. read more

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First time visiting Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary today with my husband, and it was a pretty cool experience! Admission was $22 for adults and $6 for a cup to feed the animals. The sanctuary is set up as one big walking trail, and we got to see a lot of interesting animals along the way. The staff was friendly, and we also checked out the souvenir shop before we left. It was really hot when we went, so I'd recommend wearing closed-toe shoes, bringing a personal fan, bug spray, and maybe a hat to stay comfortable. Overall, it's a great spot for a family day, and I'd definitely come back to bring my nieces. read more

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This animal Sanctuary was such an amazing experience! for adult entrance it was 22.00 and you can purchase a cup on lettuce and carrots to feed the animals for an added 6.50. they had such a great selection of animals and even lots you can interact with. it was about a mile around walking path that was mostly shaded so you even get some exercise. we came in October and they had the park decorated for Halloween and i read they had a special trick or treating for kids which i thought to be a wonderful idea. the staff seemed so friendly and knowledgeable you can tell they love to be working with these animals. if you are ever in the area you need to check this place out read more

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Don't go to a zoo. Come HERE!! We're looking for things to do while on our staycation and I remembered that the wildlife sanctuary is around. This place is great for kids and field trips. It's creates memories and new found respect for animals. The staff was friendly and informative. The tickets are $22 each and $6.50 for the feeding cups to interact with certain animals. They discourage outside foods to feed them so you must purchase theirs. It's about a mile of seeing animals that got a second chance. They were docile and super fun to watch. They were very well taken care of and loved. They have upped their game from last time I remember them. Such a wonderful activity! read more

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My grandchildren loved it and were able to walk the entire path to enjoy all the animals. Nominal charge for lettuce and carrots to feed the animals was a hit. The grandkids are 3 and 7. read more

We were visiting the area and found this hidden gem. Our son-in-law found this place and stopped in for a few hours. Our 1 year granddaughter loved all the animals and the ones you can pet! Love how the park was laid out and it easy to get around. Definitely recommend you stop by the place! At some of the exhibits the staff would talk about the animals and actually knew each of their names. What neat was some of the animals would hear their voices and would come running towards the front to see them. Our granddaughter loved the interaction with the animals. Thank you Yellow River Wildlife for all you do!!!! read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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Fantastic little area!!!! Such a nice little trail to follow and a great variety of animals there to see and interact with! It was clear to see that the animals were well taken care of and had great enclosures and keepers. Nice little activity to do on a pretty day, highly recommend if you like animals :) read more

it,s great. lots of animals, the staff are very knowledgeable about the animals. like seeing the Hedgehog

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is a great spot to meet some animals. It's like a zoo, but with the added bonus of being able to feed and pet a few of the residents. They have a mix of carnivores and herbivores, but feeding is limited to the herbivores. (Though, wouldn't it be something to feed a steak to a lion? Of course, you might lose your arm with it.) Since I'm a typical clueless American, I got to see animals I didn't even know existed, like the wallaby. It's basically a mini, cute kangaroo. Another cool standout was the bison, though they were chilling a bit too far away to get a good look. The staff here were very friendly and accommodating, which made the visit even better. The overall vibe of the sanctuary is chill and relaxing. When we went, the atmosphere was quiet, and there weren't many people around. Then again, I might have gone during a less busy time. The place feels very rustic and peaceful, almost like walking in nature, with animals to greet you along the way. As of 2024-2025, admission is $20 for adults. Seniors and military personnel get a whole dollar off, bringing their price to $19. Kids aged 3-12 are $13, and children under 3 are free. Yearly memberships are available, but you'd need to visit at least three times a year to make it worthwhile. If you want to feed the animals, it's $6 for a feed cup--a plastic cup filled with a variety of vegetables like carrots can lettuce. Watching the animals come right up to you for a snack is a fun experience, especially for little kids. There's a lot to see and feed here. While you can't feed every animal, you can still admire them. The trail through the sanctuary is a mix of paved and unpaved paths and spans about 1.5 miles. Strollers might be tricky to navigate on some parts, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven ground. You can even mine gems here if you want something else to do besides walking and feeding animals. Parking is free, which is always a nice bonus. It's a fantastic spot for young kids. My 2.5-year-old especially loved the bunny area--it was a hit. If you're an animal lover, it's a great opportunity to get up close and personal with these creatures (and maybe make a few of them slightly fatter in the process). Overall, Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is a hidden gem for families with kids or anyone who loves animals. If your kids are bored, take them here. The interactive part of it makes it a neat experience. read more

