Unearth The Voyage
Tucked along a bend in the Ocoee River in Benton, Tennessee, there is a farm where kangaroos hop around your feet and you can cradle a baby joey against your chest. It sounds like something you would drive across the country to find, yet it sits an easy weekend away from most of the state. Families come here to meet sloths, zebras, camels, and mini cows, then stay the night in covered wagons parked beside the water. The care that goes into the animals shows in every encounter, and the folks running it treat guests like old friends.
If you have ever wanted a wildlife adventure without leaving your own backyard, this little corner of East Tennessee delivers more than you would ever guess.
A Riverside Address Worth the Drive
The farm sits at 1087 Reynolds Bridge Rd in Benton, Tennessee, along a quiet stretch of the Ocoee River in the southeastern corner of the state. It rests far enough from the highway rush that first-time guests sometimes think their map has led them astray, when really it has just led them somewhere better.
That remote setting is half the appeal. The property lines the river on one side and opens onto rolling pastures on the other, so you might glimpse zebras grazing across the field before you even park.
Benton puts the farm within comfortable reach of Chattanooga, Cleveland, and plenty of towns just over the state lines. Guests have traveled from overseas to get here, but for most Tennessee residents it lands squarely in weekend-trip territory. The surrounding area keeps things low-key, with hometown spots like Ocoee Dam Deli and Diner nearby for those who want a bite off the farm. For a place with this many exotic animals, the address alone tells you the whole experience is going to feel refreshingly out of the ordinary.
How a Small Farm Became a Wildlife Haven
Run by John, Donna, and a tight-knit crew, the farm has grown into something far more ambitious than its name suggests. What started as riverside acreage now houses an unexpected collection of animals, from highland cows to spider monkeys, all tended by people who clearly love the work.
Passion runs through the whole operation. The guides who lead encounters are there because of genuine personal interest, each one specializing in the creatures they care about most, and that enthusiasm carries into every fun fact they share.
Many families notice the faith woven into the presentations, with Bible references appearing in the animal talks in a way that feels natural rather than forced. It gives the visit a personal, heartfelt quality that sets it apart from a standard petting zoo. Even on a difficult day, when the crew lost one of their beloved animals, they still pushed through scheduled encounters with warmth and professionalism. That kind of dedication has earned the farm a devoted following, and it is easy to understand why guests leave feeling they have supported people who truly pour themselves into what they do.
Hopping Alongside the Kangaroos
Kangaroos steal the show for many guests, and getting to hang out with them lands high on the list of reasons people make the trip. During the encounters, you stand right inside the pen while the animals bounce around you, and guides fill the time with facts that keep both kids and adults hooked.
There is something genuinely surreal about watching younger kangaroos get the zoomies, buzzing around the enclosure while you take it all in. Regulars mention that seeing them hop freely, rather than kept at a distance, is what makes the whole thing so memorable.
Adults fall for these animals just as hard as the little ones do. More than one guest has walked away declaring themselves officially in love with kangaroos and already planning a return trip to do it again. The encounter pairs beautifully with the general farm tour, and folks who add it on rarely regret the choice. Whether you arrive as a kangaroo skeptic or a lifelong fan, the up-close time tends to convert everyone into a believer by the time you step out of the pen.
Cradling a Baby Joey in Your Arms
Holding a baby kangaroo ranks among the most treasured moments guests take home from the farm. Cradling a tiny joey while the older kangaroos bounce nearby has a dreamlike quality that people describe as almost hard to believe while it is happening.
Families of every age get in on it. Grandparents have arrived with a lifelong wish to hold a baby kangaroo and left saying their dream finally came true, all while a three-year-old grandchild delighted in the same experience beside them.
The setting only heightens the magic. Picture a couple of enormous tortoises meandering across the ground while you snuggle a joey and teenage kangaroos race circles around the pen. It is the kind of scene that makes you forget you are still in Tennessee. Guests consistently point out how gentle and hands-on the whole thing feels, with staff guiding you through it patiently so nothing feels rushed.
For anyone chasing a once-in-a-lifetime memory, few things top the quiet thrill of a baby kangaroo settling into your arms.
Sloth Encounters That Steal Hearts
Sloths have their own loyal fan club here, and the farm keeps three two-toed sloths, including a beloved baby named Chloe. Booking a sloth keeper experience has become the whole reason some couples plan a trip, and it rarely disappoints.
The encounters run gentle and unhurried. Guests get to cuddle Chloe while John or one of the handlers shares facts about how these slow-moving creatures live, turning a snuggle into a genuine lesson.
You can tell the animals are cherished. People walk away remarking on how obviously well cared for the sloths are and how much the handlers clearly adore them. Some guests even book an evening cuddle right in their cabin, rocking a sleepy sloth as the day winds down. Whether you consider yourself a devoted sloth lover or simply curious about the internet’s favorite laid-back animal, the experience delivers a soft, unforgettable moment.
It has a way of making even quick visits feel personal, and plenty of people leave already scheming about when they can come back for round two.
An Unexpected Cast of Exotic Animals
Beyond the headliners, the farm brims with creatures you would never expect to meet in rural Tennessee. Zebras, camels, donkeys, and llamas share the grounds, and stepping outside your lodging to spot them is a regular part of the stay.
The variety runs deep. Guests have met sugar gliders, micro squirrels, fennec foxes, spider monkeys, mini cows, highland cows, giant tortoises, goats, sheep, and reptiles, often all in a single visit.
What makes it special is how hands-on it gets. Many animals free-range across the pastures and will wander right up to be petted, even if you have not booked a scheduled encounter with them. Folks who have done wildlife experiences elsewhere say the level of contact here rivals anything they have found for a thousand miles in any direction. Camel kisses have surprised more than a few first-timers, and the goats and sheep hold their own charm too.
