JOHNSON CITY ZOO FIELD GUIDE
A tractor-trailer tour through a free‑roaming menagerie — up close on a one‑hour ride at Exotic Resort Zoo
This Guided Tour pairs a roughly one‑hour tractor‑trailer ride with access to the petting zoo, caged animals and picnic area, and this guide explains what to expect, accessibility provisions, weather rules and planning essentials.
A tractor-trailer tour through a free‑roaming menagerie — up close on a one‑hour ride at Exotic Resort Zoo.
At Exotic Resort Zoo in Johnson City the Guided Tour is an hour‑long, tractor‑trailer ride through habitats populated by hundreds of animals from around the world, paired with access to a petting zoo, caged-animal areas and a picnic space; the park operates daily from 9am to 5pm, with a few holiday closures. The experience is billed as interactive and unscripted — animals live in free‑roaming environments and are not trained to perform — and the operation is family owned and run, promising a different encounter every visit.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hundreds of free‑roaming animals, close at hand
Guided Tours give visitors an interactive, up‑close view of hundreds of animals from around the world in free‑roaming environments; animals are not trained to perform, so each encounter is unique.
Boarding designed for all abilities
The operator provides a heavy‑duty ramp for wheelchair users and others with mobility needs and states they can accommodate guests who require assistance getting onto the trailer.
Rain or shine — except for lightning
Tours generally run in most weather, but if there is significant lightning the tractor‑trailer tours are suspended; in that case visitors are offered a drive‑through option, and guests are advised that animals (and riders) can get wet.
What the day feels like
What the tractor‑trailer ride feels like
Expect a guided, roughly one‑hour circuit from the trailer seat, led by a singular tour host and punctuated by stops that let you access the petting zoo, caged‑animal areas and picnic grounds; tours do not depart on a fixed schedule, so the longest wait before boarding may be around 30–45 minutes.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits — and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The park is open daily from 9am to 5pm; guided‑tour tickets are valid any time during that window on the day of purchase (private guided tours depart at set times).
Bring patience for possible weekend or holiday waits and consider a towel — animals may be wet and visitors can get a little wet in damp weather.
A heavy‑duty ramp is available for wheelchairs and those with mobility issues; staff state they can assist guests onto the trailer.
There is a 24‑hour cancellation policy: cancel more than 24 hours before the booking for a full refund; cancel within 24 hours and you will receive a gift card instead.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
When can we use our tickets?
Tickets are valid any time between 9am and 5pm on the day they were purchased; private guided tours depart at set times.
How long is the Guided Tour and how long might we wait to board?
Guided Tours take approximately one hour; tours do not leave at set times and the longest wait you may experience is around 30–45 minutes.
What is the cancellation policy?
There is a 24‑hour cancellation policy: cancel before 24 hours of your scheduled booking for a full refund; cancel within 24 hours and you will receive a gift card.
Is the Exotic Resort Zoo dog friendly?
The park is steering away from being dog friendly; visitors with specific questions about pets should call the park to discuss.
Are Guided Tours handicap accessible?
Yes — the zoo provides a heavy‑duty ramp and staff can assist guests in wheelchairs or those with mobility issues onto the trailer.
What is the bad weather policy?
Tours operate rain or shine, but if there is significant lightning Guided Tours are suspended and visitors are offered a drive‑through option; guests are advised to call if weather is a concern.
Why should we visit the Exotic Resort Zoo?
The zoo is family owned and operated, animals live in free‑roaming environments and are not trained to perform, so each visit offers unique, unscripted interactions.