Aikman Wildlife Adventure

About Aikman Wildlife Adventure

Aikman Wildlife Adventure is a privately operated wildlife park at 125 N Co Rd 425E in Arcola, Illinois. The park is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is organized around three main attractions that visitors can combine in a single trip: a drive-thru safari, a walk-thru zoo and a Museum of Prehistoric Life.

According to the park's website, the drive-thru safari presents more than 100 large animals that can be seen from a vehicle along a path the site describes as a mile long. The walk-thru zoo holds smaller animals, and the museum displays life-size models of prehistoric animals. The park also offers guided adventure tickets, a membership program, an adopt-a-species program, seasonal events, overnight lodging and a wedding venue.

Alongside the animal attractions, the website lists Wildlife Manor, which offers overnight stays in a cabin called Elk Ridge that is booked through Airbnb, and Rustic Acres, a wedding venue with a barn loft and a reception space.

Exhibits and habitats

Drive-thru safari. The drive-thru is a self-guided experience in a personal vehicle. The park's page describes large, free-roaming wildlife that may be seen grazing and interacting with one another, and notes that each visit differs because the animals move freely through the habitat. Vehicle windows must remain rolled up at all times, and guests may not pet or feed animals from their vehicles. The park's homepage names zebras, bison and camels among the animals visitors may see on the drive-thru, and lists Chapman's zebra and nyala among its featured animals.

Walk-thru zoo. The walk-thru zoo is the park's section for smaller animals. The homepage describes it as home to "smaller animals, predators, and petting zoo" and names sloths, spotted hyenas, kangaroos and wallabies among the animals there. Featured animals named on the homepage also include a caracal, a corn snake, a red kangaroo, a Eurasian eagle owl and a wolfdog.

Museum of Prehistoric Life. The museum's page names its life-size prehistoric models, among them Smilodon, Arctodus, Carnotaurus, Gigantopithecus, Sivatherium, Daeodon, Diatryma, Ornimegalonyx, Eohippus, Megacamelus and Protylopus. The museum's tagline, as shown on its page, is "Don't Settle For Bones Behind Barriers," and the page states that guests can interact with the models rather than viewing them from a distance. The homepage describes the museum as "filled with 40+ dinosaur models and other interactive experiences."

Conservation and programs

The park lists several programs on its website.

S.O.A.R. membership. The park's membership program is called S.O.A.R., which stands for Special Opportunities and Rewards. According to the site, members receive a different perk each month; the October perk listed was a discount on Off-Road Adventures, which had to be purchased in person on the day.

Adopt-a-Species. The website invites visitors to adopt an animal for one year, with options for individuals, families and businesses.

Junior Zookeeper Experience, field trips and group tours. The homepage lists a Junior Zookeeper Experience, field trips and group tours.

Volunteering and internships. The site lists volunteer and internship opportunities.

Events. The homepage lists Howl-O-Ween 2026 on October 24, Grandparents Days, Easter events and Pathway of Lights.

Planning your visit

Adventure tickets. Besides standard admission, the website offers several guided options.

• Wagon Adventure: a guided wagon ride through the drive-thru area with a staff member who provides commentary. The site states that wagon adventures are seasonal, operate first come, first served, cannot be reserved in advance and are sold the same day at the gift shop. Access to the walk-thru areas and the museum is included with the ticket.
• Off-Road Adventure: a guided tour in a personal UTV into the habitat with the larger free-roaming animals, where guests may feed and interact with animals that approach the vehicle. A walk-thru portion follows, covering the walk-thru animal areas and two museum spaces.
• Behind-the-Scenes Adventure: a guided walk through areas normally closed to the public, with stories about animal care, encounters with several animals, and a UTV tour through the drive-thru habitat.
• Triple Crown Adventure: a package that combines the walk-thru, the drive-thru and the museum.

Hours. As listed on the zoo's website for October, the park is open Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Monday through Thursday. The site notes that the drive-thru is available only on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall. Hours change by season, so the website is the place to confirm current days.

Tickets and booking. Ticket details and online reservations are on the zoo's website. The drive-thru and adventure pages link to an online reservation system.

Contact. The phone number listed on the website is 217-268-3500, and the email address is info@aikmanwildlife.com.