Looking for a fun family weekend trip near New Jersey? We recently visited Claws N Paws Wild Animal Park in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania with our 3-year-old son, and it turned out to be a wonderful outdoor adventure. If you’re wondering whether this animal park is worth visiting with young children, here’s our honest review and everything you should know before you go.

Claws N Paws Wild Animal Park Location & Driving Time from New Jersey

Claws N Paws Wild Animal Park is located in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, making it a great destination for families looking for a weekend getaway from New Jersey or New York.

The drive was easy, and the scenery became more beautiful as we entered the Pocono Mountains. It felt like a relaxing escape from the busy city.

We stayed at an Airbnb in The Hideout, and it took us about 2 hours to get back to New Jersey.

Claws N Paws Tickets, Parking

When you enter the entrance, there are parking lots on both the right and left sides. On the left side, there is more parking space further inside. Parking is free.

Please check the official website for the hours of operation and ticket prices.

https://clawsnpaws.com/wild-animal-park-tickets

After purchasing the tickets, they put a cute stamp on the back of your hand and provide you with a map.

When buying tickets, I recommend purchasing the animal feeding tickets in advance, including the goat and deer feeding tickets, as well as the turtle feeding ticket. It’s much more convenient to get everything at once.

One thing to note: the goat, deer, and turtle food tickets can only be purchased with cash ($5) inside the park. We had to walk back to the entrance and pay by card, which was a little inconvenient.

When my son was two years old, he was a little scared of feeding the animals. But now that he is three, he was so excited and wanted to do everything himself.

Smart moms, learn from my experience and save yourself the extra trip — I highly recommend buying the feeding tickets ahead of time!😄💦

Animals at Claws N Paws: Giraffes, Tigers, Chimpanzees & More

After meeting the colorful parrots near the entrance, the giraffes are the next highlight.

Have I ever seen a giraffe this close before? It was such an amazing experience. My son was fascinated and couldn’t take his eyes off them.

There is a separate time when visitors can pet the giraffes, but the line gets incredibly long. Since we arrived early, we had the chance to join, but we were a little scared, so we ended up just watching from nearby. 😅

We also got to see a magnificent tiger up close.

We were lucky to catch their feeding time — it was such a fun experience!

The leopards were enjoying a nap, and we noticed that many of the animals were resting as well.

Along the Alligator Trail, you can see chimpanzees, alligators, capybaras, and more.

The chimpanzees were the highlight of this area. Their loud calls were so fascinating to hear. A staff member mentioned that some of the chimpanzees are separated for their safety because they don’t always get along well, even though they are family.

Fun fossil hunt time!

Kids can dig through the sand to find hidden fossils. My son and the other kids were so excited and busy searching that they completely lost track of time. 🦕

The picnic area is spacious with plenty of tables and seating available, so you don’t have to worry about finding a spot.

I noticed that many kids were enjoying pretzels, but lots of moms had also packed their own snacks. I highly recommend bringing your own food and snacks for the kids — it definitely makes the visit more enjoyable!

Conveniently, there are also restrooms available near the picnic area.

The highlight of our visit!

Feeding the goats and deer was definitely the most exciting part of the day. As I mentioned earlier, the animal feeding tickets are cash only at the feeding area, so we had to walk all the way back to the entrance and pay by card. 😅

I honestly didn’t expect my son to be this excited about feeding the animals!

As soon as we started feeding them, the goats and deer inside the enclosure came rushing over with their cups. I was a little nervous that they might accidentally nibble on our hands (but don’t worry, they didn’t! 😊).

If you place the food on your palm, the goats and deer gently eat it. But we were a little scared, so we kept dropping the food on the ground instead.

The funniest thing was that they wouldn’t eat the food from the ground — they kept coming back and reaching for the cup again. 😂

Once the food was gone, the goats had no more interest in us. 😂

Is Claws N Paws Stroller Friendly for Toddlers?

I noticed many families bringing strollers during their visit.

Because the zoo is located in a mountain area, I thought navigating with a stroller might be difficult. However, it was more manageable than expected. There are some inclines, but the paths are not overly steep, so you can comfortably bring a stroller.

Is Claws N Paws Worth Visiting?

Yes!

If you’re looking for a relaxing family day trip from New Jersey, we think Claws N Paws Wild Animal Park is a great choice.

It’s especially enjoyable for families with toddlers and young children who love animals but may not be ready for a full-day visit to a much larger zoo.

We appreciated the peaceful atmosphere, friendly environment, and the chance to spend quality family time outdoors.

We would definitely consider visiting again.

📌 Things to Know Before Visiting Claws N Paws Wild Animal Park

• Comfortable walking shoes (Lots of walking involved!)
• Water and snacks for the family
• Cash (Required/recommended for animal feeding areas)

• Arrive early for popular attractions like giraffe encounters
• Buy feeding tickets early upon arrival
• Plan for 4–5 hours to enjoy the park at a relaxed pace

Our Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.8/5

Pros

• Great for toddlers
• Easy day trip from New Jersey
• Variety of animals
• Beautiful Pocono location
• Family-friendly atmosphere

Cons

• The trails are a bit uneven and rocky
• Weather can affect your visit

Would We Visit Again?

Absolutely! This was such a memorable little adventure with my toddler. I love finding hidden gems around New Jersey where families can spend quality time together and create special memories.

We spent about 3 hours here, but it honestly felt a little short. If you have enough time, I recommend planning for 4–5 hours so you can explore at a relaxed pace and fully enjoy everything this place has to offer.

A few tips from a mom who has been there: wear comfortable sneakers, bring water, and give yourself enough time to explore without rushing.

We can’t wait to discover more family-friendly places around NJ and share our next adventure with you!