Zootastic Park

About Zootastic Park

Zootastic Park is a privately owned zoo at 448 Pilch Road in Troutman, North Carolina. According to its About Us page, Scottie Brown, who was born and raised in North Carolina, opened the park because he wanted to educate the public in a memorable way, and is an advocate for education, conservation and care for the park's animals. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The park's website lists animal encounters, a drive-thru with posted rules, summer camp, field trips, season passes, gift certificates, Easter egg hunts, a Care for a Critter animal sponsorship program and a lodging option called The Sahari.

Exhibits and habitats

The park's animal encounter pages name many of the species it keeps: lemurs (including ruffed lemurs), a kangaroo, an armadillo, a kinkajou, a two-toed sloth, a tamandua, a serval, a giraffe, a spider monkey and a camel. The park notes that animals are subject to change without notice. Its FAQ says free-range birds roam the park, and that dogs are not allowed because the birds are not fans of them.

The Sahari lodging page names gemsbok and zebras as neighbors of the accommodations and says zebras can be fed from the porches.

Encounters and programs

The website lists several encounter formats:

• Safari Encounter. A 60-minute experience with hands-on interactions with lemurs, a kangaroo, an armadillo and a kinkajou, with zoo admission included for up to five people.
• Safari Plus Encounter. The same, plus one choice from two-toed sloth, tamandua, serval, giraffe or spider monkey.
• Super Safari. The same, plus two choices from that list.
• 15-minute encounters. First-come, first-served encounters with individual animals, with zoo admission required separately. The park advises guests to visit the general store on arrival for the best chance of booking one.

The 15-minute encounter list also includes a camel, ruffed lemurs, a giraffe and a two-toed sloth. The park also offers summer camp and field trips for groups.

The Sahari

The Sahari is an on-site lodging option inside the zoo. The park lists two safari-style tents: the Springbok, which sleeps two, and the Gemsbok, which sleeps four and has a private hot tub on its porch. Both have a kitchenette, a full bathroom, an outdoor deck and mini-split heating and cooling. The page says registered guests receive free zoo admission and complimentary animal feed for feeding zebras and other animals from their porches, and that check-in is contactless with an entry code sent before arrival. Free parking is provided for up to two vehicles. The page also introduces Siloh units with an upstairs suite as a newer part of the Sahari.

Planning your visit

As listed on the park's website, zoo hours are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The FAQ says the park does not take reservations for general admission or sell tickets online, it is open rain or shine except in extreme weather, and admission is good for the entire day, including re-entry. As a privately owned zoo it does not offer reciprocal admission for other zoos' members. Teachers enter free with a school ID and military visitors pay the child rate, according to the FAQ. Outside food and drink are permitted for guests, though not for feeding the animals, and picnic tables are available throughout the park. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the park. Manual wheelchairs are available first-come, first-served, and an ATM is in the main admissions building. The FAQ states that a card processing fee applies to card payments. Phone: (704) 245-6446.