Animal Ark

Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary sits 20 miles north of Reno in the high desert, and the drive out to Deerlodge Road is worth every minute. This non-profit wildlife sanctuary is home to cheetahs, tigers, leopards, wolves, bears, and other predatory animals rescued from situations where they could not survive in the wild — and it offers a genuinely close-encounter wildlife experience that most zoos cannot match.

The sanctuary model means the grounds are smaller than a major zoo, but the trade-off is intimacy. You're seeing animals in enclosures with clear sightlines rather than across wide zoo exhibit spaces. When a cheetah approaches the fence of its enclosure, you're close enough to see its spots individually.

Kids who experience this consistently describe it as one of their most memorable wildlife moments.

With a 4.7-star rating across 1,102 reviews, Animal Ark maintains a high satisfaction rate for a non-profit sanctuary — this reflects genuine care in both animal welfare and visitor experience. The staff are typically knowledgeable about each animal's history and will share stories about how specific animals came to the sanctuary, which adds educational depth.

Practical notes: Animal Ark has limited daily capacity — book tickets online in advance, especially for weekend visits. Sold-out days do occur. The location is 20+ miles north of downtown Reno, so plan 30-40 minutes of driving each way. Bring your own food and water — there are no vendors on site. Morning visits in cooler weather get the most animal activity.

Combine with Raptor Adventures (at the same location) if available — birds of prey presentations are separately bookable and add a compelling second experience.