Some of these places are more popular than others, but they are still likely to be less crowded than your local zoo. Additionally, many of these spots help to rescue and rehabilitate animals, or allow them to roam free of cages; other spots are wildlife preserves or sanctuaries. You’ll get to interact closely with animals, outside the typical zoo environment. True animal lovers will savor these unique experiences! I’ll start with more well known areas and then move into the more obscure.
- Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, Forked River
Facebook/PopcornParkAssociatedHumanceSoc
Facebook/PopcornParkAssociatedHumanceSoc Established in 1977, this non-profit animal sanctuary aims to provide “a refuge for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, birds, exotic and farm animals.” They host great charity events all year long, like Rock2Adopt, and even allow you to feed certain animals!
- Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia
Facebook/LakotaWolfPreserve Another incredible non-profit, Lakota allows tours by appointment only. While you cannot handle the wolves, you can enjoy them up close in their natural environment. Photography is allowed and encouraged!
- Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
Flickr/Anthony Quintano This stunning state park is known for its native population of Red Foxes. If you spend enough time at the park, you’ll likely be afforded incredible photo opportunities. Admission is only $6 per car for New Jersey residents, and it is only charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Please remember to be respectful of these wild animals and their habitat.
- Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford
Facebook/CedarRun
Facebook/CedarRun This 171-acre refuge includes the Woodford Nature Center, an outdoor housing area with more than 60 native residents, and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital. The hospital cares for more than 4000 injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife animals each year! Admission is only $5 for adults, and allows you to access the nature center, reptile room and wildlife trails.
- Funny Farm Rescue Animal Sanctuary, Mays Landing
Facebook/FunnyFarmRescue Funny Farm Rescue has created a home for unwanted farm animals, domesticated animals and animals with special needs to live out their natural lives. Visiting hours are currently Tuesdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Enjoy feedings up close at 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Lorrimer Nature Sanctuary, Franklin Lakes
Facebook/LorrimerNatureSanctuary
Facebook/LorrimerNatureSanctuary Manged by the New Jersey Audubon Society, this nature sanctuary and center offers self guided tours and interactive exhibits from Wednesday to Sunday.
- Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Facebook/NewJerseySchermanHoffmanWildlifeSanctuary This massive sanctuary spans nearly 300 acres and is home to over 200 species. Trails are open seven days a week from dawn until dusk, the visitor center is open from Tuesday through Sunday. There are three distinct trails offering woodland, meadow and floodplain wildlife including foxes, woodpeckers, deer, ducks and the occasional bear.
- The Raptor Trust, Millington
Facebook/TheRaptorTrust/BernadetteLawler The Raptor Trust is one of the foremost wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States. The Trust includes a state-of-the-art hospital, quality exterior housing for several hundred birds, and an education center. Open year-round, hours are seasonal and admission is free. However, a modest $2 donation is requested.
- Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary, Oldwick
Facebook/RovingNature This sanctuary offers a wide selection of wildlife, particularly the reptile and avian varieties. Enjoy eleven miles of trails, seven days a week! Bring your dog, or even your horse! This non-profit sanctuary offers numerous educational programs for children and families.
- The Barnyard Sanctuary, Columbia
Facebook/TheBarnyardSanctuary
Facebook, The Barnyard Sanctuary Open to the public seven days a week, hours are limited and tours are available by appointment only. The sanctuary is home to dozens of displaced and abandoned farm animals, many of whom are available for adoption. Enjoy donkeys, ducks, sheep, pigs, horses, cows, goats and more!
A brief, heartwarming video about The Barnyard Sanctuary:
Facebook/PopcornParkAssociatedHumanceSoc
Established in 1977, this non-profit animal sanctuary aims to provide “a refuge for abandoned, injured, ill, exploited, abused or elderly wildlife, birds, exotic and farm animals.” They host great charity events all year long, like Rock2Adopt, and even allow you to feed certain animals!
Facebook/LakotaWolfPreserve
Another incredible non-profit, Lakota allows tours by appointment only. While you cannot handle the wolves, you can enjoy them up close in their natural environment. Photography is allowed and encouraged!
Flickr/Anthony Quintano
This stunning state park is known for its native population of Red Foxes. If you spend enough time at the park, you’ll likely be afforded incredible photo opportunities. Admission is only $6 per car for New Jersey residents, and it is only charged between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Please remember to be respectful of these wild animals and their habitat.
Facebook/CedarRun
This 171-acre refuge includes the Woodford Nature Center, an outdoor housing area with more than 60 native residents, and a wildlife rehabilitation hospital. The hospital cares for more than 4000 injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife animals each year! Admission is only $5 for adults, and allows you to access the nature center, reptile room and wildlife trails.
Facebook/FunnyFarmRescue
Funny Farm Rescue has created a home for unwanted farm animals, domesticated animals and animals with special needs to live out their natural lives. Visiting hours are currently Tuesdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Enjoy feedings up close at 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Facebook/LorrimerNatureSanctuary
Manged by the New Jersey Audubon Society, this nature sanctuary and center offers self guided tours and interactive exhibits from Wednesday to Sunday.
Facebook/NewJerseySchermanHoffmanWildlifeSanctuary
This massive sanctuary spans nearly 300 acres and is home to over 200 species. Trails are open seven days a week from dawn until dusk, the visitor center is open from Tuesday through Sunday. There are three distinct trails offering woodland, meadow and floodplain wildlife including foxes, woodpeckers, deer, ducks and the occasional bear.
Facebook/TheRaptorTrust/BernadetteLawler
The Raptor Trust is one of the foremost wild bird rehabilitation centers in the United States. The Trust includes a state-of-the-art hospital, quality exterior housing for several hundred birds, and an education center. Open year-round, hours are seasonal and admission is free. However, a modest $2 donation is requested.
Facebook/RovingNature
This sanctuary offers a wide selection of wildlife, particularly the reptile and avian varieties. Enjoy eleven miles of trails, seven days a week! Bring your dog, or even your horse! This non-profit sanctuary offers numerous educational programs for children and families.
Facebook/TheBarnyardSanctuary
Facebook, The Barnyard Sanctuary
Open to the public seven days a week, hours are limited and tours are available by appointment only. The sanctuary is home to dozens of displaced and abandoned farm animals, many of whom are available for adoption. Enjoy donkeys, ducks, sheep, pigs, horses, cows, goats and more!
These are some of my favorite places to enjoy, and I hope you will too! They are all non-profit organizations and many are in need of volunteers. If you have the time, considering working with the animals first-hand at one of these incredible places. You may also be interested in no-kill shelters and rescues including the Oasis Animal Sanctuary, Wild Baby Rescue, Tabby’s Place, RBARI, St. Hubert’s and The Last Resort Animal Rescue. If you’re tight on time, share this post and raise awareness. Also, please share your favorite spots to get up-close with animals in the comments.
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