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December 2023 by Tracy and Bill Butler
This place was amazing. We took our two young grandchildren 1 and 2. They lived seeing the cats and bears. We could tell how passionate all the care takes were about the lives of every animal there! I would highly recommend all to visit and support this place!!! While on the tour the guide was very knowledgeable and made sure that the kids could see and we could get nice pictures of these beautiful animals! The animals pasts are very sad but with the best outcome possible thanks to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge!!!Restrooms: They had clean restrooms with a changing table.
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November 2023 by Molly J C
Our family absolutely love coming here. The interpreters are always super friendly and knowledgeable. Our room is always clean. We always spend the night and take two (free) tours while we stay.We like the 4pm tour because it's the last tour of the day and the cats seem more active. We've also noticed more activity at the 9am tour as well. The tours generally last about 45 minutes. There is also plenty to see on foot after the tour is over, as well as a gift shop.We stay in the Tree House and it is very unique. The kids love climbing a ladder to their loft beds. The loft is tall enough for an adult to stand up in (at least in the center). The beds are just mattresses on the floor but the kids say they're quite comfortable.The queen bed downstairs isn't my favorite, I have to admit. When two people are in the bed it seems to make you gravitate towards the middle. However, opening the windows and being able to hear lions caroling nearby makes up for it.The room comes quite well stocked. They provide breakfast items, a microwave, plenty of coffee, tea, an extra fan, TV with a few channels, plates and cups, plastic cutlery, paper towels, and even a wine bottle opener.I must also mention the bathroom. There isn't much of one to speak of. It does come well stocked with a hairdryer, plenty of soap and shampoo, and makeup removers... but it is very, very small. Very. Small.The private deck in back is very nice. There is a table with four chairs and it's a perfect place to spend the evening if the weather is nice.All in all, if you are a cat person, I thoroughly recommend Turpentine Creek. It's an experience you'll remember.
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November 2023 by Megan Daymon
I love the tour with the safari guide talking about where their cats are from and how they have their animals neutered to stop them from further population and allowing them to live peacefully the remainder of their life at resort. Rare sight and all profits go back to current animals on hand and helping rescue more.
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October 2023 by Doug Polmanter
Great place to take the family to see and learn about these magnificent animals. The staff and tour guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. Best of all its a non-profit, all proceeds go back to the animals they help at the sanctuary.
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October 2023 by Megan Pope Whitehead
This sanctuary truly cares about the animals and what's best for them. They animals look healthy, habitats are large and clean, and they put the animals needs first and foremost.
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August 2023 by C. T.
What an amazing place with an incredible mission. Be sure to book a tour in advance, though we were able to call and reschedule ours a few hours later on the same day just fine due to a sudden conflict. On the tour, they will tell you all about the animals that they rescue, their background, personality, and more. Some of the big cats have a very sad story and it’s amazing that this sanctuary rescued them and gave them a second life here.During a tour, some animals will simply be resting away from your view area and you might not see them, but that is normal just like any zoo. Several big cats like to come walk up close as well. They are all behind massive fences, so there is no danger of them getting too close. Our tour was an absolutely incredible experience.They also have an amazing gift shop with a plethora of gifts and souvenirs. It’s another great way to support their cause and we purchased a few items there as well.
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August 2023 by Marcy Skerjanec
I had not been in a few years. I took my 10 year old grandson this time. We both had a wonderful time there. It was wonderful seeing just how far it had become with all the exhibits and enclosures. The staff is so friendly and well educated.Restrooms: We're very clean
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August 2023 by Travis C.
What an amazing place with an incredible mission. Be sure to book a tour in advance, though we were able to call and reschedule ours a few hours later on the same day just fine due to a sudden conflict. On the tour, they will tell you all about the animals that they rescue, their background, personality, and more. Some of the big cats have a very sad story and it’s amazing that this sanctuary rescued them and gave them a second life here.During a tour, some animals will simply be resting away from your view area and you might not see them, but that is normal just like any zoo. Several big cats like to come walk up close as well. They are all behind massive fences, so there is no danger of them getting too close. Our tour was an absolutely incredible experience.They also have an amazing gift shop with a plethora of gifts and souvenirs. It’s another great way to support their cause and we purchased a few items there as well.
