A 100‑acre Wildlife Day: Safari Trucks, Hands‑On Feedings, and Keeper Talks at Catoctin

THURMONT WILDLIFE FIELD GUIDE

A 100‑acre Wildlife Day: Safari Trucks, Hands‑On Feedings, and Keeper Talks at Catoctin

A practical guide to General Admission at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont — what to expect from safari truck rides, feeding encounters and seasonal events.

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A 100‑acre Wildlife Day: Safari Trucks, Hands‑On Feedings, and Keeper Talks at Catoctin.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Thurmont
Operator
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve
Category
Wildlife
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

The Catoctin Wildlife Preserve is a 100‑acre wildlife sanctuary in Thurmont, Maryland, where visitors can spend a day on safari truck rides through a wooded setting, touch and feed large herbivores, attend tortoise feedings, and take in keeper talks and seasonal festivals.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE ROUTE

Safari truck rides through a wooded, 100‑acre preserve

The preserve’s signature safari truck rides take guests into a wooded 100‑acre area where visitors can touch and feed large herbivores for close, supervised encounters.

THE INTERACTIONS

Feeding demos and tortoise feedings

Scheduled feedings — from large herbivores on the safari to tortoise feedings — are regular features, offering hands‑on moments and educational demonstrations.

THE PROGRAMS

Keeper talks and seasonal festivals

Keeper talks and seasonal festivals provide additional programming and opportunities to learn about the animals and the preserve’s care routines.

What the day feels like

What a day at Catoctin feels like

A General Admission visit unfolds as a mix of guided and free‑roam experiences: you arrive at the preserve, join the safari truck to enter wooded animal areas, participate in keeper‑led feedings and talks, and drop in on seasonal festival activities scheduled throughout the day.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this admission is best for — and who should take special note.

1
Families with childrenIdeal — the preserve features hands‑on feedings, tortoise demonstrations, and family‑friendly seasonal festivals; children aged 2 and under are free for admission.
2
Wildlife enthusiastsA strong match for those who want close encounters with large herbivores and educational keeper talks across the preserve’s wooded acreage.
3
Seniors & military visitorsDiscounted admission is available for seniors (65+) and military — applicable ID must be presented upon arrival.
4
Budget‑minded visitorsGeneral Admission provides access to the preserve’s core experiences at set rates, with specific pricing by age category; note that all admissions are non‑refundable.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Location & Meeting Point

The preserve is on Maryland Route 806; the stated meeting location/address is 13019 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

Admissions & Ticket Use

Tickets are non‑refundable. Tickets may be used any day the preserve is open for the 2025 season.

On‑site activity notes

Activities occur in a wooded setting and include opportunities to touch and feed large herbivores plus tortoise feedings and keeper talks.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

What are the General Admission rates?

Adult (ages 13–64) $29.50; Child (ages 3–12) $20.50; Seniors (65+) & Military $27.50; children 2 and under are free.

Where do I go when I arrive?

The meeting location/address is 13019 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

Can I get a refund if plans change?

All admissions are non‑refundable.

Can tickets be used on a different day?

Tickets may be used any day the preserve is open for the 2025 season.

Do seniors or military receive a discount?

Yes — seniors (65+) and military receive a reduced admission rate; please present ID upon arrival.