Meet hundreds of animals on an hour-long guided ride with petting zoo access
1 hr
Guided tour, Petting zoo access
Hop aboard a guided tractor-trailer ride to meet animals from around the world. Tours offer an interactive experience and include petting zoo access.
Open 9am–5pm daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; tours run continuously with waits up to 30–45 minutes during busy times. Operates rain or shine; tours pause for lightning and a drive-through option may be offered. Wheelchair accessible via ramp.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your scheduled booking. Cancellations within 24 hours are nonrefundable.
Approximately one hour.
No, tours do not leave at set times.
Waits can be 30–45 minutes; weekends and holidays are busiest.
235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, TX 78636, United States
At Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, the animals come to you. Drive slowly through the sprawling Texas Hill Country landscape and find giraffes leaning toward your window, zebras grazing alongside the road, and ostriches peering curiously into your car. The ranch sits just outside San Antonio, making it an easy escape into something genuinely wild. Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch puts you inside the habitat rather than outside looking in.
The Exotic Resort Zoo delivers a reliably enjoyable experience that keeps families coming back. Visitors consistently praise the knowledgeable and friendly staff, with guides like Amanda earning special recognition for their enthusiasm and expertise. The facility offers flexibility with both self-guided drive-through options and guided tours, giving you control over your pace while ensuring plenty of animal interaction and feeding opportunities. The animals appear well-cared for, and the petting zoo is a particular highlight for kids and adults alike. One visitor humorously noted the abundance of deer among the 700+ animals, suggesting the variety might lean heavily in one direction, though this didn't dampen their overall enjoyment. Most guests find the experience worth the cost, especially considering the generous portions of animal feed included and the educational value provided by attentive guides. It's clearly a place that earns repeat visits, with multiple reviewers mentioning they've returned or plan to come back with out-of-town guests.
What an amazing experience! Truly one of the most fun and memorable places we’ve visited. It’s a wonderful destination for every generation — toddlers, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors alike. My mom is 86 years old, and she absolutely loved it and had an incredible time. The atmosphere, the experience, and the joy it brought to our family made this place instantly become one of our favorites. Highly recommended for families and groups of all ages! Pd. One bucket of food per person. You will regret not buying more food for animals. It wort it.
Adriana Restrepo
May 22, 2026
What an amazing experience! Truly one of the most fun and memorable places we’ve visited. It’s a wonderful destination for every generation — toddlers, children, teenagers, adults, and seniors alike. My mom is 86 years old, and she absolutely loved it and had an incredible time. The atmosphere, the experience, and the joy it brought to our family made this place instantly become one of our favorites. Highly recommended for families and groups of all ages! Pd. One bucket of food per person. You will regret not buying more food for animals. It wort it.
Adriana Restrepo
May 22, 2026