





Zoos
Circle M Safari Park
📍 117 Doris Dr, Shelby, NC 28152🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | Closed |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
About Circle M Safari Park
Circle M Safari Park is a zoo in Shelby, NC. Circle M Safari Park offers advance-bookable capybara encounters, a unique interactive experience that receives significant visitor mention (13 reviews) and requires planning. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 249 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Safari Park & Petting Zoo
- Best For
- All ages
- Main Attractions
- Safari wagon rides, walk-thru exhibits, petting zoo with animal feeding
- Hours
- Friday-Sunday 10am-5pm (2026 season starts March 7)
- Location
- Shelby, North Carolina
💡 Did You Know?
- Circle M Safari Park offers advance-bookable capybara encounters, a unique interactive experience that receives significant visitor mention (13 reviews) and requires planning
- The park features critically endangered species being repopulated in captivity, demonstrating active participation in species conservation and breeding programs
- Circle M Safari Park operates a multi-experience model combining safari wagon rides through large pastures, walk-thru exhibits, and hands-on feeding opportunities across 32+ visitor mentions of animal feeding interactions
- The park offers specialized programming including summer camps, field trips, animal rentals, and nativity events, demonstrating diverse educational and entertainment applications
💬 What Visitors Say
- Book capybara encounters in advance as they are a popular attraction and spots fill up quickly based on visitor demand
- Plan to spend 2-3 hours to experience all attractions including the wagon ride through larger animals, the barn feeding area with llamas/camels/goats, and interactive animal encounters
- Visit on a weekday if possible since the park operates Friday-Sunday and selected weekdays with 10am-5pm hours, allowing you to avoid weekend crowds
- Don't miss the barn feeding area where you can interact with multiple animals (llamas, camels, goats, small cows) - this is consistently highlighted as a favorite activity for both kids and adults
- Ask staff about the endangered species being repopulated in captivity at the park - this educational component adds meaningful context to your visit and animal interactions
More Family Fun Nearby
Other venues within driving distance:

KidSenses Children's Interactive Museum
Children's MuseumsRutherfordton, NC
21 miles away

The Schiele Museum of Natural History & Planetarium
Children's MuseumsGastonia, NC
25 miles away
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