Sometimes, it can be hard to find a day trip destination the whole family will love. Fortunately, Ohio is home to multiple small town petting zoos (like this one) and animal sanctuaries that offer both fun and educational experiences. Safari Junction in Eaton, Ohio is the home of Valley Exotics Zoo. From camels and kangaroos to exotic birds and lemurs, you never know what sort of friends you’ll encounter. The next time you want to take the family to see some animals, consider Safari Junction.

Welcome to Safari Junction, a 10-acre family-owned animal park where learning is fun. You’ll meet animals from around the world.

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook For more than 20 years, the Beneke family has been taking care of animals and educating the public about their habitats, needs and behaviors.

Here, you’ll encounter kangaroos, camels, foxes, lemurs and many more friends. You’ll get a rare up-close and hands-on experience that larger zoos aren’t able to offer.

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook For more information about what kinds of animals you’ll meet at Safari Junction, click here.

The shaded pathways make it perfect for exploring the zoo—and the animals—in the warmer months. Even on a hot day, it’s fairly cool.

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook Note: From August - October, Safari Junction is only open on the weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission is $8 per person and children ages 3 and under are free.

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook You can also schedule an appointment to visit the animals during the Back to School hours. For more information, call (937) 545-5175.

There’s also a picnic and play area in case you need to stop and take a break from your adventures.

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook To stay up to date on what’s happening at Safari Junction, be sure to follow their Facebook page.

You might even spot the traveling Valley Exotics Zoo at select events throughout Ohio!

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook

Have you ever been to Safari Junction before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!

Safari Junction, Home of Valley Exotics Zoo/Facebook

For more than 20 years, the Beneke family has been taking care of animals and educating the public about their habitats, needs and behaviors.

For more information about what kinds of animals you’ll meet at Safari Junction, click here.

Note: From August - October, Safari Junction is only open on the weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

You can also schedule an appointment to visit the animals during the Back to School hours. For more information, call (937) 545-5175.

To stay up to date on what’s happening at Safari Junction, be sure to follow their Facebook page.

For more little-known places in Ohio that animal lovers will appreciate, check out our previous article: The Small Town Petting Zoo In Ohio That’s Worth Its Own Road Trip.

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Address: 2961 US-127, Eaton, OH 45320, USA