When the Shenandoah Valley thaws, the urge to maneuver comes with it. In Pure Bridge, one thing even wilder returns.
On March 7, the Virginia Safari Park opens its gates for the 2026 season—inviting spring adventurers to commerce predictable highway journeys for one thing far much less extraordinary.
Situated simply off I-81 at Exit 180/180B, the Virginia Safari Park is the state’s solely drive-thru safari. Set throughout 180 rolling acres, the park spans three miles of open pasture the place greater than 1,000 animals roam freely.
Gravel crunches beneath your tires. A herd of elk lifts its antlers within the distance. An ostrich strides confidently towards your automobile. Roll down your window, prolong a bucket of feed, and all of the sudden a bison is inches away, calmly consuming from the bucket.
It’s immersive. It’s hands-on. It’s the form of Spring Break reminiscence that beats one other day indoors. For households mapping out March journey plans, opening weekend arrives proper on cue.
Weekend wagon rides provide a guided safari choice, including storytelling and deeper perception alongside the route. However whether or not you’re behind the wheel or driving alongside, each bend within the highway brings one thing sudden.
The Most Surprising Outside Expertise in Virginia
Virginia is thought for climbing trails, paddling routes, and mountain overlooks—however a safari within the Shenandoah Valley?
That’s what makes this place unforgettable.
After the drive, park the automotive and discover the 10-acre Safari Village, a walk-through space that brings you even nearer to wildlife from across the globe. On the Giraffe Tower, stand eye-to-eye with a few of the tallest animals on Earth as they gracefully pluck romaine out of your palm. Within the free-flight budgie aviary, colourful parakeets flutter overhead, then settle delicately onto the feeding sticks you maintain aloft.
Stroll via the kangaroo walk-about because the ‘roos hop freely close by. Tigers, primates, penguins, and farmyard favorites spherical out an expertise that blends out of doors exploration with uncommon, up-close encounters.
One of many park’s most extraordinary highlights is discovered nowhere else within the nation. Virginia Safari Park is the one place in the US the place you may see the uncommon king cheetah. Recognized for its daring, blotchy coat sample brought on by a naturally occurring genetic variation, the king cheetah was as soon as believed to be its personal subspecies. Right here, you may evaluate these putting cats side-by-side with their noticed counterparts—an expertise hardly ever seen even within the wild.
For these seeking to go deeper, scheduled animal encounters present supervised, behind-the-scenes moments with African penguins, two-toed sloths, and southern white rhinos—hands-on experiences designed not only for thrills, however to encourage training and conservation consciousness.
The place Wildlife Roams and Curiosity Runs Free
At its coronary heart, Virginia Safari Park is about connection—to animals, to the outside, and to the spirit of journey that defines springtime within the Blue Ridge.
The park earned a High 10 end within the 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Reader’s Selection Awards for Greatest Safari Park, a recognition pushed completely by public votes. It has as soon as once more been nominated for the 2026 award.
Extra importantly, each go to helps international wildlife conservation efforts. By means of captive breeding packages, habitat preservation initiatives, and public training, the park helps shield endangered species each regionally and overseas. A Spring Break outing right here does greater than create household reminiscences—it helps maintain significant conservation work.
The park opens March 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the final automobile exiting by 5 p.m. Tickets are $28.95 for adults, $21.95 for kids, and $26.95 for seniors.
Earlier than heading again onto the freeway, cease by the Safari Buying and selling Publish for plush keepsakes, safari gear, and conservation-themed presents—a closing reminder of a day spent exploring the sudden.
This spring, skip the extraordinary. Load up the automotive, roll down the home windows, and set your course for Pure Bridge.
The gates are opening. The wild is ready simply past your windshield.
Plan your go to at www.virginiasafaripark.com.
