Policies

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You must be 21 years of age (valid state-issued driver's license with photo or state-issued identification card with photo required by state law) to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages at The Wilds.

The Ohio Revised Code (Ohio code number 4301.62) prohibits bringing beer, wine or intoxicating liquor on property, including picnic shelters, or leaving the park with alcohol purchased here.

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The Wilds may elect to close certain areas or attractions due to mechanical issues, health concerns, weather hazards or other safety conditions and will re-open as soon as safely possible.  

ATVs or similar motorized vehicles are not permitted on The Wilds' property.

In order to be eligible for refund and accrue no rescheduling fees, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance of reservation.  Cancellations made within 14 days of reservation will not receive a refund.  

Additional rescheduling fees of $15 for tours and $50 for lodging will be applied to reservations requiring rescheduling within 14 days of the scheduled visit.

Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time so your group may check in, be greeted by our staff, and use the restrooms prior to the tour. All group leaders must stop at the parking booth before proceeding to Johnson Visitor Center for check in. 

Disrespectful behavior, such as vulgarity, loitering, intoxication, line jumping, theft, and all other actions that negatively impact our guests will not be tolerated and may result in ejection from the park without a refund. 

The Wilds reserves the right to deny admission or cancel any membership if the bearer violates park safety and security rules or if the bearer has been convicted of any crime of a type that could pose a threat to the safety of our guests, including without limitation, any sex crime, or if the bearer is required to be registered as a sex offender (or words of similar import) in any jurisdiction.

VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express are accepted for park admission, the gift shop, and select food stands.

We recommend comfortable footwear and casual clothing (dress for the weather), as there will be some walking.

Fireworks are not permitted on The Wilds property.

Please ask employees for assistance.

Guests may bring outside food & beverage to The Wilds (no glass, straws, alcohol, are permitted). Guests may NOT eat while on a tour vehicle, but they MAY bring a small cooler on the tour vehicle to eat/drink while at the Carnivore Center stop.

Hunting and swimming is prohibited on The Wilds property. Fishing is permitted but only with a reservation of a Fishing Safari.

If your group is delayed in transit and expects to be more than 15 minutes late, please contact the Wilds immediately. PLEASE NOTE: Groups arriving after their scheduled tour time will be accommodated as staffing allows and charged a $50.00 late fee. 

For the safety of our guests, animals and employees laser pointers are prohibited on The Wilds property unless used inside an event facility for meeting purposes. 

Please report lost children or persons in your group to any staff member or volunteer. We will respond and initiate protocols. If you are separated from your child, experience has shown most are found in the same area where the child was lost in minutes. 

Minors under the age of 16 years must be accompanied on Wilds tours by an adult.

The Wilds is a smoke-free facility and is dedicated to the health and safety of the animals in our care, guests and employees. This policy includes all use of smoking products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes as well as alternative smoking devices including e-cigarettes, on The Wilds’ property with exception for designated areas for overnight guests. Smoking is not allowed in any lodging accommodations. 

Campers, RVs, and busses must be parked in the main parking lot at the bottom of the hill and are not eligible for premium parking. 

Pre-payment required for all groups.

No pets are allowed anywhere on The Wilds property. Guests are not permitted to leave their pets in their vehicles in the visitor parking lot.  Information on service animals can be found below.

You are welcome to take photos and/or video for personal use only; commercial photography requires written permission from the Columbus Zoo's community relations department. On occasion, we will photograph or take videos of visitors for educational or promotional purposes. Guest entry to The Wilds grants permission for the use of these images. 

When taking photos/videos, guests are not permitted to cross barriers or use devices, such as monopods or tripods, to do so. 

Weather at The Wilds can sometimes be extreme; however, we cannot refund admission due to weather or road conditions. No refunds will be given for cancelations, late arrival, or early departure due to weather. 

For your safety, the following items are not permitted at The Wilds:

• Firearms or any other type of weapon
• Glass containers
• Balloons
• Bicycles
• Skateboards and other skating equipment
• Large beach umbrellas
• Lounge chairs
• Radios
• Rafts and floatation devices
• Grills or open fires outside of designated fire pit areas

Visitors with service animals are welcome at The Wilds; please contact us to make arrangements. Service animals are not permitted on behind-the-scenes tours due to the location within animal habitats and the disruptions external animals can cause. Please call 740-638-5030 for further information.

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Large strollers and coolers are not permitted on tour vehicles. Open-Air Safaris are held rain or shine; please dress appropriately. All visitor areas are ADA compliant. 

For the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals, the launching and/or operation of a UAS (drone) from or above our properties is strictly prohibited.

On occasion, our internal team does operate a UAS (drone). This operation is in strict accordance with FAA guidelines, and the operator is in constant communication with team members to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and animals.

The Wilds, Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club are all No Weapon facilities. No firearms, knives, or other weapons are permitted on The Wilds property.

All tours proceed rain or shine; please dress appropriately.