Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
239 Turpentine Creek Ln
Eureka Springs, AR
A wooded Ozark sanctuary where rescued tigers, lions, and other big cats live out their days in dignity and space.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a sanctuary in the Ozark hills near Eureka Springs that gives a permanent, dignified home to big cats rescued from neglect, abuse, and the exotic-pet and roadside-attraction trades. Tigers, lions, cougars, bobcats, and other animals live out their lives here in spacious natural habitats, cared for by a staff devoted to their well-being.
The refuge is not a zoo in the ordinary sense. Every animal here is a survivor with a story, often a hard one, rescued from a life in a cage far too small or from an owner no longer able to care for a creature that was never meant to be a pet. Visitors come to see these magnificent animals, but they leave with a deeper understanding of the plight of captive big cats and the work required to give them a better end.
What Guests Love
- Seeing rescued tigers, lions, and other big cats up close in spacious habitats
- The refuge's mission of giving abused and abandoned animals a permanent home
- Learning the individual stories behind the animals it has saved
- A beautiful Ozark setting that pairs with a Eureka Springs visit
Worth Knowing
- This is a rescue sanctuary, not a zoo; the animals are rescued survivors given a forever home
- Guided tours share each animal's story and the refuge's conservation mission
- Overnight lodging on site lets guests fall asleep to the sounds of big cats
- It sits in the hills south of Eureka Springs, easy to combine with a day in town
Details
Eureka Springs, AR
Learn about Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
A sanctuary, not a zoo
The distinction matters here. Turpentine Creek exists to rescue and provide lifelong care for big cats and other animals in need, not to breed or display them for entertainment. Many of its residents arrive after being kept as exotic pets by owners who could not handle a full-grown tiger or lion, or after roadside attractions and failed operations left them without homes.
The refuge grew from the efforts of a family that took in a handful of animals in need and found the need was far greater than they had imagined. Over the years it expanded into a full sanctuary with the space, expertise, and funding to care for dozens of large cats, becoming one of the more prominent big-cat rescue operations in the country and an advocate against the private ownership of dangerous wild animals.
The animals and their stories
Each animal at the refuge carries a history, and much of the visit is spent learning those stories. Some cats were rescued from cramped basement cages, others from operations that let the public pose with cubs, and others from situations of outright neglect. Hearing how each one came to the refuge, and seeing the space and care it now enjoys, is the heart of the experience.
Guided tours lead visitors past the habitats, where knowledgeable staff share the individual histories and explain the broader issues behind the exotic-cat trade. The animals live in large, naturalized enclosures rather than bare cages, and watching a tiger or lion move through space, sun itself, or splash in a pool is a reminder of the dignity the refuge works to restore.
Staying the night
One of the refuge's most distinctive offerings is on-site lodging, allowing guests to spend the night in cabins and other accommodations within the sanctuary grounds. Falling asleep and waking to the roars and calls of big cats in the surrounding hills is an unforgettable experience, and the lodging helps support the refuge's mission.
Staying overnight also gives visitors more time to appreciate the animals in the quieter early and late hours, and to feel more fully immersed in the refuge's world. For animal lovers, it turns a visit into something closer to an experience, and every stay contributes to the considerable cost of feeding and caring for so many large animals.
Eureka Springs and the Ozarks
The refuge lies in the wooded hills south of Eureka Springs, one of the most charming towns in the Ozarks. Built into steep hillsides around dozens of springs once prized for their supposed healing powers, Eureka Springs is famous for its winding streets, well-preserved Victorian architecture, art galleries, and offbeat, welcoming character.
The surrounding region holds many other attractions, from the striking Thorncrown Chapel and historic springs and gardens to the scenery of the Ozark hills themselves. A visit to Turpentine Creek pairs naturally with time in Eureka Springs, making this corner of northwest Arkansas a rich and varied destination for a weekend or more.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Eureka Springs
Downtown Eureka Springs
About 7 miles, a 15 minute drive
A well-preserved Victorian resort town of steep, winding streets lined with galleries, historic inns, shops, and springs.
Thorncrown Chapel
About 9 miles, a 20 minute drive
A soaring glass-and-wood chapel in the Ozark forest, celebrated as one of the great works of American architecture.
Blue Spring Heritage Center
About 12 miles, a 25 minute drive
A large natural spring and heritage garden with a rich Native American and pioneer history along the White River.