Camels have a long history in the USA. Although it might seem unbelievable, camels originated in North America, that is, in the northwest part of the USA. They were first small, rabbit-sized, and then grew a lot bigger.
Around 7.5 million years ago, camels migrated into Asia and Europe, via the Bering Strait, the landmass that connected Asia and North America.
Today, there are around 3,000 camels in the USA, mostly in zoos, private and dairy farms. If you are looking for camel riding places in the United States, today is your lucky day.
Here are the top 15 places where you can ride a camel in the USA.
Camel Rides In Las Vegas Nevada
1. Camel Safari Las Vegas
Address: 2725 River Cliff Road Bunkerville, NV 89007
Phone: (800) 836-4036
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.camelsafari.com
Price: $79-$99
Camel safari provides an interesting camel experience in Nevada’s Mojave desert. 1-hour drive from Las Vegas will get you to a place you can meet dromedary and Bactrian camels.
Besides camels, the camel safari in Vegas is home to animals other than just camels. They also care for sloths, porcupines, sand cats, alpacas, and more.
NOTE: They no longer offer camel rides to the public; they now offer sunset safaris and feeding expeditions with camels. Still sounds like a great camel experience.
Camel Rides In Virginia
1. Bar C Ranch
Address: 238 Shepherds Mill Rd Berryville, VA 22611
Phone: (540) 539-7689
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.barcranch.org
Price: $500/hour
Bar C ranch was started in the year 2000, in Clarke County Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They offer educational petting zoos, shows, and camel rides.
Their dromedary camel rides are handled by experienced staff and their camels were hand raised on their farm. Besides camel rides, they offer a petting zoo, parakeet encounter educational shows, living nativity scenes, fair participation, and a petting zoo(m).
Camel Rides In Kentucky
1. Louisville Zoo
Address: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
Phone: (502) 459-2181
Email: via website
Website: www.louisvillezoo.org
Price: $6-$7
Louisville zoo was opened in 1969 and currently exhibits more than 1,100 animals on 130 acres of natural settings representing zoogeographical areas and specific habitats.
The Zoo’s dromedary camels present a memorable ride and a great photo opportunity. Besides camel rides, they offer the opportunity to feed the camels.
NOTE: Camel rides are not always available at the Zoo; they might sometimes be closed for the season. The best is to contact the zoo to check the ride availability before going for a visit.
2. Ark Encounter
Address: 1 Ark Encounter Drive Williamstown, KY 41097
Phone: (859) 727-2222
Email: via website
Website: www.arkencounter.com
Price: $8 per person
Ark Encounter is a Christian religious and Young Earth creationist theme park that opened in Grant County, Kentucky in 2016. The centerpiece of the park is a large representation of Noah’s Ark based on the Genesis flood narrative contained in the Bible. It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high.
They offer camel rides and camel encounters – where you can meet, feed, and take photos with dromedary camels.
NOTE: The weight limit for riders is 200 pounds total, and riders must be at least 36 inches tall to ride.
Camel Rides In California
1. Oasis Camel Dairy
Address: 26757 Highway 78, Ramona, California 92065
Phone: (760) 787-0983
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cameldairy.com
Price: $300 for up to 15 people
The Oasis Camel Dairy is a unique family farm in San Diego. They offer camel rides, public and private tours, and events.
Their camels do not carry a human until age six. Camels are hand-led by a trainer around a large, circular path and each ride is three to four minutes long.
They do not give camel rides to children under 4 years of age and restrict the combined weight of riders (children ride two at a time) to 200 lbs.
NOTE: They allow visits only by appointment; camel rides are not available from Monday to Thursday.
2. Giddy Up Ranch
Address: Mesquite Street, Phelan, CA 92371
Phone: (818) 335-7538 8707
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.giddyupponies.com
Price: n/a
Giddy Up Ranch started as a small family farm in 1989 and today has over 25 types of animals. They offer camel rides, pony rides, petting zoo, horse riding, guided trail rides, lessons, nativities, and much more.
A camel is led by a professional handler that will load and unload riders and lead them safely along a path. The camel saddles can seat multiple passengers, as long as the combined weight does not exceed 225 pounds.
Camel Rides In Florida
1. Safari Wilderness
Address: 10850 Moore Rd. Lakeland, FL 33809
Phone: (813) 382-2120
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.safariwilderness.com
Price: $239 per guest
Safari Wilderness Ranch is located six miles north of I-4 between Orlando and Tampa, and it is surrounded by Florida’s Green Swamp. It is a family-owned, licensed working game ranch.
Safari Wilderness has over 450 animals and over 50 different species. They offer camel safaris that are about an hour and a half long and are led by two experienced tour guides/camel handlers. They have both dromedary and Bactrian camels.
They are rated by Fodor’s International Travel Guide as one of the “Top 10 Safaris in the USA!”
NOTE: They do not allow children under the age of 3 to ride, and kids aged 3–5 must ride with an adult. Reservations are required and daily tour times are at 9 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM.
