The Best Ways to Guarantee Seeing “Wild” Animals in the Smokies

Safaris, zoos and more within an easy drive of the Smokies

After decades of tourists driving hundreds of miles just to see them, it seems the animals of the Smoky Mountains have gotten a little divaish. Sure, it still seems easier to see bears in the wild than ever before. But there’s no guarantee.

So, what do you do when the family absolutely, positively 100 percent wants to see some animals on their Great Smoky Mountain adventure? You hedge your bets. There are a variety of ways to guarantee that you will see wild, exotic, or rare animals on your visit you just should be willing to pay.

The top guaranteed animal experiences in Smokies:

Briarwood Ranch and Safari Park

Located in the Cocke County community of Bybee, Briarwood Ranch was the dream of the late Ron Nease and it has continued in his honor. The Safari features roughly 150 animals along the four-mile path that tours the park’s 100 acres. The animals represent six continents and are able to roam freely.

Guests can drive the loop in their own vehicle or call ahead to schedule a wagon ride. Guests can – from their car or the wagons – feed a variety of deer, antelope, elk, bison – including a rare white buffalo, zebras, yak and more. 

The animals are used to being fed and are mostly tame but can get a little insistent. For the record, while driving the loop guests are required to stay in their vehicles with the doors closed. 

This is a fun and unique mountain experience to get up close and personal with a variety of animals in an approved and safe way. We’ve done both the wagon ride and in our own car. I prefer the wagon by quite a lot. If you can call ahead and schedule a wagon ride, I recommend it. 

As a bonus, one of the truly hidden culinary gems of East Tennessee is nearby. CJ Papadops is a wonderful dining experience nestled deep in the mountains of East Tennessee. The food varies frequently blending American, European and Mediterranean styles. The food is fantastic.

Zoo Knoxville

Why would you drive all that way just to go to a zoo? Well, Zoo Knoxville has more than 1,500 residents, guaranteeing you’ll see bears as well as lions and tigers and more.

The zoo is renowned for its Red Panda exhibit. Zoo Knoxville’s breeding program has helped make sure that this Endangered Species continues to exist. The zoo has been on an extensive improvement campaign that saw new compounds for its tigers, otters and reptiles and Amphibians.

Other new exhibits include Max’s Aviary which houses the zoo’s macaws and also the Rhino Reserve for its two southern white rhinos. Zoo Knoxville isn’t the biggest – or in fairness the best – zoo in the world. However, it has shown a dedication to improving the experience for both its residents and its guests. 

Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo 

The term petting zoo conjures up a sad image of too many animals in too little space. That isn’t the experience at the Smoky Mountain Deer Farm whose owners had a vision back in the 1980s. They bought more than 140 acres of land in Sevier County and have spent the last four decades making their dreams of owning a facility where the animals could be well cared for and happy and the public could still get the interactive experience. 

The petting zoo allows guests to get up close and personal with deer, elk, goats, a camel, zebras, an emu, and pot-belly pigs. Other animals include giant rabbits, mini-donkeys, ostriches, exotic cattle and more. There are also horse and pony rides available.

Ripley’s Aquarium

Still one of the best experiences in the Smokies, Ripley’s Aquarium may be short of deer or bears, but it makes up for it with sharks, penguins, and a lot more. You can even pet the rays if you feel so inclined. 

Parrot Mountain

Located past Dollywood, Parrott Mountain remains one of the most intriguing attractions in the Smokies. The mountains were once home to the colorful, and now extinct, Carolina Parakeet, a member of the non-tropical parrot family. But today, the idea of hundreds – or thousands – of exotic birds living in English style cottage birdhouses in the mountains of East Tennessee remains wild.

That said, if you want a memorable animal experience in Smokies, this one is hard to beat. The birds – and the gardens – are both quite beautiful. There are opportunities to – queue the Mary Poppins – feed the birds including a walk-in aviary where Australian lorikeets will drink nectar from your hand. 

Have you visited any of these wildlife attractions? Let us know in the comments!