Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
4.8(3.6K)google
4.6(105)yelp
Nature
Overview
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR) is a 459-acre (186 ha) wildlife refuge for abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats. The Eureka Springs, Arkansas, refuge houses 100 or more animals. The sanctuary primarily focuses on the care of tigers, but it also provides a home for a diverse range of other animals including lions, hybrids like ligers, cougars, servals, bobcats, bears, jaguars, leopards, hyenas, and caracals.
Practical Info
Mon8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeBest visited during the warmer months (May to October), with the absolute peak hour being strictly 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. As a world-renowned non-profit refuge for rescued big cats, their signature 4:00 PM public feeding time catches the African lions and Bengal tigers at their highest energy levels, triggering roaring waves.
Getting ThereSecluded south of Eureka Springs at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane. Car transit is mandatory due to its remote Ozark valley mountain grades: from downtown, follow AR-23 S south for roughly 7 miles, and turn right following the large tiger billboards straight into their open, free rustic gravel parking field.
Travel Tips
- To accommodate late-afternoon apex predator feeding blocks, the front ticket gates shut firmly exactly 1 hour prior to total park closing. Arriving even minutes after this cut-off ensures total denial of entry without refund, regardless of pre-purchased status.
- Due to strict bio-security and trauma triggers for rescued big cats, external domestic pets are entirely banned from the property. Leaving animals confined inside parked cars will prompt emergency responders to break windows and charge owners with animal cruelty.
- The gravel perimeter trails completely lack heavy structural canopy shading against sudden convective storms. If severe lightning strikes flash within safety radar radius, staff will immediately evacuate all outdoor viewing dirt trails into the central gift pavilion.
Reviews
Positive
- A genuine non-profit rescue sanctuary for abused big cats rather than a commercial zoo; the staff's passion and love for the lions and tigers is deeply moving.
- The enclosures are massive, giving the animals plenty of grass and toys to enjoy; the facility is impeccably clean with minimal animal odor.
- Highly recommend taking the guided tour; the passionate tour guides know every single cat's name and rescue backstory, making it highly educational.
- Every dollar from admission goes straight into animal feed and medical care, and the gift shop pricing is incredibly reasonable with zero price-gouging.
Heads up
- Because it prioritizes animal welfare, enclosures feature private retreat areas; if a tiger is napping deeply, you might see very little of it.
- The outdoor walking paths are heavily exposed to direct sunlight with minimal shaded awnings, making the full loop grueling in peak summer heat.
- Admission fees are significantly higher than standard municipal zoos, which can add up to a heavy financial expense for large families.
- The location is somewhat remote, requiring a drive down winding hilly country roads outside Eureka Springs that lack overhead streetlights at night.