Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail
Welcome to Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, an enchanting wildlife preserve located at 293 Gran Ellen Dr, Athens, Georgia. With a stellar rating of 4.7 stars, this family-friendly destination offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and learn about local wildlife in a serene, well-maintained environment. Open seven days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM, Bear Hollow is the perfect spot for a day out with family or friends, where you can enjoy the beauty of Georgia's natural habitats while observing a variety of rescued animals. At Bear Hollow, visitors can stroll along the winding, paved trails that showcase diverse habitats, including black bear, river otter, bald eagle, and whitetail deer. This carefully designed sanctuary is not only a place for animal observation but also an educational experience where guests can engage with the wildlife and learn about conservation efforts. Many visitors, like John Arthur, have praised the trail as a fantastic venue for special occasions, such as birthdays, where kids can interact with animals up close. With ample opportunities for learning and connection, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail stands out as a beloved gem in Athens, ensuring customer satisfaction through its commitment to animal welfare and environmental education. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail invites you to explore the wonders of wildlife while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of this charming preserve. Come and discover why so many families return time and again to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Bear Hollow—where nature and education come together for an unforgettable experience. For more information, you can visit their website at accgov.com or contact them at (706) 613-3580.
Photos
Videos (8 total)
Showing 1 of 8 videos
Reviews & Questions
Google Reviews
John Arthur
Great family place! Lots of saved animals and great views. Even had my sons 10th birthday there! They brought out 3 different animals for them to pet and learn about.
BRAD BURT
Enjoyable little free zoo. Very hot day to visit. Felt bad for some of the animals due to the heat. Never saw the fox, river otter,or spotted fox. Maybe they were hiding to beat the heat.
mark yaun
Will laid out Sanctuary for non-returnable to the wild animals nice winding paved trail leading passed many different habitats including black bear river otter bald eagle and whitetail deer Plus two species of owl and wild turkey unfortunately some of the habitats were unoccupied ,several of the reptiles were not visible due to the cool temperature. a great place for an outing with the family, especially if you have young children. The staff were very friendly and informative donations are accepted I did not see any entrance fee listed
Corey Guthrie
It's more like a wildlife preserve than a zoo, but it is still really nice! It's well kept. They seem to be doing some renovations, but that's always a good sign. The animals were mostly napping when we went, but the few that weren't were amazing to see and observe. They also give facts about the species, and they tell you exactly what you're looking at. The bald eagle was my absolute favorite. They even had turkeys, which was nice to see just to see not for sport. My daughter liked it too. She's loves animals. Best part is it is free!
Jennie Webb
Small, but seems to be well kept. Quiet. Fun to watch the animals!
Christine Bernal
Small rehab zoo with free entry. Otters, beavers, small reptiles, deer, an alligator, owls, a skunk, a fox, bears, turkeys, and a bald eagle. Some lovely relatively new murals now too. The nearby Birchmore Trail and Memorial Park with playground, small lake, and dog park are worth checking out.
Tippy Eisenhardt
We came 30 minutes prior to closing my daughter really enjoyed it a ton on the left before you reach parking they also have a playground great for toddlers and what looks like a dog park but no pets in zoo part.
Broocks Regan
It's a little bit more rundown than it was when we visited in 2019. They are in the middle of some renovations that look very nice. The new fences look much better than the old ones. I don't know why some of the gates were locked. It was a little troubling. The biggest detractor right now is the condition of the animal sanctuaries. Kind of reminds me how yellow River game ranch was in their decline. Have to keep in mind that this is a free to the public zoo. If you go to their website there are options to help to support them if we don't want to see something like this disappear.
Jeremy Platt
Great place to see some animals and birds. Some exhibits have new railing and board walks others don't. But on a nice day it's fun to say hey to all creatures. Free park but donations are welcomed to keep the park thriving and entertaining for animals and guests.
Karen Phillips
We love coming here and seeing the bears, alligator, otters, and other animals. The zoo has just reopened after being shut down from covid 19 for a few months. They have re-routed part of the path so it is one way to cut down on guests getting close to each other. It is a nice little free zoo!
