Keystone Safari, located in Grove City, Pennsylvania, offers visitors a distinctive and exciting wildlife experience. With open-air safaris, interactive animal encounters, and seasonal events, Keystone Safari has quickly become a favorite family-friendly destination for residents and tourists alike. This wildlife park provides an opportunity to connect with animals from across the globe, allowing guests to explore naturalistic habitats and engage with wildlife in meaningful ways.
This comprehensive guide will explore everything Keystone Safari has to offer, including ticket options, popular attractions, animal experiences, and tips for planning a memorable visit.
Keystone Safari
Keystone Safari is a one-of-a-kind wildlife park where visitors can experience safari-style tours, walk-through animal exhibits, and up-close encounters with various exotic and native animals. Spread over a vast area, the park offers an immersive experience, making it feel as though you’re stepping into the wild. Unlike traditional zoos, Keystone Safari allows animals ample space to roam while still enabling visitors to get close to them safely.
Types of Keystone Safari Tickets
Keystone Safari offers several ticketing options to cater to the diverse needs of its visitors. Here’s an overview of the available tickets:
- General Admission: This ticket grants access to the walk-through exhibits, allowing guests to explore the animal habitats at their own pace.
- Safari Tour Tickets: Keystone Safari’s main attraction is the guided safari tour. This ticket offers a drive-through experience where visitors can see animals in open habitats from the comfort of their vehicles.
- Annual Passes: For frequent visitors, annual passes provide unlimited access to the park throughout the year, along with discounts on food, shopping, and seasonal events.
Interactive Animal Encounters at Keystone Safari
One of Keystone Safari’s standout features is its range of interactive animal encounters, which give visitors an up-close experience with some of the park’s resident animals. These encounters are designed to educate and inspire respect for wildlife. Here are some popular options:
- Giraffe Feeding: Visitors have the unique opportunity to hand-feed the giraffes, getting close to these gentle giants and learning about their habits and habitat.
- Camel Rides: Keystone Safari offers camel rides, where guests can enjoy a unique view of the park from the back of one of these fascinating animals.
- Petting Zoo: The petting zoo is a hit with children, allowing them to interact with friendly farm animals like goats, sheep, and miniature horses.
- Bird Aviary: Keystone Safari also features an interactive aviary where guests can feed vibrant, free-flying birds.
Walk-Through Wildlife Exhibits
The walk-through section of Keystone Safari is home to a diverse range of animals in naturalistic enclosures, from African antelopes to North American deer. Unlike typical zoo exhibits, these habitats allow animals to move freely, offering a more authentic viewing experience for visitors. Key animals you might see in the walk-through exhibits include:
- Big Cats: Keystone Safari is home to several big cats, including lions and tigers, housed in spacious habitats designed to mimic their natural surroundings.
- Primates: The park features various primates, including lemurs and monkeys, providing visitors with the chance to observe their behaviors up close.
- Bison and Elk: Keystone Safari celebrates North American wildlife with enclosures for bison, elk, and other native species, offering a glimpse into the diversity of the continent’s animals.
The Safari Drive-Through Experience
One of the highlights of Keystone is its drive-through safari tour. This attraction allows guests to stay in their vehicles while driving through open habitats, observing animals up close in an environment that closely resembles their natural settings. Here’s what you can expect on the safari:
- Free-Roaming Animals: The safari tour includes areas where animals like zebras, ostriches, and antelope roam freely, providing a thrilling and immersive experience.
- Educational Stops: During the safari, there are designated stops where visitors can learn about different species, their habitats, and Keystone Safari’s conservation efforts.
- Photography Opportunities: The drive-through safari provides numerous opportunities for photography, so be sure to bring a camera to capture the memorable moments.
Seasonal Events and Special Attractions
Keystone offers a variety of seasonal events that add extra excitement to the visit. These events often highlight different themes and provide special experiences for guests:
- Fall Festivities: In the fall, Keystone hosts seasonal activities like pumpkin patches, hayrides, and autumn-themed decorations, making it a perfect destination for families during Halloween.
- Christmas at Keystone Safari: During the holiday season, the park is transformed with festive lights and decorations, creating a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
- Summer Safari Nights: During the summer, Keystone Safari stays open late on select evenings, offering live music, food trucks, and extended hours to explore the park under the stars.
Conservation Efforts at Keystone Safari
Keystone is committed to promoting wildlife conservation and education. The park participates in various conservation programs and works closely with animal welfare organizations to ensure the highest standards of care for its animals. By educating visitors about wildlife and the importance of habitat preservation, Keystone Safari encourages a greater understanding of conservation and inspires visitors to take an active role in protecting endangered species.
Dining and Amenities at Keystone Safari
Keystone Safari offers a variety of dining options and amenities to enhance the visitor experience:
- Snack Shacks: Located throughout the park, these stands offer quick snacks, ice cream, and beverages for visitors on the go.
- Picnic Areas: For those who prefer to bring their food, the park offers designated picnic areas where visitors can enjoy meals in a relaxed outdoor setting.
- Gift Shop: The gift shop at Keystone Safari features a wide range of souvenirs, including apparel, plush animals, and educational books, providing guests with a way to remember their visit.
Tips for Visiting Keystone
To make the most of your visit to Keystone Safari, keep these tips in mind:
- Arrive Early: Arriving early ensures you have ample time to explore the park and participate in interactive experiences.
- Bring Sun Protection: Many areas of the park are outdoors, so bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, especially during the summer months.
- Prepare for Weather: Keystone is an all-weather park, so check the forecast and bring rain gear if necessary.
- Consider an Annual Pass: For those who plan to visit more than once, an annual pass provides the best value, offering unlimited visits and discounts on experiences.
Keystone Safari Tickets and Pricing
Keystone Safari’s ticket prices vary based on age and the type of experience:
- General Admission: This ticket provides access to the walk-through animal exhibits and basic attractions.
- Safari Drive-Through Ticket: Separate from general admission, this ticket allows entry to the safari drive-through area.
- Combo Tickets: Keystone also offers combo tickets that include both general admission and the safari drive-through, making it a popular choice for first-time visitors.
- Discounted Tickets: The park offers discounts for seniors, children, and military personnel, along with group rates for large parties.
Educational Programs and School Tours
Safari provides unique educational opportunities for school groups and organizations. Guided tours and educational programs are available for children, offering a fun and interactive way to learn about animals, conservation, and the environment. Programs are tailored to different age groups, ensuring an engaging experience that aligns with educational goals.
Visitor Policies and Accessibility
Keystone Safari is committed to creating an accessible and welcoming experience for all guests. The park’s walk-through areas are wheelchair-accessible, and service animals are permitted. Additionally, Keystone emphasizes safety and requires visitors to remain in their vehicles during the drive-through safari. Following these guidelines helps ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Conclusion
Keystone Safari provides a remarkable blend of adventure, education, and conservation, making it a must-visit destination for families and animal enthusiasts in Pennsylvania. With its unique safari drive-through, interactive animal encounters, and seasonal events, the park offers a dynamic and engaging experience that goes beyond a traditional zoo. Whether you’re feeding giraffes
or enjoying the thrill of a drive-through safari, Keystone promises memorable encounters with wildlife and a deepened appreciation for animal conservation.
As one of Pennsylvania’s top wildlife attractions, Keystone offers an experience that combines learning and adventure in a beautiful natural setting. For visitors of all ages, the park’s blend of open habitats, engaging animal encounters, and hands-on educational programs makes it an ideal outing. With a commitment to animal welfare and conservation, Safari allows guests not only to connect with animals up close but also to support important efforts to protect wildlife and their habitats worldwide.
