Barn Hill Preserve

Address:	11370 LA-955, Ethel, LA 70730, USA
Phone:	+1 225-286-3003
Site:	barnhillpreserve.com
Rating:	4.4

Location

Barn Hill Preserve: A Closer Look Through Reviews

Quality of Service

Educational Programs: The staff is knowledgeable and provides educational programs for schools. They discuss various animals and their natural habitats.
Animal Interaction: Visitors have the opportunity to interact with unique animals like kangaroos and camels.
Staff Behavior: The staff is described as friendly and caring, going the extra mile to make visitors happy.

Accessibility

Location: Some reviews mention that the preserve may seem far, but it's worth the drive.
Scheduling: There were instances where the preserve didn't show up for scheduled school visits, but they made efforts to rectify the situation.

Pricing

Value for Money: The general sentiment is that the experience is reasonably priced.
Additional Costs: Some reviews mention extra costs for special animal interactions like with sloths and otters.

Services and Types of Entertainment

Animal Encounters: The preserve offers close encounters with a variety of animals, including kangaroos, camels, and macaws.
Educational Programs: They offer educational programs for schools, focusing on animal conservation and natural habitats.
Seasonal Events: The preserve hosts seasonal events like a pumpkin patch in October, complete with hayrides and mazes.

Controversies and Criticisms

Animal Welfare: Some reviews question the ethics of the preserve, accusing them of being more focused on profit than animal conservation.
Unfulfilled Promises: There are complaints about not receiving pictures or not showing up for scheduled events.

Additional Insights

Family-Friendly: The preserve is considered a great place for families and children.
Cleanliness: The area is described as clean and well-maintained.
Unique Experience: The preserve offers a different experience compared to traditional zoos, allowing for more personal interaction with animals.

What Visitors Love

Pumpkin Patch Event: The October pumpkin patch is a hit, offering games, a hay maze, and a hayride.
Animal Interaction: The ability to get up close with unique animals is highly praised.
Educational Value: The educational programs are well-received, especially by schools.

What Could Be Improved

Transparency: Some visitors would like more transparency regarding how the animals are acquired and cared for.
Communication: Improved communication is desired, especially concerning scheduled visits and promised photographs.

Noteworthy Features

Free-Flying Macaws: The preserve has dozens of rescued macaws that free-fly around the property.
Walk-About Kangaroo Enclosure: A unique feature where you can physically walk into and interact with kangaroos.

Photos 100

Reviews 16

Michelle Johanson

I contacted this organization today via FB. I wanted to know how they come to own these animals. I was told that some of the macaws were owner surrendered but, that they do buy many of their animals from exotic wildlife breeders. Does this not bother anyone? What does this organization do to "preserve" wildlife? How do they contribute to the conservation of wildlife? Why is a baby sloth being toted from school to school in a van so that I can be asked if I want to pay $10 for my daughter to have her picture taken with it? Im sorry but, this is nothing more than a traveling exotic animal company. They may be able to tell my child where a sloth lives when its IN the wild; tell her what it would eat IN the wild; what it would normally be doing IN the wild BUT, that information could be learned in many other ways that dont include having a baby sloth kept in captivity. All we are doing by supporting groups like this is teaching our children that its okay to keep wild animals in captivity for human entertainment. Period. Very upsetting that our schools dont reach out to the many true wildlife conservation organizations in our states. There are so many. Disappointing that so many parents want to applaud this type of false education.

Christine Goodin

I experienced certainly started off on the wrong foot. There were a lot of unanswered questions in the beginning as to why they didnt show up to our school and a lot of very sad children. But with much research on their part they were able to find out what happened and there were things that happened that were out of their control. They worked really hard to right the wrong that happened, that was not their fault, and we are very grateful for that. They quickly rescheduled our show and the children loved it. The staff was very knowledgeable about the animals and very good with the children. We really appreciated the extra mile that they took to make the children happy.