Camel Rides In Arizona
1. Phoenix Zoo
Address: 455 North Galvin Parkway Phoenix, Arizona 85008
Phone: 602-286-3800
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.phoenixzoo.org
Price: $6-$7
The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the United States, caring for more than 3,000 animals and nearly 400 species, including many threatened and endangered species.
Camel rides are one of the most popular things at the Phoenix Zoo.
NOTE: Expectant mothers and children under 2 are not allowed to ride.
Camel Rides In Ohio
1. African Safari Wildlife Park
Address: 267 S Lightner Road, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
Phone: 419 732 3606
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.africansafariwildlifepark.com
Price: $10 per person
The African Safari Wildlife Park is a drive-through wildlife park in Port Clinton, Ohio, United States. Visitors can drive through the 100-acre preserve and watch and feed the animals from their cars. They have around 20 different animal species and offer Bactrian camel rides.
Camel riders must be at least 36 inches tall to ride.
NOTE: Camel Rides usually close around December and reopen Mid-May. Camel Ride purchase doesn’t include admission to the Park, an admission ticket is required for Park Entry.
Camel Rides In Wisconsin
1. Stoneboat Farm Exotics
Address: 9511 Townline Dr, Sister Bay, WI 54234
Phone: (920) 421-0082
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.stoneboatfarmexotics.com
Price: $12-$20
Stoneboat Farm is a family-run farm in Door County, Wisconsin that offers hands-on interactive Bactrian Camel experiences. The farm was opened in 2004.
Besides camel rides, they offer an option to purchase camel, and camel milk cosmetics. At the farm, you can meet camels up close, including adults, babies, and the rare white ones. You can even bottle feed a baby camel during one of their camel tours.
NOTE: Their season usually closes around November/December and begins in spring; make sure to check if they are open before visiting.
2. Timbavati Wildlife Park
Address: 2220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
Phone: (608) 253-2391
Email: via website
Website: www.timbavatiwildlifepark.com
Price: $9 (+tax and admission ticket)
Timbavati Wildlife Park is a 25-acre wildlife park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. It was started in 2001 and has hundreds of exotic animals and over 75 species including giraffes, camels, African Antelope, rhinoceros, flamingos, parakeets, sloths, kangaroos, and more.
Camel Rides are available from May to Labor Day only.
NOTE: Children under 2 years old are not permitted to ride and an adult must accompany children ages 3-5 years old.
Camel Rides In Texas
1. Movieland Animals
Address: 2222 FM1283, Pipe Creek, TX 78063
Phone: 210-478-8808
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.movielandanimals.com
Price: $20
Movieland Animals is a Texas connection for trained animals, camel rides, and friendly animals for different events or festivals. They are located in the San Antonio area.
Movieland Animals offer camel rides, photo sessions with camels, zebras, and kangaroos. They offer the chance to pet, ride, and feed the animals.
NOTE: To visit the camel farm appointment is needed.
Camel Rides In Mississippi
1. Safari Wild Animal Park & Preserve
Address: 1549 Rooks Road, Como, Mississippi 38619
Phone: 662 526 0001
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.safariwildanimalpark.com
Price: n/a
Safari Wild is located in Historic Como, MS just 40 miles south of Memphis, TN. It is Mississippi’s premier safari park featuring a stunning 466-acre authentic African drive-through and walk-through safari park and wild animal preserve.
NOTE: Camel rides are currently unavailable at the park. Because of the bad weather, the Safari Wild Park can be closed; make sure to check if it’s open before visiting.
Camel Rides In Missouri
1. R & P Camel Ride
Address: 2820 US Highway 65, Louisburg, MO
Phone: 417 844 2889
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.randpcamelcompany.com
Price: $5
R&P Camel Ride is a small family farm that started offering camel rides in 2021. Besides camels, the farm has pigmy goats, Rusty the miniature horse, a team of Percheron horses, baby cows, and Pekin ducks.
NOTE: Camel rides are unavailable from October until May. The farm is closed for camel rides during the winter.
Camel Rides In Michigan
1. John Ball Zoo
Address: 1300 W. Fulton St. Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Phone: 616 336-4300
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.jbzoo.org
Price: $7
John Ball Zoological Garden is an urban park located on the west side of the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. It is situated on the ravines and bluffs along the west edge of the park. The zoo houses a variety of animals from around the world and is a significant regional attraction.
They also offer camel rides. Camel rides can hold up to three participants per ride. Participants must be a minimum of 34 inches tall to ride without a guardian. The maximum weight is 300 pounds.
NOTE: Camel rides at JB Zoo are available seasonally; make sure to check before visiting the zoo.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it!
15 amazing places where you can ride a camel nearby in the US. Before visiting, make sure to check that the camel rides are still available and that the park/zoo is not closed for the season.
Happy camel riding!
P.S. You want to learn more about camel racing? Make sure to read this article.