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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

There’s A Zipline Right Next To A Safari Park In Arizona, Making For A Fun-Filled Family Outing

Enjoy a family day trip in Camp Verde, Arizona, with visits to Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Predator Zip Lines.

Published Aug 8, 2022

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

One of the best family day trips in Arizona takes you to not one, but two fun-filled attractions. Take a tram ride through hundreds of exotic animals at Out of Africa Wildlife Park, then head next door to soar through the air (and over the animal enclosures!) at Predator Zip Lines. It's a wild time for all ages!

Nestled in the small town of Camp Verde, Out of Africa Wildlife Park is the ultimate family-friendly day trip destination.

Entrance to Out of Africa Wildlife Park, featuring a large sign and decorative wooden carvings.
TripAdvisor/Redbullx2

The park houses an impressive array of exotic animals from all over the world, offering several unique attractions that allow you to get up close and personal with the majestic creatures.

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A lion rests on a wooden platform with a scenic mountainous landscape in the background.
TripAdvisor/BCRON

Everyone loves the African Bush Safari Tour, which is included with general admission. This 30-minute tram ride takes you into the heart of the park, where you'll brush noses with zebras, giraffes, antelope, and many other resident animals. You'll even get to feed them special treats!

A giraffe reaches into a safari vehicle, while zebras graze in the background under a clear blue sky.
TripAdvisor/Dawn L

Watch the zookeepers engage with tigers, giant snakes, bears, and other predators in four distinct shows. The whole family will be on the edge of their seats as you eagerly await the animals' next trick.

A white tiger leaps out of a pool, catching a colorful toy, while a trainer stands in the water nearby. Spectators watch.
TripAdvisor man

You can even feed a tiger from just three feet away! This activity takes place at 1:45 p.m. daily, following the Tiger Splash™ show at the Tiger Splash Arena.

A boy in an orange shirt interacts with a tiger through a fence, while an adult watches nearby.
TripAdvisor/Christie P

How would you like to hold and feed a two-toed sloth? Out of Africa's only animal encounter is a must-do when visiting the park.

A man and a woman pose together in a zoo, with a sloth hanging above them on a branch.
Facebook/Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Right next door to the animal enclosures is Predator Zip Line, an exhilarating adventure that takes you soaring over the park.

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A person zip-lining from a wooden tower against a blue sky with clouds and distant mountains.
TripAdvisor/KellyL

A whopping 2.5 hours of high-flying fun await you, with five different zipline runs and a thrilling canopy walk making up the course.

A landscape with dry terrain, a zip line, and people walking near structures against a mountainous backdrop.
TripAdvisor/Angela T

Perhaps the neatest part of the whole experience is that you'll be zipping directly over the animals, so you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of some of the park's most beautiful inhabitants.

A lioness rests on a platform with a lookout tower in the background against a scenic landscape.
TripAdvisor/meatsmkr

So strike your best pose, take in the sights both above and all around you, and have a blast while you're at it.

A person zip-lining over a mountainous landscape with snow-capped peaks in the background.
TripAdvisor/Ashley H

Visit the Out of Africa Wildlife Park and Predator Zip Lines websites for more information, including current tours and ticket prices. Discount packages are available if you do both attractions!

Have you ever embarked on this two-part family outing in Arizona? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don't forget to check out our previous article for a kid-friendly campground in Camp Verde if you want to keep the fun going overnight!

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Arizona Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area as we have our very own Audubon Center right here in the city.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area. In fact, we have our very own Audubon center right here in the city! This Audubon Center in Arizona serves as an oasis for over 200 bird species. Perhaps you can spend an afternoon here and see how many you can spot. Just bring your hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a Southwest birding guide for this outdoor adventure.

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Located within the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix lies the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. Free to visit, this incredible Audubon Center is located at 3131 South Central Avenue.

