Cheehaw Park And Zoo

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Cheehaw Park and Zoo is located in Albany, Georgia and is a popular destination for families and nature enthusiasts.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park covers over 700 acres and includes a variety of attractions, including a zoo, nature trails, picnic areas, and playgrounds.

One of the main reasons to visit Cheehaw Park is to see the animals at the zoo. The zoo is home to over 200 animals, including tigers, lions, bears, and monkeys. Visitors can also see a variety of birds, reptiles, and other small animals. The zoo offers educational programs and animal encounters for visitors of all ages.

In addition to the zoo, Cheehaw Park has several points of interest worth seeing. The park has miles of hiking trails that wind through forests and wetlands, providing opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation. There is also a butterfly house, a petting zoo, and a splash park for kids.

Interesting facts about Cheehaw Park and Zoo include that it was originally founded as an animal sanctuary in 1996 and later became a zoo in 2003. The park is also home to several endangered and threatened species, including the red wolf and the gopher tortoise.

The best time of year to visit Cheehaw Park and Zoo is in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and comfortable. Summer months can be hot and humid, while winter months can be chilly.

Overall, Cheehaw Park and Zoo is a great place to visit for families and nature enthusiasts. With its variety of attractions, educational programs, and beautiful natural surroundings, it is a must-see destination in Georgia.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks