“We Bought a Zoo” might be a movie based on a true story that happened in the UK, but less than an hour outside of Chattanooga sits Ocoee Riverside Farm — Benton’s very own version.
Owned by John and Donna Warner, this 30-acre farm began its journey back in 2021 when the Warners only had a llama and a riverside cabin listed on Airbnb. Now, the property offers six types of lodging + most importantly, is licensed as a zoo, housing 150 animals (50 different species).
The best part? You get to interact with them.
“I perceive zoos to be crowds of people where you can occasionally see an animal, here you can fully go up to touch them,” John Warner said.
I recently got to take my own tour of the farm, so let’s get into what you can experience yourself.
Not your regular farm animals
Some of the animals you could see on your visit are sloths, highland cows, a zebra, camels, llamas, kangaroos, and so many more.
Animal encounters are available to book for guests staying on the property or just visiting for a day trip + range in price and age restrictions. Some encounters I recommend checking out are:
- Hang with a sloth | $90 per person | 30-minute encounter to feed, pet, and learn about this animal — bonus: Upgrade to a VIP experience or check out the option to snuggle with a baby sloth.
- Full farm tour | $13 per person | 90-minute tour of the site and the chance to feed various animals along the way — with an option to add-on other encounters with the kangaroos.
- Bottle feed a baby kangaroo | $30 per person | 30-minute session to sit with the joeys of the farm and feed them personally.
- See the farm via a horseback ride | Book a 20-, 40-, or 60-minute ride at various prices with the farm’s horses.
Overnighters
If you’re looking to make this more than a day trip, there’s a variety of lodging options to choose from to fully experience the farm + even explore the nearby Cherokee National Forest.
- The Barn Loft | For the horse gals and pals, you’ll be staying in the loft located inside the equestrian barn.
- The Camel Condo | Perfect for the family or group trips, this condo fits up to 10 people + has scenic views of the pond.
- Covered wagons | Choose one of the three options to enjoy a rustic glamping experience that offers private campsites, proximity to the on-site bathrooms, and overlooks the river.
- The Glampsite | This campsite recently went through a renovation and now features a tiny house with a queen-size bed.
- The Guest Room | Get close with the family who runs the farm by staying in this guest room in their own private residence.
- The Riverside Cabin | This two-story cabin overlooks the river, has a full kitchen + outdoor spaces like a grilling gazebo.
Fun fact: Ocoee Riverside Farm has welcomed guests from 45 countries — from Belgium to the Netherlands — and the only state they haven’t had an overnight guest from is Idaho.
