Bear Hollow is a wildlife sanctuary in Athens, Georgia exhibiting the state’s native animals. It is home to a variety of animals that are not releasable into the wild and offers guests a great educational experience about Georgia’s native wildlife!
Bear Hollow’s beautiful, paved walkway underneath a canopy of trees will lead you through exhibits of river otters, alligators, wild turkeys, black bears, and more. Instead of feeling like you’re visiting a zoo, you’ll feel as though you’ve entered the animals’ natural habitats.
A self-guided tour informational page will tell you everything you need to know about the animals in each exhibit. For example, you’ll find that Winnie the Hoo, a great horned owl at Bear Hollow, made the zoo her home after being hit by a car. Athena the American black bear was orphaned in the wild and came to live at Bear Hollow in 2010. Fun facts about each species are also listed on the self-guided tour page and staff members are around if you have any questions.
Each animal in the zoo lives at Bear Hollow “as [an] ambassador for their species,” according to the Athens-Clarke County website. “They are here to educate our visitors about the wonderful wildlife with which we share space.”
ADMISSION: Free
PHONE: 706-613-3580
ADDRESS: 293 Gran Ellen Drive, Athens, GA, 30606
PET-FRIENDLINESS: No pets allowed; Only service animals permitted
ACCESSIBILITY: ADA bathroom stalls are available. Each exhibit of the zoo is accessible by a paved ramp, but the pavement is steep in some areas. The exit of the zoo is a steep, uphill road.
