Circle M Safari Park opens March 7 for Cleveland County visitors

Circle M Safari Park opened March 7 with a safari wagon ride across pastureland in Shelby, where visitors can see camels from Africa, fallow deer from Europe, emu from Australia, water buffalo from Asia and bison from North America. That mix gives Cleveland County families something different from a standard zoo trip: the animals are close enough to feel immersive, but the visit is built around a hay-wagon tour instead of long walks between exhibits.

The park’s setup is what makes it stand out locally. Its walk-through exhibits add lemurs, capybara, tortoises, kangaroos, antelope and porcupines, while the petting zoo barn includes miniature cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, alpacas and more. The county has already placed Circle M on its Cleveland County kids activities list, alongside other family stops, reflecting how quickly the park has become part of the area’s regular outing map rather than just a one-time novelty.

For families deciding where to spend a Saturday, the experience is geared toward children who want more than a quick animal look. Circle M describes the property as a place where kids discover adventure, imagination and hands-on animal fun, and the park’s lineup backs that up. A family can start with the wagon ride, move into the walk-through exhibits and finish at the petting barn, making it an easy half-day plan for parents, grandparents and homeschool groups looking for something close to Shelby.

The park also has the feel of a family-run operation rather than a polished chain attraction. Colton Morris founded Circle M Safari Park, and he operates it with his partner, Meg, and their young son, Vance. Morris grew up around a family collection of alternative livestock and exotic animals, which helps explain why the park feels built around personal experience with animals instead of a generic roadside petting setup.

Circle M has also positioned itself for repeat visits. Along with the safari rides and animal encounters, the park offers a capybara encounter, 2026 summer camp, field-trip booking, season passes, animal rentals and nativity offerings. Its public hours are Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it is closed Monday through Thursday, a schedule that fits best for planned weekend trips rather than impulse stops. For Cleveland County families looking for an outing that feels local but unusual, Circle M is built to be revisited, not just checked off once.