Arbuckle Wilderness in south-central Oklahoma offers a drive-through safari experience where you can feed exotic and domestic animals from your own vehicle. This roadside attraction sits just off Interstate 35 between Oklahoma City and Dallas, making it a popular break for families traveling through the region.
This guide explains what to expect at Arbuckle Wilderness, how the experience works, what animals you’ll encounter, and how to plan your visit whether you’re passing through or staying in the area.
What Is Arbuckle Wilderness and Why Visit?
Arbuckle Wilderness is a drive-through wildlife park where visitors feed and observe over 400 animals representing more than 50 species from around the world. The park allows you to remain in your vehicle while animals approach your windows for food, creating close encounters with zebras, bison, camels, ostriches, and many other species across a 200-acre preserve.
How the Drive-Through Safari Works
You drive your own vehicle along a designated route through the park at a slow pace, usually taking 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much time you spend with the animals. Staff provide buckets of animal feed at the entrance, which you can purchase to offer through your windows.
Animals roam freely within their designated areas and approach vehicles looking for food. Some species are more assertive than others, and certain animals like emus and ostriches may stick their heads directly into open windows.
The park allows cars, trucks, SUVs, and RVs to drive through, though larger vehicles may find some areas tight. Convertibles and motorcycles are not permitted for safety reasons.
What Animals You’ll See
The animal collection includes species from multiple continents, mixing exotic wildlife with familiar farm animals. You’ll encounter both herbivores that accept feed and predators or protected species that remain at a distance.
Common Animals That Approach Vehicles
- Zebras and various antelope species
- American bison and water buffalo
- Camels and llamas
- Emus and ostriches
- Highland cattle and yaks
- Elk and various deer species
- Goats and sheep breeds
The park also maintains animals you’ll observe from a distance, including kangaroos, primates, and big cats in secure enclosures. Some species may not be visible during every visit depending on weather, time of day, and animal behavior.
The Walk-Through Area
After completing the drive-through section, you can park and explore a walk-through area with additional exhibits and activities. This section includes smaller animal enclosures, a petting zoo, and interaction opportunities that don’t work in the drive-through format.
The walk-through area typically features lemurs, reptiles, birds, and various small mammals. A playground and picnic areas are available, making this section useful if you’re traveling with children who need to stretch their legs.
Best Times to Visit
Arbuckle Wilderness operates seasonally, typically from March through November, though exact dates vary by year. The park is closed during winter months, so verify operating dates before planning a visit during shoulder seasons.
Animals are generally more active and eager to approach vehicles during cooler parts of the day. Early morning or late afternoon visits, especially on weekdays, mean fewer crowds and a more relaxed pace through the park.
Summer weekends draw the largest crowds, which can create lines at the entrance and congestion along the route. Heat can also make some animals less active during midday hours.
Planning Your Visit
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours total at Arbuckle Wilderness, including both the drive-through safari and walk-through area. This makes it suitable as a stop during a longer journey or as a half-day activity if you’re staying nearby.
What to Bring
- Cash or cards for admission and feed purchases
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizer for cleaning up after feeding animals
- Sunglasses and sun protection, as you’ll have windows down
- Camera or phone with charged battery
- Drinking water, especially during warm weather
The park sells animal feed at the entrance, and you’ll want at least one bucket if you plan to interact with the animals. Having multiple buckets allows everyone in your vehicle to participate.
Important Safety and Behavior Guidelines
While the experience is designed to be safe, you’re interacting with large, unpredictable animals that can behave unexpectedly. The park provides rules at entry that all visitors must follow.
Do not exit your vehicle in the drive-through areas under any circumstances. Animals that appear calm can react quickly, and some species can cause injury even without aggressive intent.
Keep hands flat when offering feed to prevent accidental bites. Larger animals like bison and camels can be forceful when taking food, so don’t lean too far out of windows.
Children should be supervised closely, and drivers need to watch for animals in the roadway at all times. Animals have the right of way, and you may need to stop and wait for them to move.
Getting to Arbuckle Wilderness
The park is located near Davis, Oklahoma, approximately 75 miles south of Oklahoma City and 120 miles north of Dallas. It sits directly off Interstate 35 at Exit 51, making access straightforward for travelers on this major route.
From Oklahoma City, the drive takes roughly 1.5 hours heading south on I-35. From Dallas, expect about 2 hours heading north on the same interstate.
No public transportation serves the park, so you’ll need your own vehicle to visit. The exit is well-marked with directional signs visible from the interstate.
Nearby Attractions and Accommodations
Arbuckle Wilderness sits in the Arbuckle Mountains region, which offers several natural attractions worth combining with your visit. Turner Falls Park, Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall, is approximately 10 miles north and features swimming areas, hiking trails, and rock formations.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur, about 20 miles northeast, provides additional hiking, swimming, and nature observation opportunities managed by the National Park Service. Lake of the Arbuckles offers fishing, boating, and water sports.
Davis and Sulphur have motels, campgrounds, and cabin rentals if you’re planning an overnight stay. Larger cities like Ardmore, 30 miles south, provide more extensive lodging and dining options.
What This Experience Suits Best
Arbuckle Wilderness works particularly well for families with children who enjoy animals and interactive experiences. The drive-through format means even very young children or those with limited mobility can participate fully.
Road-trippers on Interstate 35 find the park convenient as a leg-stretching break that offers more engagement than a typical rest stop. The experience doesn’t require advance planning or significant time investment.
Animal enthusiasts should understand this is a commercial attraction focused on accessibility and interaction rather than conservation education or naturalistic habitats. The experience emphasizes feeding and close encounters over learning about animal behavior or ecology.
What to Know Before You Go
Admission prices, operating hours, and seasonal schedules change periodically, so check the official Arbuckle Wilderness website or call ahead to confirm current information before traveling. The park occasionally closes for weather or special events.
Vehicle damage from animals, while rare, can occur. Feed is designed to attract animals to your vehicle, and larger species may lean against doors or bump mirrors.
The park is privately owned and operates as a commercial attraction. Expect a tourist-oriented experience rather than a wildlife sanctuary or educational facility.
Alternatives and Comparisons
If you’re considering multiple wildlife parks in the region, the Oklahoma City Zoo offers more species diversity and educational programming but lacks the interactive feeding component. Exotic Animal Paradise near Weatherford provides a similar drive-through experience on a smaller scale.
Safari-style parks exist throughout the United States, with notable examples in Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Arbuckle Wilderness distinguishes itself primarily through its location on a major interstate corridor rather than unique animal collection or facilities.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Arrive with realistic expectations about the commercial nature of the experience and the condition of the facilities, which are functional but not elaborate. The value lies in the animal interactions and convenience rather than amenities or interpretive programs.
Bring enough feed buckets for multiple people in your vehicle to participate simultaneously. Running out of feed early can disappoint children and limits your interaction opportunities.
Take your time through the drive-through section rather than rushing to complete the route. The animals move at their own pace, and patient visitors often get better encounters.
Arbuckle Wilderness provides a straightforward wildlife interaction experience that fits naturally into Interstate 35 travel plans. The drive-through format offers accessibility and close animal encounters that appeal particularly to families, while the location makes it easy to visit without significant detours or planning. Verify current operating information before your trip, bring appropriate supplies for feeding and cleaning up, and approach the experience as an entertaining roadside attraction rather than an in-depth wildlife education program.
We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to this unique Oklahoma attraction and make the most of your time with the animals.