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July 2023 by Darcie Blackerby
We went during the hottest part of the day and a lot of the animals were inside their shelters. We still had fun and their were still plenty of others to see. The tour guide was very knowledge, especially for an intern so I enjoyed the tour a lot.
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July 2023 by Lynn M.
This was a last-minute stop for us. It was a good decision. We went the morning after a storm. There were a lot of animals out and about. The animals are beautiful. The tram tour was so interesting and informative. I was very surprised at how many people think it is a good idea to have a big cat as a pet. We enjoyed ourselves. Everyone was friendly and willing to answer any and all questions.I would love to do a behind the scene tour. Maybe next time.They have a nice gift shop.The public restroom was very clean.
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July 2023 by E W
I had an amazing time here. We stayed in one of the lodges. It was super cute and spacious enough to enjoy hanging out in when we were not on the tour or out and about. Everything was very clean and felt welcoming as soon as we walked in.The tours were wonderful. We got two tours per person included with our stay. We took the last tour of the day on the day that we arrived. We got off the tour in time to see them feeding some of the animals in the discovery area, which was so cool. The next morning we took the first tour of the day and got to see them doing some of the behavioral work with the animals and that was really amazing to see. We heard the lions caroling every morning and evening that we were there, which was something that I had been looking forward to.Everyone who worked there was really friendly, and seemed to genuinely enjoy being there. The tour was very informative and it really sheds light on what these animals have been through before finding their forever homes. The animal areas were very clean and the animals seemed relaxed and happy.I could not be more supportive and thankful that this place and more like it exist. Remember to do your research before visiting sanctuaries, as not all of them are like Turpentine Creek, which is a true and accredited sanctuary. I will definitely be returning in the future, and Turpentine Creek will now be on my annual donation list. Thank you for all that you do for these incredible animals, and for the education that you provide to people about them.
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July 2023 by rid char
Amazing place for a great cause. I have gone here two times now and both experiences were amazing. The second time I stayed in a bungalow on the property to be close to the cats. Super clean and cute on the inside. The tour of the place is great, you take a tram around the place and the tour guide tells you about each animal! Warning, the stories are sad but they are all safe and well taken care of now! This is a non profit organization that you can tell truly cares about these beautiful cats. They also have bears! They also have wheelchair accessible ramps and mounts for the tram ride!Restrooms: They got public bathrooms!Dog-friendliness: NO DOGS ALLOWED
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June 2023 by Lis Adrienne
This place was amazing! Stayed in the Siberian Room, with glass windows looking out into an enclosure with 2 large tigers! Just beautiful! Took a tram tour around the Sanctuary to see many more rescued tigers, ligers, Servals, lions, & bears. What a great learning experience. These beautiful creatures are all rescues, and all now living a wonderful life. The folks who work, ontern, and volunteer here are ALL kind, compassionate, and willing to talk about all the animals. I'm going to be an ongoing supporter of the work they do. Will definitely visit again!Restrooms: Our room had a private restroom. There are also restrooms on grounds.Dog-friendliness: We saw someone walking their large dog along the dirt road near an enclosure. The tiger was quite excited by the dog...like maybe they wanted dinner!
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May 2023 by Angelique Turner
Great place doing wonderful work. Love seeing all of the animals and hearing their stories. Can do a tram ride as well as a walking hour. They have added on a lot over the years. Even have lodging there now if that is something you want to do. Great for big groups. Would recommend if coming to the area.
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April 2023 by Kristin V.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a unique and worthwhile attraction for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts. It was not our first choice but the other attractions we wanted to visit were closed. Well, we lucked out. The refuge was a wonderful surprise. The refuge is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a safe and caring home for big cats and other wildlife that have been rescued from captivity.The refuge is well-maintained and the animals are well-cared for, with spacious habitats that allow them to live in a natural and comfortable environment. Visitors are able to take a self-guided tour of the refuge, which includes an informative audio guide that provides fascinating facts about the animals and their stories. Did you know that a puma meows like a house cat? You may get a chance to hear it during your visit!The staff at Turpentine Creek is knowledgeable and friendly, and they are happy to answer any questions that visitors may have. It is a must-visit destination for animal lovers who are in the area and interested in animal welfare and conservation.