My grandson and I had a great time. He enjoyed feeding the animals. I do believe the spider monkeys were our favorite.

amazing place to take kids and maybe a fun date spot! took my 17 month old and she had a blast. it's all outdoor and about 1/2 shaded so on a sunny day it would get hot. tickets at the counter or online with timed entry. you can buy feed cups (cup comes with the feed so it's about 6 bucks). you can feed: deer, farm animals (horses, donkey, sheep. goats and alpaca), also bison and rabbits! they have plenty other animals- coyotes, lemurs, owls, monkeys, bears etc. it's about a 1 mile loop but you will walk a little more than that. great workers- everyone is so nice and helpful. good trail to walk on or for stroller but some hills. hand washing stations are there and some benches too! free roaming turkey and peacocks. all the animals are gentle to feed when we went! my daughter had a great great time. free parking. if you go during the school year. I'm sure there's lots of field trips. We went during the summer and there were still large groups of kids coming either for camp or school . read more

As an adjacent resident of Stone Mountain, I can say this gem certainly escaped my notice. In all my years around the county, not once has this place come up in conversation or my radar screen. I almost glad I just discovered because it truly was a pleasant surprise! There are several fascinating animals to take in and learn about including bison and bears. This is an amazing place to the kids for an interactive and engaging family activity. It is also noteworthy to mention that the staff and helpers are certified animals lover, which works out good for the residents. In the final analysis, I say 10 out 10, would recommend. read more

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I came across Yellow River on Instagram and it didn't disappoint in being a fun family activity. We initially planned on visiting July 4th since they were open on the holiday, but the rain had other plans. The staff happily changed our ticket date and time to another day. We bought our tickets online and also purchased food to feed the animals once we were inside. For 2 adults, 1 infant and the animal food the price was $52. A big positive is the amount of shade there is on those hot summer days. Our son just turned 2 and this was a perfect place to take him to see animals up close. We were able to feed and pet several rabbits, goats, alpacas, a donkey and deer. It was a great time overall and would definitely come back. read more

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When I heard about Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary earlier this summer, I had to check it out! I purchased entrance ($20) and feeding cup ($6) tickets online. On arrival, it didn't take long to get our wristbands and veggie feeding cups before we were let onto the property. It took approximately 1.5 hours to walk through the whole sanctuary, and what an adventure this was! At the head of the trail, you'll be greeted by a friendly turkey. We had a lovely time feeding the lambs, goats, donkeys, and a cow. We also saw deer, a black bear, lemurs, turtles, vultures, kinkajous, raccoons, foxes, peacocks, spider monkeys, ducks, alpacas, sheep, bisons, and rabbits. In the middle of the sanctuary, there is also a small plot of beautiful bamboo trees. This is a great experience for people of all ages! read more

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I have very heard of this place prior to the school recommending for the field trip. This place has lots of parking. It cost $20 dollars for adults $19 for veterans/military and alittle cheaper for kids. I enjoyed myself and so did all of the kids. Very educational. Our guide was very good. He provided us with alot of fun facts and history about the place and the animals. We really learned about. It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go through everything. I definitely recommend checking out! read more

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I love going to the zoo but this is even better! Family and I booked for 11-12pm, left about 1:30 on a Friday and it wasn't super packed at all. All the animals were super friendly and cute! 2 cups of feeding was just enough for us. I would definitely visit again!! read more

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Been coming here since a child and love to see how much it's grown and changed for the better! Worth the price no doubt. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Sheep friends - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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I don't know how I've never reviewed this place after coming here at least 20 times. Yellow River is amazing. The animals are cared for, the enclosures are kept clean, and most of the staff is wonderful. read more

