Chestatee Wildlife Preserve

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve is located at Old Dahlonega Highway in Dahlonega, Georgia and is approximately 45 minutes north of Atlanta. This 20-acre site of farmland house over 100 animals and is open to the public to view the different species. The preserve is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm and guided tours can be provided if booked in advance.

The preserve was founded in 1992 by C.W. Wathen and has steadily grown with animals mostly rescued from private owners, theme parks and other locations with poor living standards. Many different species of animal can be seen here including Siberian tigers, Canadian lynx, wolves, a grizzly bear, lions, chimpanzees, snakes and birds amongst other creatures. As well as viewing the animals the zoo has picnic tables where visitors can enjoy lunch and there is a playground for the children too.

Special educational camps are provided where children aged 7 to 12 shadow the keepers and learn more about the day to day running of a zoo. This is a small intimate place and people usually take about an hour to wander round and see the animals. Whilst in the area visitors may also wish to go to the Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, which is located on Public Square about 150 meters from the zoo.