Get Up Close And Personal With Over 450 Alligators At Gator Country In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published March 17, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Texas has no shortage of animal sanctuaries, but this one tops them all in terms of uniqueness. Gator Country, located off I-10 in Beaumont, is home to nearly 500 alligators — including two of the nation’s largest — and many other animals you don’t see every day.
If you've ever driven on I-10 near Beaumont, this larger-than-life, alligator-shaped building probably rings a bell. More than just a quirky roadside attraction, it marks the entrance to a truly fascinating animal park.
With over 450 American alligators plus crocodiles and various other animals, Gator Country is the largest sanctuary of its kind in Southeast Texas. The 15-acre preserve offers a family-friendly experience that proves both fun and educational, letting visitors observe the massive reptiles in their natural habitat.
In accordance with the record-setting theme, Gator Country is also home to the two largest live-captured nuisance alligators in the country. Big Al and Big Tex both measure in at over 13 feet long, weighing about 1,000 pounds each. While the general public isn't permitted into the enclosure with these behemoths, you'll certainly get a good look!
Guests are allowed to stroll through the park at their leisure, perusing the educational exhibits and ponds teeming with hundreds of chomping jaws. You even get the opportunity to hold a baby gator! They're surprisingly adorable.
General admission is $16 for everyone 13 and over, and $13 for ages 3-12. This includes watching the gators interact with handlers, firsthand animal encounters, and pictures.
To get the most out of your trip, consider opting for the Adventure Package. It's $22 for all ages, and includes an educational show, hands-on experience, one bag of feed, a picture with a large snake or lizard, and even wading with gators (don't worry -- they're small and have tape over their mouths.)
A petting zoo with goats, raccoons, and several other adorable critters add even more variety. You can also take a swamp tour of Taylor Bayou and marvel at bald cypress trees covered in Spanish moss, many different bird species, and -- of course -- gators!
