Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
Sevierville, TN
- Admission
- —
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
13 confirmedMammals11
Wolfgang Moroder · CC BY-SA 3.0Highland Cattle
Clément Bardot · CC BY-SA 4.0Camel
Kuebi = Armin Kübelbeck · CC BY-SA 3.0Goat
Membeth · CC0Elk
Lilly M · CC BY-SA 3.0Sika Deer
Johann-Nikolaus Andreae · CC BY-SA 2.0Fallow Deer
Mätes II. · CC BY-SA 3.0Donkey
Nokota_Horses.jpg : François Marchal derivative work: Dana boomer ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0Miniature Horse
Yathin S Krishnappa · CC BY-SA 3.0Zebra
Are G Nilsen · CC BY-SA 3.0Reindeer
Animalculum · CC BY 4.0Pot-bellied Pig
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo
The Smoky Mountain Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo is a petting zoo and horseback-riding operation at 478 Happy Hollow Lane in Sevierville, Tennessee. The farm's website describes a barnyard environment in a 140-acre foothills setting, where visitors can walk among the animals and hand-feed them. It is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The farm's Our Story page names Lynn and Greg Hoisington III as its developers and owners. The attraction combines two parts: the petting zoo, and a separate riding stable with its own phone line and reservations.
History
According to the farm's Our Story page, owners Lynn and Greg Hoisington III were on vacation from their home in California in 1977 when they came across the Grand Canyon Deer Farm in Arizona. They returned to the Arizona farm in 1987 before committing to their own venture.
The Hoisingtons spent eight years working in nuclear health physics to fund the project. They bought 143 acres in Tennessee in 1985. In 1988 they left their nuclear careers and began development of the property, which the story describes as leveling a ridge, stringing fence lines, constructing shelters, and laying out pathways for visiting children.
Exhibits and habitats
The farm's website lists the following animals: camels, zebras, goats, reindeer, Rocky Mountain elk, emus, fallow deer, sika deer, miniature horses, Continental Giant rabbits, ostriches, Highland cattle, donkeys, and zonkeys. Visitors can hand-feed animals in the petting zoo, and the farm sells souvenir animal treat cups.
Pony rides are a separate attraction for small children. The website describes them as old-fashioned pony rides led by a parent, with limits on child height and weight that are posted on its pricing and hours page. The riding stables offer trail rides on wooded paths that the farm describes as largely shaded, with mountain views.
Conservation and programs
The farm's website presents the attraction as a hands-on animal experience. Programs listed are the petting zoo, pony rides, and guided trail rides. The riding stables say they accommodate first-time riders and that riders age 5 and up can ride their own horse with or without a lead line. The website also hosts videos of the farm and offers pages for coupons and donations.
Planning your visit
As listed on the zoo's website, the petting zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with last ticket sales at 4 p.m. The riding stables keep the same opening hours, weather permitting, and the last one-hour ride departs by 4 p.m. Pony rides are listed as open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting. The website says the attractions are open year-round, seven days a week, except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Reservations are required for horseback riding, and the website says walk-in riders are not currently accepted. Riders have a stated maximum weight, and ASTM-certified helmets are available on request. Groups arriving by bus, RV, or tractor-trailer are asked to call ahead because parking is limited. Ticket details are on the farm's website.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Ticket prices (see the farm's website)
- Parking layout and any fees
- Accessibility details
- Which animals are on view in each season
Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting ZooThis zooSevierville, TN | — | — | — | No |
| Brights ZooLimestone, TN | $24.02 | Fall (Sept–Dec): Mon–Wed & Fri–Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sun 12:00 – 5:00 PM; closed Thursday. Last entry 3:30 PM. Dec 2 – Mar 1 (winter closure); may close for inclement weather. | — | No |
| Chattanooga Zoo at Warner ParkChattanooga, TN | $26.95 | 9am – 5pm | 13 acres | Yes |
| Memphis ZooMemphis, TN | $20.95–$30.95 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last admission 4:00 PM). On public Lantern Festival nights the zoo closes at 4:00 PM (last entry 3:00 PM). | 76 acres | Yes |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Smoky Mountains Deer Farm and Exotic Petting Zoo: common questions
Where is the farm located?
At 478 Happy Hollow Lane, Sevierville, Tennessee 37876.
Is it open year-round?
As listed on the zoo's website, it is open seven days a week all year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are required for horseback riding, according to the farm's website.
What animals can visitors feed?
The petting zoo lets visitors hand-feed animals, and treat cups are available. The listed animals include goats, deer, camels, zebras, and reindeer.
Is there a pony ride for young children?
Yes. The website lists led pony rides with child height and weight limits.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.