I never thought I’d find myself scrubbing an elephant in southern Indiana, but here we are. Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli, Indiana is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take when you first hear about it.
Over 1,100 acres of rolling hills and forest, exotic animals roaming open land, zip lines cutting through the treetops, and encounters you’d normally have to fly halfway around the world to experience. For those of us who grew up in Indiana thinking the most exciting outdoor adventure nearby was a state park hike, Wilstem genuinely changes the game.
It sits just off US-150 in Orange County, close enough for a day trip from Louisville, Indianapolis, or Bloomington, but big enough to fill an entire weekend. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a unique anniversary trip, or just need something wildly different to do, this place delivers in ways most Indiana attractions simply don’t.
Elephant Encounters You Won’t Find Anywhere Else in Indiana
There are not many places in the entire Midwest where you can stand next to a living, breathing elephant and actually interact with her. At Wilstem, the elephant encounters are the crown jewel of the whole experience…