Zoos
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
📍 1200 Co Rd 4405, Jacksonville, TX 75766🕐 Hours
| Monday | 10 AM–4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 1–4 PM |
About Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
Drive-thru animal sightseeing. 300-acre reserve with dozens of endangered & exotic species seen on self-guided drives. The safari has grown dramatically over time - what took 30 minutes to drive through 19 years ago now takes 2-2.5 hours, indicating significant expansion and addition of animals to the 300-acre reserve. Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars by 1,483 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Zoo
- Location
- 12 miles east of Jacksonville, TX
- Size
- 300-acre preserve
- Experience
- Self-guided drive-through safari with 20+ exotic and endangered species
- Operating Days
- Open 361 days a year
💡 Did You Know?
- The safari has grown dramatically over time - what took 30 minutes to drive through 19 years ago now takes 2-2.5 hours, indicating significant expansion and addition of animals to the 300-acre reserve
- Visitors can hand-feed animals directly from their vehicles, with animals getting close enough to stick their heads inside cars, creating an unusually interactive experience compared to traditional drive-thru safaris
- The safari features a midpoint Welcome Center at the quarter-way marker where visitors can purchase additional animal feed, with typical guests using 4-7 bags of feed per person throughout the 2+ hour experience
- Camels are a notable attraction that frequently interact with visitors - so aggressively that they will steal food bags directly from visitors' laps, requiring specific warnings from staff
💬 What Visitors Say
- Plan for 2-3 hours to complete the drive-through safari, not just 30 minutes. The preserve has expanded significantly with over 300 acres and hundreds of animals, so allow adequate time to enjoy the experience without rushing.
- Purchase extra animal feed bags beyond your included admission bag. Visitors consistently report needing 4-7 bags total for 1-2 people. The Welcome Center at the 1/4 way point allows you to buy additional feed before continuing.
- Bring wipes or hand sanitizer - animals are very interactive and will eat directly from your hands (though hand-feeding is against rules). They are extremely drooly and stick their heads into vehicles, so prepare accordingly.
- Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours, as weather can affect operations. This is especially important given the outdoor drive-through nature of the attraction.
- Camels and zebras are the most assertive animals at the park. While camels may grab food from your lap, they're generally not dangerous - just drive slowly, stay alert, and enjoy the interactive nature of the experience.
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