Came here on a weekday with my toddler, mom, and brother. When we arrived, a field trip was also arriving. We were helped quickly and were on our way. We were able to see and feed a lot of animals. My toddler had such a blast, especially when getting to pet and feed the bunnies. Stopped at the gift store on the way out and got a stuffed animal. Great time! read more

First time come to this place, It's very beautiful 。(´｀ )。Don't forget to buy the feeding cup, My friends(＞人＜;)。I really have fun to feed animals Especially I like to petting rabbits and interacting with sheep.Thanks the friendly staffs, I can comb sheep's back and have fun with them。 w(ﾟﾟ)w You can feed lots of meek animals like deer, donkey, goat and bison etc because they love to eat lettuces and carrots 。You also can see some unique animals like American bears and wolves 。w(ﾟﾟ)w 。Anyway is a great place to hang out with your family and friends 。I will definitely visite next time! read more

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So fun!! Fed the animals & had lots to do. Great for toddlers & my 5 year old loved all the interaction in nature. read more

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Had a wonderful time here! Took us 1.5 hours to walk through the whole sanctuary. The veggie cups are $6 (kinda pricey) but only worth going if you buy this!!! Experience is otherwise incomplete. The trees provide so much shade. The property truly was pleasant to walk through. Some of the animals we saw: Turkey, peacock, goat, alpaca, bull, bunnies, coyotes, black bear, monkeys, raccoons, geese, owls, hawk, lemurs, wild cats, deers, etc. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Peacock - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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I had no idea this place existed! I was happy I got the privilege of going several weeks back with my co-workers and clients. I wish I could upload more photos and videos, but most of my clients' privacy rights would be violated, so that's a no-go! I've been to the Atlanta Zoo downtown twice now, which is great also, but if you want a more close-up, less crowded, more interactive experience, then I definitely recommend this little zoo/sanctuary. There are a lot more different kinds of animals here than I expected. When you first walk in to settle your admission, there's the gift shop. We didn't go in, but it looked like every zoo gift shop with lots of cute souvenirs, trinkets, stuffed animals, etc. When you get past that and round the corner, you come upon the deer. I've seen deer from a distance and deer crossing the street before, but this is probably one of the only times I've ever seen deer so close up and was able to feed/pet them. How cool! The crew gives you carrots and lettuce to feed the animals with. I didn't handle any of the fees, but if you look at some of the other reviews they shared recent pricing info. I was so thrilled and so were my clients. The deer were so sweet and tame, just a joy to be around. We had the privilege of being given the grand tour by none other than Hank, the turkey tour guide! I can't say I have ever had a turkey as a park tour guide, but it was the coolest, sweetest thing ever. I don't think he was trained to do this, but Hank walked the ENTIRE grounds with us, leading the way, stopping to pose for photos, and waiting for us to feed other animals. It was unreal and so awesome! I hope if you go, Hank will be there to lead the way for you too. Anyway, after the deer, I forget what comes directly next, but there are tons of great animals to be seen and enjoyed. There is a petting/feeding section of barn animals including goats, some really cute sheep, donkeys, alpacas, etc. Lovely peacocks can be found wandering throughout the park, as well as other birds. Everything is well-marked in regard to which animals can be fed and not fed due to dietary restrictions, so that's helpful! There's ample hand sanitizer and washing stations between animals too to prevent germ spread. I was really impressed with the variety of animals at the sanctuary. We were even able to feed bison, which is definitely another first for me! There are cool things like Mara and Wallaby which I have never seen before in real life. If you love cute/cuddly looking animals like me, they even have lemur, foxes, coyotes, and my favorite...Raccoons! I was so bummed the bears and raccoons didn't come out though. I think it was too cold for them at the time and they were hibernating basically. My co-worker saw a raccoon briefly, but I think it got scared by our big, noisy group and ran back into it's house before I could catch a glimpse. You best believe I'll be back to see them! I think one of my favorite creatures to see on the tour was the lynx. I've never seen one so close up before. It was beautiful. It's hilarious to see the similarities between cats of all sizes. The lynx had it out for Hank. I wish I caught the whole thing on video but the lynx pulled one of those stealth moves where it starts commando crawling (all cat owners know lol). Then, it tried making a mad dash for Hank and basically parkoured around it's enclosure at top speed lol. Hank was unphased, but it was the best thing ever to watch lol. The lynx is a must-see, along with the monkeys who were fighting and playing with each other. I could go on and on about the park, but just come see it for yourself. I don't think you'll be disappointed. We certainly enjoyed our time! We were blessed to be able to come on Wednesday when they are typically closed. I'm guessing my supervisors booked a special event, which was smart, as we had the whole park to ourselves. If you have elderly, a group with special needs, or just want the place to yourself for an event, try calling ahead. I highly recommend doing it this way. Looking forward to returning soon with my family. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - The three (not so little) pigs! One out of view lol. Cute theme. - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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I visited as a child, so this place had lots of memories for me. We went as a group yesterday, and the new owners have done an amazing job. It was super easy to order the tickets online, and the staff/volunteers were friendly and knowledgeable. You could see their passion and love for the animals. The picnic areas were clean and handwashing stations were well placed throughout the loop. Although I didn't try the food truck, it was nice to have a food option without leaving the park. The store had some fun finds, and a huge selection of Bungalow 360, which is a favorite of mine! I enjoyed the opportunity to feed and pet the animals, and although it was HOT, the trees provided plenty of shade for us to stay cool. I would definitely recommend visiting, and I plan to visit again. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Feeding the rabbits - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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This place was absolutely a great time. For my wife's birthday we stopped here! Both she and my daughter had a blast here seeing all the animals , wolves coyotes, bison, lemurs , otters, cows, goats, donkeys, horses and so much more! They take care of these beautiful animals! Nice shop as well! Great staff! Definitely will come back again! Much better than your local zoo read more

