Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort's commitment to the care and welfare of our Wildlife Academy is a top priority. The Resort and its' programs are in compliance with USDA Guidelines. With the assistance of Dr. Jonathan Bergmann, DVM and his skilled experience with exotic animals, along with our trained and caring zookeeper associates, Nemacolin believes in providing loving and knowledgeable care to our animals.

"One thing is certain, at Nemacolin, we have a passion for providing exceptional experiences. My father began the Wildlife Academy years ago with the inspiration to share his love for animals with others. His passion and commitment to their habitat and well-being are part of the mission we still carry out today. With many of the animals on our property being rescued by my father from failing zoos, he believed making them part of our family would leave lasting impressions on our guests, provide an educational experience and foster the belief in conservation."

- Maggie Hardy Magerko, President & Owner of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Backwoods Trail Rides

Location: Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

Tour the scenic beauty of the Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands the way the first settlers did... on horseback. The Backwoods Trail Ride begins at Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure, home to 14 horses. Your guide will then lead you throughout two-miles of wooded trails. It's fun for the whole family. 

Important Details: All riders must be 55'' or taller and wear appropriate footwear (recommend boots or tennis shoes, no open toe shoes). Trips will run in rain unless there is thunder and / or lightning. Please arrive at least 20-minutes prior to your scheduled ride. Ride lasts approximately 45-minutes.

Enrichment Tours

Location: Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

Make toys, treats and puzzles with a zookeeper to give to some inquisitive animals at Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure. Watch and learn as they play with, and then eat your treat!

Important Details: Animals included are located at Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure. Tour does not include larger animals in habitats across property.

Guided Nursery Tours

Location:Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

This educational program includes a guided walking tour of the Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure, as well as the chance to interact with a few of the animals, including our kinkajou, fennec foxes, badger, a porcupine, sloth, alligator, tortoise and the Creepy Crawly Room. Open Nursery is also available and includes self-guided tours of our animals.

Important Details: Please note the species of animals are subject to change.

Jamaican Dog Sledding

Location: Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

It screams Nemacolin summertime and is a fun twist to our winter dog sledding excursion. A wheeled cart pulled by Nemacolin's very own dog sled team will take you for a thrilling ride throughout the property. The experience lasts approximately 45-minutes and includes a kennel tour and ride.

Important Details: Weather permitting, and subject to availability. Combined weight of riders cannot exceed 275 lbs. Minimum weight is 45 lbs. for children. Please wear appropriate clothing. Ride will run in the rain unless there is thunder and / or lightening. If under 50 degrees, a four-wheeled cart is used for dogs to pull. If above 50 degrees, an ATV is used for dogs to pull.

Louie's African Train Ride

Location: Wildlife Academy Check-In Station

All aboard! Meet your tour guide, our very own Louie the Lion, and head to the animal habitats to learn about Nemacolin's wildlife family. You will see bison, hyenas, tigers, lions, red sheep, zebras and more! Each educational tour is 1-hour in length.

Important Details: Tours are limited to 18 people. Educational tour is geared toward children. Please note the species of animals are subject to change.

Pony Rides

Location: Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

Pony rides for little ones are a Nemacolin Wildlife Adventure favorite and are under the close supervision of our trained associates. Rides are available by appointment only.

Important Details: Riders must be able to hold onto the horse by themselves. Adults are not allowed to walk beside and hold onto children. Riders must wear proper footwear (no open toed shoes).

Safari Tour

Location: Wildlife Academy Check-In Station

Hop aboard our safari cart and experience a behind the scenes, interactive look at some of our exotic animals. Get up close and personal as you begin the tour at Billy Goat Mountain where you will feed and pet various breeds of sheep, cows and goats. Marvel at the wolves, tigers, lions, zebra and buffalo as you feed them their favorite treats. And don’t forget the bear enclosure, where we hear Rocky and Boo Boo enjoy eating marshmallows. This interactive tour lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours.

Important Details: Maximum 7 riders per trip in the winter and 14 riders per trip in the summer. There is a great deal of walking, please wear comfortable attire and proper footwear. Please note that species of animals are subject to change.

Wild Animal Show

Location: Lecture Hall, unless noted.

Join our Wildlife Academy team as they lead you on an adventure to explore the wild world of animals. This entertaining and educational experience will showcase reptiles, birds, mammals and much more. The show is led by experienced associates on select holiday and weekend dates.

Wildlife Habitats

Location: See Property Map.

Wild animals are literally around every corner of the 2,000 acres that make up Nemacolin. Hop in your car, on a bike or walk the trails and visit with animals such as Rocky, Sugar and Boo Boo the bears, Keira the Bengal tiger or our mountain lions. You'll be surprised, we promise.

Winter Dog Sledding

Location: Nemacolin's Wildlife Adventure

You don’t have to go to Alaska to witness dogs pulling a sled through the snow. It’s at Nemacolin! Meet your very own set of sled dogs and their friends with a tour of our dog yard that houses 24 Alaskan huskies. There is a short briefing on the basics of dog sledding and how the musher maneuvers the sled while controlling the dogs with specific voice signals. Then, climb on in! Glide across the snow at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, making quick turns up and down the scenic landscape of the Laurel Highlands. Get an adrenaline rush that you have never had before!

Important Details: Minimum weight for children is 45 lbs. The run will take place regardless of weather, so please dress appropriately.