RVers Guide for Finding the Best Animal Experiences on the Road

As an animal lover I am always searching for places to learn about and see animals as we travel around the country. Thankfully, many organizations and people are devoted to protecting our abundant variety of wildlife and preserving their habitats. Others are dedicated to educating people about animals and promoting conservation so that everyone can enjoy them.

Our RV adventures have taken us to many fun destinations, but we are always on the lookout for interesting animal encounters. Whether it is enjoying wildlife viewing in a national park or dining with giraffes at an animal sanctuary, we cherish each opportunity to see and learn more about the amazing animals around us. Here are a few tips for finding great animal experiences near you.

Guest Post by Robin Buck

National Parks

Our country currently has 63 national parks which are marvelous places to observe indigenous wildlife in their natural environment. There is nothing more thrilling than spotting a bison herd on the move in Yellowstone NP or viewing the large antlers of a bull moose in Rocky Mountain NP. In addition to seeing animals on a hike or drive, many parks offer guided tours to help you get the best animal experiences. We really enjoyed our tour of Everglades NP where we saw alligators up-close and learned about the park's many unique birds.

Zoos

Many of us grew up going to zoos and seeing various animals behind bars in their cages, but if you haven't been to one recently you might be pleasantly surprised. Zoos today do an excellent job of recreating natural habitats where animals can roam freely. Some zoos also offer unique enrichment programs for visitors like behind-the-scenes tours and feeding sessions. My sister was thrilled with her Up-Close Look at the Denver Zoo recently where she got to tour the zoo animal hospital and learn about the care given there.

Animal Sanctuaries

An animal sanctuary is a place that takes in animals who need a home. Sometimes the animals are rehabilitated and rehomed, and other times they become permanent residents. Many of the sanctuaries are non-profit organizations who welcome volunteer helpers and visitors. We really enjoy visits to sanctuaries as they are often places where you can see and interact with the animals in addition to learning about their history and care. Our hometown of San Angelo, Texas, is the headquarters for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue which has saved more than 8,000 donkeys and burros across the country.

Farms

If you are interested in domesticated animal experiences, a working farm is a great place to visit. Not only can you revel in the peaceful country setting, but you can see a variety of animals like chickens, goats, cows, donkeys, horses, pigs, and sheep. Some farms even have ostriches, llamas, bison, and other more unique species. Often visitors are invited to experience a hay ride, watch a milking demonstration, and even help with farm chores like feeding animals and gathering eggs.

Some of Our Favorites

I love seeing animals, but am especially happy when I get the chance to interact with them. Here are a few of my favorite animal experiences that we found over the last few years:

Lion Habitat Ranch in Henderson, Nevada, is a non-profit retirement home for MGM lions and other animals. They offer behind the scenes tours, feeding sessions, and demonstrations, including a giraffe who paints.

The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Bellvue, Colorado, strives to educate the public about wolves, coyotes, and foxes. They have tours of the facility, meet-and-greet sessions with the wolves, and a VIP encounter and photography package.

Warm Springs Ranch in Boonville, Missouri, is the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdale horses. You can tour their state-of-the-art facilities, learn about the upbringing of their famous horses, and even meet and interact with the horses and yearlings out in the pastures.

The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana, is one of the largest free-roaming wildlife preserves of its kind in the country. They offer tours where you can touch and feed many of their 3,500 animals such as giraffes, zebras, bison, kangaroos, llamas, and many more.

Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida, is just one place where you can swim with dolphins. We did the Trainer for a Day experience where we spent extra time with the dolphins after the swimming session and learned about their care, feeding, and training. They also offer swimming with sharks, swimming in the Grand Reef with thousands of different fish, and encounters with flamingos, otters ,a sloth, and tropical birds.

The Hummer House in Christoval, Texas, is a wildlife habitat and summer home to Texas' largest concentration of breeding Black-chinned hummingbirds. In the spring you can watch banding sessions, hold a hummingbird or many other colorful species of birds, and learn about them in the observation room from master banders Nancy and Charles Floyd.

Our most recent find is Blue Hills Ranch in McGregor, Texas, where we dined with giraffes and met 29 other species of animals like zebras, bison, mustang horses, donkey, kangaroos, and camels. They have cabins you can stay in and offer feeding experiences with the giraffes as well as a chance to swim with Asian small-clawed otters.

Have a Fun Animal Experience

If you love seeing and learning about animals, these are just a few ways to get an up-close and personal experience. The cost varies from just entrance fees for the national parks and sanctuaries to more pricey tour fees for personal encounters. The expenses go to a good cause, though, because these organizations are devoted to education, protection, and conservation of animal species and make it possible for us to have unique and unforgettable animal experiences. Give an animal tour a try and you will create memories to last a lifetime!

Robin and her husband, Mike, are Air Force veterans and empty nesters who travel full-time in their Entegra Anthem motorhome. Always ready to explore, they love nature and wildlife, meeting new friends, and discovering America's many hidden gems. Robin chronicles their adventures and experiences on her travel blog RVing with Robin.