Organization ·
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
Nestled in the lush piney woods of East Texas, Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari is a wildlife park that is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. See over a dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. At your own pace, enjoy a self-guided drive through the hills and open savannahs of this 300-acre preserve. From the comfort of your own vehicle, you can observe, feed, and photograph these beautiful creatures. This natural environment has miles of roads that take you into a whole different world. Spot a Watusi (African longhorn cow) mother and calf grazing near a spring-fed pond. Watch the Blackbuck (Indian antelope) "stodding" across an open field. Notice the lovely facial markings of the delicate Lechwe (Africa) and gentle eyes of the Barrisingha (India). Learn the difference between the Fallow (Middle East) and Sika deer (Eastern Asia and Japan. Have a close encounter with "R. B.", short for Raging Bull, a Canadian Woods Bison. And just when you think you've seen it all, there's Stella and Oscar – a pair of alligators.
Hours
March Through August
Monday - Saturday Open 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Open 1:00 p.m.
Last Car Admitted 4:30 p.m.
Gates Close 6:00 p.m.
September Through February
Monday - Saturday Open 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Open 1:00 p.m.
Last Car Admitted 3:30 p.m.
Gates Close 5:00 p.m.
Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Saturdays 10:30 a.m.
Closed:
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Thanksgiving Day
Easter Day
Admission
Adults: $14.00/person
Kids ages 3-12: $9.00/person
Senior Adults ages 65 and up: $12.00
Update this page
Visitor Information
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
1200 County Road 4405
Jacksonville, TX 75766
903.683.3322 phone
visit website
map & directions
Directions & Parking
From Dallas, TX: Travel east on I-20 to Tyler exits. Take 69 South to Jacksonville. Turn left on 79 just after the over pass. Travel approx. 2.5 miles. Turn right on 204. Stay on 204 as it turns off to the left - about 1.6 miles. Travel east on 204 about 9 miles, continue through the light at 204 and 110. Travel 0.2 mile past the light, then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Houston, TX: (Major Highway): Take Hwy 45 north to Buffalo. Exit to Hwy 79 north. Travel approx. 32 miles to Palestine. Take loop 256 south to Hwy 84. Travel approx 30 miles to Rusk. Take Hwy 110 approx. 8 miles to the intersection of Hwy 204 and 110, turn right. Travel 0.2 mile, then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Houston, TX: (Scenic Route):Take Hwy 59 north through Lufkin and Nacogdoches. Approx. 5 miles north of Nacogdoches turn left (west) on Hwy. 204. Travel approx. 26 miles. Turn right on 2274 about 0.2 miles before the blinking light at the intersection of 110 and 204. On 2274, travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Henderson, TX: Take Hwy 79 south approx. 18 miles to FM 2274. Turn left on 2274 travel approx. 8 miles to CR 4405, turn left and travel 1 mile.
From Jacksonville, TX: Take 79 to 204. Stay on 204 as it turns off to the left - about 1.6 miles. Travel east on 204 about 9 miles, continue through the blinking light at the intersection of 204 and 110. Travel 0.2 mile, then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Longview, TX: Travel south on 259 to Henderson. Take 79 out of Henderson approximately 17 miles to FM 2274. Turn left and travel approximately 8 miles to CR 4405. Watch carefully for the Cherokee Trace sign on the left. Turn left on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Lufkin, TX: Take 69 to Rusk. From Rusk, take 110 north. Turn right at the blinking light at the intersection of 204 and 110. Travel 0.2 mile on 204 then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Nacogdoches, TX: Take 259 north to 204. Turn left on 204 toward Jacksonville. Turn right on 2274 about 0.2 miles before the blinking light at the intersection of 110 and 204. On 2274, travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Palestine, TX: Take 79 to Jacksonville. Continue on 79 to 204 east. Stay on 204 as it turns off to the left - about 1.6 mile. Travel east on 204 about 9 miles. Continue through the blinking light at the intersection of 204 and 110. Travel 0.2 mile, then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From Shreveport, LA: Head west on I-20 W. Take exit 3 toward Mooringsport Turn left at LA-169, slight left at US-79 approx. 29 miles. Continue to follow US-79 approx. 58 miles to Henderson, TX. Turn left on Hwy 79/259 stay with 79 approx. 18 miles to FM 2274. Turn left on 2274 travel approx. 8 miles to CR 4405, turn left and travel 1 mile.
From Tyler, TX: (via Whitehouse / Troup) Travel south on highway 110. In Troup stay on 110 as it turns right to New Summerfield. Continue south 6 miles past New Summerfield on 110. Turn left at the blinking light at the intersection of 110 and 204. Travel 0.2 mile on 204 then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
From (South) Tyler, TX (via Jacksonville): Take 69 South to Jacksonville. Turn left on 79 just after the over pass. Travel approx. 2.5 miles. Turn right on 204. Stay on 204 as it turns off to the left - about 1.6 miles. Travel east on 204 about 9 miles, continue through the light at 204 and 110. Travel 0.2 mile past the light, then turn left on 2274. Travel 1.5 miles. Turn right on 4405 and travel 1 mile.
Other Information
Rules of the road
Stay inside your vehicle at all times. Stay out of sunroofs and windows and off hoods of vehicles. No one may ride in the bed of a pickup. Violation of this policy will result in eviction from the park.
Feed only the food pellets provided. Any other food can cause these animals to have serious health problems.
Keep doors closed at all times. This includes tailgates, van doors, and hatchbacks. Jeeps must have side doors and a top. Convertibles must have the top up.
Pets are not allowed. Domestic animals present a health and safety risk to these animals. Violation of this policy will result in eviction from the park.
Remove flags, balls, or other objects from the outside of your vehicle. Animals are attracted to them and, if eaten, can cause serious injury.
Stay on the roads & follow the yellow arrow route signs.
Drop food pellets on the ground. Animals may bite, spit, or kick if fed from your hand or a feeding sack.
Pull to the side of the road when stopping. Allow other vehicles to pass.
Speed limit 10 mph.
No alcohol allowed on this property.
Cherokee Trace assumes no liability for damage to vehicles, persons, or property
as a result of interactions with the animals and facilities.
Cherokee Trace reserves the right to remove, without refund, anyone who violates the Rules of the Road.