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We have been going here for years, once a year, before it was taken over by the current owners. Since they have taken it over, it has gotten much better, the animals see healthier and the grounds seem better taken care of. the bank end can still use more but overall its wonderfull. its about a mile walk, a little up hill, but almost all covered by trees. my 2 kids, 12/7, really enjoyed feeding the animals. We did the gem mining for the first time today, was $10 for a sack of gems/sand, which seems inline with other places and the girls got excited with what they received. Recommend buying the food, we had 1 each and it lasted us through the whole place. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

I took the girls here during the summer. It was when blueberry (the cute bear they rescued) was being housed here. We did get to see blueberry. I also bought a cup of lettuce so the girls could feed the animals. They were too scared. This sanctuary is actually really cool and unique. I thought it was better than zoo atl (I think we went while it was under construction). The animals were lively and awake! We liked the bison area. Bring mosquito repellent if you're sweet blooded. Trust me. There is plenty of shade and foliage in the sanctuary so you're exposed to the bugs. Great for families. When I visited parking was free read more

This place is a gem! I've lived in Gwinnett on and off since the late 90s and only recently visited this sanctuary for the first time! I'm not what one might consider as an animal lover, but It would have been a huge mistake to never see it. I had the pleasure of bringing my toddler and she had a ball! Typically, she is afraid of getting too close to the animals and touching them but somehow at the sanctuary, she finds the courage to pet and feed the wildlife. It was such a joy watching her giggle and get excited about the animals- goats, pigs, deer, monkeys, turkey... It's a massive amount of land but is not too exhausting to get through and experience. I know they've had challenges in the past remaining open, I hope those are all problems of the past and future generations can enjoy it for many years to come. read more

