The Wilds
4.8(4.1K)google
4.3(129)yelp
OutdoorWildlife Watching
Overview
Outer Wilds is a 2019 action-adventure game developed by Mobius Digital and published by Annapurna Interactive. The game follows the player character as they explore a planetary system stuck in a 22-minute time loop that resets after the sun goes supernova and destroys the system. Through repeated attempts, they investigate the alien ruins of the Nomai to discover their history and the cause of the time loop.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration4-8 hours
Best TimeStrictly seasonal, operating open-air conservation gates from May through October across 9,000 acres. Booking an official Open-Air Safari Tour online for a crisp morning departure at 9:00 AM is highly recommended; early daylight captures rare white rhinos and wild camels roaming the open grasslands when the animals are highly energetic before peak afternoon sun heat.
Getting ThereTucked inside an isolated rural mining reclamation pocket southwest of Cumberland, OHI, at 14000 International Rd. Rideshares are completely non-existent here; driving is mandatory. From Columbus, take I-70 E east for 1.5 hours to exit 169 for OH-83 S, travel south through the hills, and follow the big green signs onto International Rd leading to the free lots.
Travel Tips
- Spanning 9,000 remote wilderness acres, the conservation venue suffers absolute cellular blackouts. Download offline mapping matrices before drifting off major state routes.
- Open-Air Safari excursions sell out weeks prior. Severe open-country electrical thunderstorms trigger immediate ride suspensions without automatic cash refunds.
- Personal pets and external animal feed are strictly banned. Aerial drones are blocked under conservation law; violations incur massive wildlife protection fines.
Reviews
Positive
- Not a basic zoo, but a mind-blowing 10,000-acre conservation park! Riding open-air safaris alongside rhinos and giraffes feels like Africa.
- The drivers double as credentialed conservationists; their presentations are deep, encompassing, and full of passion for endangered species.
- The scenery preserves raw, original southeastern Ohio rolling ridges and grasslands; the air is fresh, and tourist density is refreshingly low.
- Offers highly unique luxury yurt lodging options; spending the night stargazing under zero light pollution with distant animal sounds is magical.
Heads up
- The geography is isolated, tucked in the deep wilderness of Cumberland with zero transit links; driving from major hubs takes 1-2 hours.
- Exploration depends entirely on official open-air bus or truck packages; tour pricing is steep, especially for premium custom trucks.
- Because animals free-roam vast pastures, sudden scorching sun drives them miles out into deep ravines, limiting close-up views.
- The off-road tour tracks are intensely bumpy, and open-air seating means heavy sun exposure in summer or biting wind in autumn.