The sheer range means everyone in a group, from a ten-year-old to someone past sixty, ends up finding an animal that becomes their personal favorite.
Sleeping in a Covered Wagon by the River
Overnight guests can bed down in covered wagons parked along the property, and the experience turns a day trip into a genuine getaway. Names like the Welcome Wagon and the Chuck Wagon hint at the frontier spirit, but the comforts inside are thoroughly modern.
Every detail gets attention. The wagons come with individual bathrooms, and one shower room reportedly spares no expense, featuring a Bluetooth speaker exhaust fan, a ceiling heat lamp, and a walk-in shower to keep you warm.
Cleanliness clearly matters to the owners, who use all-natural cleaning products throughout the lodging. Guests mention how fresh and spotless everything feels, which adds to the sense that the whole place is run with real care. Waking up to the sight of zebras frolicking across the pasture on one side and the river just feet away on the other is not something most hotels can offer. Many describe the wagon stay as unlike any glamping they have tried before, and it consistently exceeds what people picture when they book.
For a night that feels both rustic and refined, the wagons are hard to beat.
Cabins and Suites With a View
Wagons are not the only way to stay the night. The farm also offers the Riverside Cabin and creative themed suites, including a Sloth suite loaded with hidden rooms and tunnels that turn lodging into an adventure of its own.
The Sloth suite even overlooks the sloths and other animals below, so the wildlife stays part of the experience long after the encounters wrap up. It is the sort of place where a group of seven, ranging from age ten to over sixty, can each find something to love.
The Riverside Cabin leans into self-sufficiency. Guests have fished the river right behind the cabin in the mornings and evenings, then used the fully equipped kitchen to prepare their own meals without ever eating out or climbing back in the truck. One family spent an entire trip that way, wandering the farm by day and cooking in by night. Between the peaceful setting and the thoughtful amenities, the cabins and suites give visitors a reason to slow down and settle in.
They also make the farm work for longer stays, not just quick pop-in visits.
Guides Who Turn Facts Into Fun
The people leading the tours make a lasting impression, and guests rattle off their names like they are recalling friends. Michael, Emma, Nathan, Fallon, Mikayla, Piper, and McKenzie all earn praise for their patience, kindness, and deep knowledge of the animals.
Their gift is making learning feel effortless. They answer every question, keep children engaged, and pack their talks with fun facts that entertain grown-ups just as much as the kids in the group.
That skill shows up in the little touches. A guide might guide a young rider on horseback, chatting and laughing the whole way, or gently coach a nervous child through meeting a reptile for the first time. Because each staffer specializes in a particular animal, you get a real expert every time, not a rehearsed script. Guests routinely single out individual guides for going above and beyond, whether it is making a birthday feel special or ensuring a shy kid has a blast.
The animals may draw people in, but it is the crew that turns a good outing into the kind of day families talk about long after they have driven home.
A Peaceful Retreat Built for Families
Calm settles over the whole property, and that unhurried mood is a big part of why people keep coming back. Set away from the busy pace most families are used to, the farm invites you to slow down and reconnect with nature.
Evenings lend themselves to lingering. Guests gather around fire pits stocked with utensils for hot dogs and s’mores, listening to the occasional sounds of both wild animals and the farm’s own residents drifting through the quiet.
The atmosphere works for just about any group. A field trip full of schoolkids, a surprise birthday for a cousin, a romantic Valentine’s weekend for two, or three generations traveling together all find their footing here. Parents appreciate how family and kid friendly everything stays, while the animal care ethic reassures guests that nothing is ever forced to perform. It reads as both restful and exciting at once, a rare combination that lets grandparents relax while grandchildren buzz with delight.
For families hunting an affordable escape that feels a world away without a long haul, the farm delivers a retreat that sticks in the memory.
Planning Your Visit and Booking Encounters
Getting the most out of the farm takes a little planning, since the encounters and lodging book through the website at ocoeeriversidefarm.com. Many guests first discovered the place on TikTok or Facebook, then set up their trips online, mixing and matching experiences to fit their group.
The options stack nicely. People often build a day around the farm tour and add on favorites like the kangaroo experience, sloth cuddle, monkey encounter, mini moo, fennec fox, horseback riding, or pony rides.
A few practical notes help. The remote location can make the website feel finicky at first, but that isolation is exactly what gives the farm its peaceful charm, so it pays to be patient. Overnight guests can preorder firewood for their wagon’s fire pit, and cabin stays include full kitchens if you would rather cook than dine out. Prices are described as very affordable, which makes it easy to justify adding an extra encounter or two.
Whether you come for a single day or a whole weekend, the guidance from regulars is simple and consistent: do not skip the farm tour, and stay overnight if you possibly can for even more hands-on time.
Why This Hidden Gem Belongs on Your List
Few places manage to feel this exotic while sitting so close to home, and that is exactly what makes the farm such a standout. Guests routinely call it a hidden gem and the best farm experience they have ever had, then start planning their return before they have even left.
The pull is easy to explain. You get genuinely hands-on time with animals, cared for above and beyond what is required, led by people whose passion shines through every encounter.
It rewards the kind of traveler who takes pride in discovering something under the radar rather than checking off the usual tourist stops. Families return, bring friends, and spread the word, and the warm response from the owners after each visit only deepens that loyalty. Coming here delivers memories that stick, whether it is a baby joey in your arms, a sloth dozing against your shoulder, or a zebra grazing outside your wagon at dawn. For Tennessee residents and near-state road-trippers craving an affordable escape that feels far grander than the drive, this riverside farm makes a compelling case to load up the car and go.
