Visit Georgia’s Yellow River Game Ranch

The Yellow River Game Ranch is a 24 acre animal preserve that is home to more than 600 animals and birds. The preserve is located in Snellville, an eastern suburb in the Atlanta metro area. The animals in the preserve are indigenous to the state of Georgia, and many came to the facility as injured or rescued animals. Yellow River Game Ranch is a wonderful place for young children to interact with animals.

To better enjoy their experience, visitors should plan to feed the animals. As visitors pass through the entrance gates, they are often greeted by deer that are waiting to be fed. The gift shop sells food for the animals, or visitors are free to bring their own. Many of the animals prefer carrots and other vegetables, apples, peanuts, crackers, and Cheerios. No breads or marshmallows are allowed. Visitors are free to wander down the one mile wooded path to see the animals, many of which may be fed and petted. A few of the animals are on restricted diets and cannot be fed. Deer and goats will come right up to visitors to eat out of their hands. Most of the animals tend to be more active and hungrier in the morning, making for a better visiting experience.

A variety of birds and animals reside in the Yellow River Game Ranch including sheep, goats, white-tailed deer, rabbits, coyotes, black bears, a cougar, ducks, peacocks, and roosters. The preserve has one of the largest herds of buffalo east of the Mississippi River grazing in its meadow. An overhead catwalk affords visitors a great view of the cougar. The bunny burrows are a very popular exhibit with children. There are usually lots of bunnies for the children to feed and pet. There are lots of baby animals to see in the spring and summer.

Yellow River Game Ranch is the home of the South’s most famous groundhog. General Beauregard Lee garners much media attention every year on Groundhog Day. Crowds gather before dawn to witness whether “Beau” will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter.

The Yellow River Game Ranch is located 2½ miles east of Stone Mountain at 4525 Highway 78 in Lilburn. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 10am-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. Ticket sales end one hour before closing time. Ticket prices are very reasonable. Admission is $8 for ages 12 and older and $7 for children ages 2-11 years. Children under the age of 2 are admitted free. Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic, or they may purchase snacks and beverages in the gift shop.

By: Pamela Haney

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Pamela Haney is the Director of Sales for The Holiday Inn Express Perimeter Hotel & Suites. The Holiday Inn Express® Hotel & Suites Atlanta North-Perimeter/Dunwoody is directly off Georgia 400 and I-285. With the hotel’s courteous staff, reasonable rates, and terrific amenities, this Atlanta Perimeter hotel is the place to "Stay Smart" in the Perimeter Center area. For more information visit: www.PERIMETERHOTEL.COM