Emilie Dours

Barn Hill is a wonderful experience you cant find elsewhere! It seems somewhat far of a drive, but once you get there you will want to hangout all day! There are plenty of cool animals to see, take pictures with, and even interact with. There is a walk-about kangaroo enclosure that you can physically walk into and jump around with the kangaroos. There are all kinds of flight trained birds that fly freely on the land as you walk around too! The best time to go is now, in October, for their pumpkin patch! They have fun games, a hay maze, hay ride, a corn pit, and everyone gets to take home a free small pumpkin! Its a great way to spend you day with the family one weekend!

Joy Barnett

Absolutely LOVE the whole Barn Hill experience!! I have seven great nieces and nephews that ask me to take them every single time Im with them. Barn Hill has hosted a private party for me, and Ive been to Barn Hill on a number of occasions. The animals are different than anything youd normally see, and the up close and personal experience with the animals is the main highlight. Nothing like kissing a camel or holding a baby kangaroo. I think I love it as much as the kids. And this is the perfect time of year to go for their Pumpkin Patch/Hayride event. Sooo so fun!

Hannah Paul

Barn Hill Preserve is an amazing place, run by an ambitious young couple. We were given a personal tour and allowed to interact with some of the animals, including kangaroos and camels! They have dozens of rescued macaws that free fly around the property, it is amazing to see. Barn Hill is a very different experience than a zoo or a drive through safari, you get to speak with the staff and interns, learn about the individual history of the animals, and get very up close and personal with the animals. I would definitely recommend it for a family outing!!!

Lori Ware

I love Barn Hill! My son had his birthday party there and it was one of the most memorable that he ever had! The staff is personal and caring. There knowledge and care for the animals is more than I have ever noticed at a typical zoo. The Preserve allows the animals a comfortable environment while giving the public an up close encounter that is unmatched in our area. The constant growth and creativity of its owners makes coming back a new experience each time! Hope you enjoy it!!

D Johnson

Great experience for our students at Shadydale Elementary... The exposure was excellent and I cant get the students to stop talking about the dragon joke. They were looking for a mythical dragon to breathe fire on their teachers!!!! But what an excellent way for them to learn the difference between fantasy and reality, as well as a social studies and science lesson. .... Great Bearded Dragon ....Cross curricular instruction at its finest!!! Thanks guys!!!! Your program was awesome.

Brianna Harter

These people are only about making money. They have nothing to do with preserving the wildlife and their cages are disgusting at best. I would not recommend sending any child or even intern here. They go against what they say and put on a front for the public so they seem like a legitimate operation. Theyre a rip off at best and should not be trusted.

Lori Embry

Yes, I am one of the many parents that has not received the picture our children that was taken sometime ago. I would like a reply to inform me why the rest of the pictures have not been received. I know the school has tried to contact you many time in regards to this and has had no response form you.

Vanessa Sensabaugh

Today the Barn Hill Preserve team came to our school. I must say I was thoroughly impressed with their knowledge of the animals and how they kept the students engaged. the transition from one animal to the next was smooth and professional. I would like to have them come again next year.

Kelly Shipes

Seeing these animals was a wonderful experience for my young students. They were given a lot of details and information about the animals. The children left excited and couldnt stop talking about the different animals. Would Def. recommend this show.

Jessica Young

This was such a great experience for our students and for us teachers! Bailey and Mitch were so good with the kids. My students were 100% enthralled with their presentation. Thanks for providing such an exciting, unforgettable moment for my school.

Josh Mueller

Had a fantastic time at Barn Hill today. Got to pet my first kangaroo! Very reasonably priced and got a free pumpkin out of it. I highly recommend it especially if you have kids since it is such a friendly and family oriented place.

Aaron Tiffee

Fantastic place for an outdoor outing with the kids especially if they are an animal lover. Spring a little extra for the sloth and otter interaction. Very clean and well maintained. Get up and personal with the animals

Whiskey Baby

The staff is so friendly and the animals seem to really like people. Clide the camel comes right up to you and lets you pet him! We had a great time. Well definitely come back next year for their pumpkin patch!

A Derstine

A wonderful presentation for our Kindergarten and First grade classes. The students loved seeing the animals and learned a lot. We will look forward to having Barn Hill Preserve back to our campus next year!