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The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches. Summer Tanagers are medium-sized, chunky songbirds with big bodies and large heads. They have large, thick, blunt-tipped bills. This one was in Spartanburg, SC where they migrate in summer

The Rio Salado Audubon Center is set along the Salt River for 5 miles providing a riparian habitat rich in birds and other wildlife. In fact, over 200 bird species have been spotted throughout the 600-acre wildlife refuge. How many do you think you could spot in a single afternoon?

The Rio Salado landscape is a mix of wetlands, mesquite bosque, and forests filled with cottonwoods and willows. Birds love it here and so will you! During your visit, you may be able to spot an Anna's Hummingbird flittering around, a great blue heron wading in the river, or a greater roadrunner dashing across a trail.

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A shot of a road runner travelling through the desert.

While there are 5 miles of trails to enjoy, you may also want to participate in one of the Rio Salado Audubon Center's Free Guided Bird Walks. These informative hikes are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and are a great way for people of all ages to learn about bird species found right here in Phoenix.

As someone who has worked at an Audubon Center for a number of years on the East Coast, I know how serious birdwatching can be. And I assure you, the Rio Salado Audubon Center is one of the best places for birding in Phoenix. Have you ever visited this Audubon Center in Arizona and, if so, did you go birdwatching? How many and which bird species did you spot? We would love to hear from you!

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Alan Vernon / Moment Collection via Getty Images

For additional information such as location, directions, and hours of operation, visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center web page. Keep in mind that the center itself is closed on Sundays and Mondays and on most holidays. However, the property around the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is open 7 days a week throughout the year from dawn until 7 p.m. or dusk.

Would you like ideas for more outdoor adventures in Arizona? Take a look at the top hiking trails in Arizona, and download the AllTrails+ app as your guide.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider in Arizona Comes From This Family-Owned Farm

Mortimer Farms is perfect for a fall day trip and some of the best apple cider in Arizona.

Published Sep 11, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Why are the three months of fall the best part of the year? Well, at least that's how it is for me. As a New Englander-turned-desert-dweller, I used to think that fall fun only occurred where I grew up. After all, New England is the fall foliage capital of the U.S., right? Well, when I found out that fall is also a big deal here in Arizona, I fell in love with the state just a little bit more! Just like where my childhood roots are, there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and other fall treats to be had in the Grand Canyon State. And if you're on the hunt for the best apple cider in Arizona, I suggest you visit Mortimer Farms.

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exterior of mortimer farms in arizona with a john deere tractor in foreground
Mortimer Farms/Google Reviews

Visiting a farm during the fall should be a requirement because there's no other place to really enjoy the season in such a fun way! Mortimer Farms is one of those farms that's perfect for a fall day trip in Arizona.

Located in Dewey, this family-owned farm offers seasonal events including its annual Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze which runs from late September through late October. During this time, you can have fun watching pig races and a tractor parade, participating in a Friday night barn dance, picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, meeting farm animals, going on a hayride, and so much more.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

You'll also find plenty of food options between all the food trucks and farm-fresh fall goodies like pies, apple cider donuts, and apple cider. In fact, you can watch an apple cider press demo at the fall festival to see how it's made right here at Mortimer Farms!

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adrianabeckova90 / 500px via Getty Images

Of course, you won't be able to resist taking home a half gallon or so of apple cider. Countless customers rave about how incredibly fresh and tasty Mortimer Farms' cider is whether you drink it hot or cold.

Another recommendation is the apple cider donuts if they're available. No one can resist an apple cider donut, especially one that's made fresh on a farm.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

Where have you had the best apple cider in Arizona? Is it Mortimer Farms in Dewey? For location, events, and pick-your-own information, visit the Mortimer Farms website and give its Facebook page a follow for updates on all the family-friendly farm fun!

Are you ready to explore the Grand Canyon State in the fall? Take a look at all the incredible fall destinations in Arizona. If hiking is on your list of things to do this fall, download the AllTrails+ app to find hiking trails near you.

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