Catoctin Wildlife Preserve | Thurmont, MD

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Featured Animals

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hours & admission

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group visits

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Get Close...in Unexpected Ways!

From bears and boas, macaws to monkeys, panthers to pythons, and alligators to zebra, amazing experiences and hundreds of exciting new exotic animal friends await you in this 50-acre park!

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve features more interactive touch and feed opportunities than any other animal park in the region. Feel the silky soft fur of the chinchilla or the bumpy shell of a tortoise at daily educational talks. Or get nose to nose with camels, bison, ostrich, zebra and more on the optional Safari Ride.

You will be welcomed by natural ponds, lush landscaping, and wandering Ambass-zoo-dors, eager to indulge inquisitive guests.

These amazing animals are our extended family and vital ambassadors for their species. Through our personal style of exhibitory and education, we know that they will be your extended family too.

Together we can make sure all the wild animals enjoy the future they deserve.

Upcoming Events

28
Apr
Alligator Move Out Day
April 28,2019
1 - 2pm
12
May
Mother’s Day
May 12,2019
9am - 5pm
25
May
Memorial Weekend Celebration
May 25,2019
9am - 6pm

Experience Catoctin Wildlife

Animals

Safari rides

Active Zones

Daily Fun

Support

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is supported by the Global Wildlife Trust whose mission is dedicated to broadening human understanding of the animal world. This is achieved through immersion in naturalistic habitat recreations and educational programs using live animals and instructional tools both on-site at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and through presentations in the greater community. We strive to provide the highest level of competent care for its resident wildlife ambassadors and to support the conservation of their wild counterparts in unspoiled habitats. We are committed to this mission because we believe promoting harmonious coexistence of all species is our duty as stewards of the Earth.

“My wife and I have been to zoo's all over the country and they have animals here big city zoo's do not have!”

- Matthew B

“I hadn't been to this zoo since I was a child and boy had it changed! It is so much bigger, more animals and a safari ride!! (We had) awesome tour guides on our safari ride. Very knowledgeable about the animals. We will definitely return!”

- Cathy D

“I wasn't expecting this zoo to be as big as it was and to have as large and diverse a collection of animals as they had. If you're looking for something fun and educational to do in the Catoctin area, this is an excellent option.”

- Mason S

Upcoming Events

May 12, 2019

Mother’s Day

Bring your Mom to see our moms. Why not pack a picnic and stroll the grounds, meeting spring babies and growing “tweens”?   Regular admission applies, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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May 25, 2019

Memorial Weekend Celebration

Kick off the unofficial start of summer with a day of adventuring. Don’t worry about a “beach body.” Our Sun Bears certainly don’t.  🙂 Enjoy a full schedule of Interactive Zone experiences, Safari Rides, Camel Rides, Keeper Talks and More. …
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April 28, 2019

Alligator Move Out Day

Our alligators are now ready to move into their summer homes after spending the cold winter in their indoor habitats! Watch our staff carefully release each reptile into their regular exhibit and learn more about these prehistoric creatures. The excitement …
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