Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary

Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary is an outdoor animal visit in Lilburn, about a one-mile loop through wooded grounds. The sanctuary says a typical visit takes 1 to 1. 5 hours.

Families see native and exotic residents such as bison, bears, wolves, lemurs, wallabies, deer, rabbits, tortoises, alpacas, and farm animals. Children may touch animals only in the Petting Zoo area. Approved feed cups let visitors feed a specific list of animals, while the optional gem-mining flume adds a hands-on activity.

This visit suits animal-loving children from preschool through elementary school especially well. Babies and toddlers can come in a stroller, and children age 2 and younger enter free, but adults must supervise closely. Anyone under 17 must be with an adult.

The official accessibility note says 85 percent of the trail is paved and the final portion is packed gravel, so larger stroller wheels may help. Expect a true outdoor outing, not an indoor zoo. Heat, rain, and wet ground can change comfort, and the sanctuary permits ticket cancellation before the reservation time for a full refund.

Current general admission is $22 for adults ages 13 to 64 and $15 for children ages 3 to 12. A family with two adults and two children in that range is $74 before optional extras. Parking is free.

Feed cups cost $6. 50 and gem-mining bags cost $10. 50, so set an extras budget before arrival.

Walk-ups are welcome, and online reservations are optional during regular hours. The current August schedule is closed Tuesday, open 10 a. m.

to 5 p. m. on other weekdays, and 10 a.

m. to 6 p. m.

on weekends, with earlier last-admission times. Check the live calendar because hours are presented by month.

Arrival needs a little attention. The sanctuary's contact page suggests using the parallel slip road from Ross Road rather than making a difficult highway approach. Show online tickets at the porch window.

Do not bring food for the animals, and use only sanctuary feed. Eating is limited to designated areas, but the official visitor page does not identify a full-service café or children's menu. Nursing and changing facilities are not published, so call ahead if those details matter.