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We chose this outing for 2 grandchildren 4 and 9. We did the morning. It was cooler then. The park has plenty of shade. There is a wide selection of animals. Many of them you can pet. The Morning we were there were volunteers who took an interest in the boys. They interacted with them and made it very interesting for all of us. We did buy a cup of food for the animals. That seemed to be plenty. The animals are well cared for and were not to hungry. The park is very clean. There is pavement and sand covered walk ways. We spent about $80 for the 4 of us. There is a gift shop, but we avoided it with the boys or it would have cost a lot more. lol! We spent 2 and 1/2 hours there.The employees at the park were incredibly nice. There were also a couple of daycare buses there. They seemed to have a good time. There are pick nick tables. Not quite enough toilets. Look at the map to scout them out before you go into the park. read more

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Was a fun off the beaten path adventure. Tickets are $18 per adult which we felt was worth it however the $7 to feed the animals we felt was a tad steep. We got 4 carrots and some lettuce and a reusable plastic cup to keep. We got to feed and pet deer, cows, goats etc as well as seeing monkeys, lemurs and more. All the animal habitats are very big and have ton of enrichment activities. We were there for 1 hour. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - I've never pet a Turkey before! - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

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We've been longtime visitors of Yellow River. I'm so happy to see that they are under new ownership and that they are taking that time the bring new life back into this place. It really truly is a gem and great for all ages. I'm excited for the new animals that they have coming and the new spaces that they are making for the existing ones. We had a great time. If you've never been- it's a mile long walk, filled with various animals. Most you can feed (lettuce and carrots) and most you can't. It's a pretty decent variety of various animals. There's a little food truck and gift shop and playground as well. And of course Yellow River runs along side the entire trail. It's a beautiful pass time. Come early because it gets hot quickly in the summer and the smell can get pretty gnarly but we are in their space after all ;) read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Henry the turkey - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

I really enjoyed my visit! The staff was very friendly and informative as well. The grounds are also well kept with ample parking

It appeared to be a zoo, but with smaller enclosures. The first thing we saw when driving up was a large sign that said "Game Ranch" - which is a a place where game animals are raised to stock wildlife areas for hunting - and a really bad look for a "wildlife sanctuary". Many of the enclosures were tiny, and this "sanctuary" did not seem focused on the well-being, and happiness of the animals. Many of the animals seemed depressed. To see a lynx in such a tiny cage was totally heartbreaking, and the same with many of the animals in small enclosures like the lemurs, coyotes, otters, and alpacas. Perhaps if they had signs that told the stories of the animals and how they were rescued, if they were, I would have thought differently, but they seemed more like prisoners. Compared to an animal sanctuary such as Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary just south of Atlanta, this was a sad visit. read more

This place has blossomed! We started coming here since our baby was born 2021 and at that time it was under new management and looks like the new management really did a lot of work and it has paid off! Everything is looking nice and the animals look very happy Everthing is blossoming and growing! I'm happy for you guys ! You guys came along way and it's paying off! We will be back soon !! read more

This place was very cute and it looks like the animals are really well taken care of. I loved that most of the area is covered by trees and it doesn't feel too hot because of the added shade. Great for families and people who love animals. read more

Had a great time with our toddler!! Lots of fun activities, great care for the animals and a beautiful space. read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Walking around several acres of space. - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

We had soooo much fun, definitely coming back ! All the workers that was at their stations was nice /friendly. My one year old definitely enjoyed the goats and rabbits! The gift shop pricing is very reasonable ( plus+++) read more

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary - Zoos Near Me - Lilburn, Georgia

Beautiful property! Animals are well taken care of and clean! The sanctuary is conducive to the animal in it. We enjoyed feeding the animals! The property is easily accessible for those with mobility issues. You will love it! read more

Found this place online weeks ago while searching for some place new to take the children. I decided to take them when school was cancelled due to the Braves winning the World Series. It was a fun time! Being able to walk along the trail at our own leisure and feed the animals lettuce and carrots was so delightful. My children were smiling the entire time (so was I). The enclosures were clean and I loved that each enclosure had a home with heat lamps for the animals so they could escape the chilly weather when they're ready (5 stars for this). Our favorite was the donkey, he was such a character. Cute gift shop with many trinkets. Definitely wasn't what I expected, but we enjoyed the entire adventure. We'll be back read more

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