The Wilds
The Wilds is a private, non-profit safari park and conservation center located in southeastern Muskingum County, Ohio, just west of Cumberland, under the authority of the Columbus Zoo.
A zoo & aquarium inside Meigs Township
Perry Township is the nearest base
Perry Township is 12 miles northwest, with 7 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
A day trip from Columbus
Columbus is about 67 miles west (straight-line). Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep and Oct
May, June, July, August, September and October are the mild months, with highs of 65–84°. When to go ↓
Established in 1994
The Wilds dates from 1994. About ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Typical highs and lows in Meigs Township. Green months are the mild ones.
The Wilds
The Wilds is a private, non-profit safari park and conservation center located in southeastern Muskingum County, Ohio, just west of Cumberland, under the authority of the Columbus Zoo. The park combines conservation science and education programs, and also offers visitors leisure activities such as ziplining, horseback riding(cancelled 2026, by seasons end) fishing, Recreational and primitive camping (at Hellbender Campground.). The property encompasses 37.04 km2 (14.30 sq mi) of reclaimed coal mine land and includes 8.1 km2 (3.1 sq mi) of pastures and a 27-acre (11 ha) Carnivore Conservation Center. The Wilds is designated an Audubon Important Bird Area so the property includes a birding station with covered lookout as well as a butterfly habitat with hiking trails, more than 15 miles (24 km) of mountain bike and hiking trails and approximately 150 lakes.
- Type
- Zoo & aquarium
- Animals
- 300 animals · 25 species
- Established
- 1994
- Wikipedia readers
- 11K a year
Where to stay near The Wilds
The closest towns with hotels, motels or campgrounds are Cambridge Township (21) and Cambridge (18).
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From The Wilds | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meigs Township | in town | — | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 201 | $219K | — |
| Cambridge Township | 17 mi northeast | 25 min | 21 15 hotels · 2 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 13,836 | $141K | — |
| Cambridge | 15 mi northeast | 25 min | 18 14 hotels · 1 motel · 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 RV park | 10,055 | $122K | B− |
| Perry Township | 12 mi northwest | 20 min | 7 6 hotels · 1 motel | 2,763 | $241K | — |
| Olive Township | 14 mi southeast | 20 min | 7 5 hotels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 campground | 5,887 | $158K | — |
| Zanesville | 17 mi northwest | 25 min | 9 7 hotels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 campground | 25,138 | $124K | D |
| Noble Township | 10 mi east | 15 min | 2 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground | 1,976 | $172K | — |
| Morgan Township | 13 mi southwest | 20 min | 3 2 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins | 2,262 | $114K | — |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Also near The Wilds
Other well-known places within 70 miles.
Big draw69 mi Stadium & arenaOhio Stadium
68 mi Stadium & arenaHistoric Crew Stadium
69 mi Stadium & arenaScottsMiracle-Gro Field
51 mi State parkHocking Hills State Park
70 mi Stadium & arenaValue City Arena
45 mi MuseumAge of Steam Roundhouse
53 mi Ancient siteGrave Creek Mound
70 mi LandmarkMcKinley National MemorialPhoto credits
Ohio Stadium: Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Historic Crew Stadium: Rick Dikeman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · ScottsMiracle-Gro Field: Nova Crystallis, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hocking Hills State Park: Ramseybuckeye, Public domain · Value City Arena: Nick81aku at English Wikipedia, Public domain · Age of Steam Roundhouse: Alvintrusty, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Grave Creek Mound: Shonebrooks, CC0 · McKinley National Memorial: CoolRockC, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visiting The Wilds
Is The Wilds in Meigs Township?
Yes. It’s inside Meigs Township, OH.
When is the best time to visit The Wilds?
May, June, July, August, September and October, with highs of 65–84°.
How far is The Wilds from Columbus?
About 67 miles west of Columbus, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to The Wilds?
Mid Ohio Valley Regional (PKB), about 37 miles away. The nearest big hub is John Glenn Columbus (CMH), about 63 miles.
Where should I stay near The Wilds?
Cambridge Township (17 mi, 21 places to stay), Cambridge (15 mi, 18 places to stay) and Perry Township (12 mi, 7 places to stay).
Tips from people in Meigs Township
No tips yet. Ask, or answer, in Meigs Township’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.