A camel that grabs a bucket of feed and keeps the bucket. A baby kangaroo held in someone’s arms. A sloth that gets its own hour of attention.
All of this sits on a big farm tucked back from the road in central Arkansas, and it is open only two days a week. Families drive more than an hour to get there, and some say they would pick it over a traditional zoo. This article walks through the animals, the rides, the playground, the costs, and the few things worth knowing before the gate opens.
Keep reading to plan a weekend outing that feels very different from the usual routine.
A Big Farm Tucked Off Ed Haymes Road
Cockrill’s Country Critters sits at 2703 Ed Haymes Rd, Austin, AR 72007, United States. It is classed as a zoo, though regulars describe it more as a hands-on farm where animals roam close to people.
The property is tucked back from the road, which makes the drive part of the adventure. Those who make the trip say the effort pays off once they spot the first goat heading their way.
Austin is a small town in Lonoke County, in central Arkansas. The farm has built a following well beyond the area, with a 4.7 star average from more than 400 ratings.
Expect a large property with pens, pavilions, a playground and plenty of free-roaming animals. Plan on spending a good stretch of time, since many guests mention wandering around for an hour or more without feeling hurried.
Details like admission, add-ons and hours come later in this article. For now, the headline is simple: this is a big, busy animal farm with a lot more going on than a typical petting pen.
The Story Behind the Critters
Plenty of animal attractions begin as a hobby, and this one grew from the vision of owners Janice and Eddie. Guests describe them as people who love both their creatures and the families who come to meet them.
The farm has gone through a rebuild after a fire. Owner responses note that many things changed afterward, and that construction was still ongoing, including a pavilion planned before fence work begins.
That ongoing work explains why some animals wander freely. The owners have said they hope new fencing will cut down on free-ranging animals over time.
Care is a common theme in the praise. Guests say the animals look healthy, tame and well tended, and one homeschool group even got a tour from a vet tech who shared facts about the exotic residents.
The owners have also said they work hard to keep up with animal health while making sure guests have a good time. It is a balance that shows in how relaxed the place feels.
Camels Steal the Spotlight
Camels top the list of most-mentioned attractions here, and the title promise of a camel ride is real. Rides are an add-on, listed by one family at roughly ten to fifteen dollars.
That same family skipped the ride because they had tried camel rides before and found them a bit rough. Anyone who has never been on one may still want to give it a go.
Camels also join the feeding fun. One guest laughed about a camel that snatched both the feed and the bucket itself.
The lesson is easy to learn: hold the bucket tightly and keep a sense of humor. The camels are clearly confident about their snack rights.
Beyond the rides, the camels are simply a draw for first-time viewers. Several guests say they saw these animals up close for the first time at this farm, which is a rare thing in Arkansas.
Kangaroos and the Baby Roo Hold
Kangaroos are one of the farm’s biggest surprises for a place so far from Australia. Guests can feed them from a bucket, and some can hold a baby kangaroo for an extra fee.
The kangaroo hold was listed at ten dollars in one owner response. The owners say they set that price to keep too many hands off the young animals.
Availability can change. In one case, the only baby roo was away that day for a small medical procedure, so a family met older kangaroos instead.
That shows how the animals come first. It also means expectations are best kept flexible when asking about the baby experience.
Guests who did get the baby hold call it a highlight, and it is among the popular topics tied to the farm. Ask staff about timing when you arrive.
Sloth Encounters for Bucket-List Chasers
Some guests drive here for one reason: the sloth. Those who book the sloth encounter describe an unhurried hour of feeding and cuddling, led by an owner who shares plenty of facts.
Several people say the experience had been on their bucket list for years. A sloth named Ginger gets special praise for being sweet and lovable.
The relaxed pace matters here. Guests say they were not rushed and felt welcomed like family.
Other animals can be part of the same trip. One couple fed the other animals and toured the property after their sloth time, and called it a date day.
Guests also mention holding a monkey or a kangaroo. Since encounters are special experiences, it makes sense to ask the farm ahead about availability and cost.
Feed Buckets and a Goat Welcome Committee
Goats act as the greeting party. Guests report that they swarm anyone with a bucket right at the start.
Feed buckets cost five dollars each, and one owner response says they were made bigger when the price rose by two dollars. Families say a bucket or two is enough to give every animal a small snack.
Peacocks, pigs, sheep, kangaroos, camels and horses are all on the list of animals to feed. A few of them are semi wild, so adults should stay close to children.
The animals that come near try to be gentle, but safety remains the guest’s job. Keep a firm grip on the bucket and go slowly.
Animal crackers have also been suggested by one fan as a treat to bring for the creatures, though staff can say what is allowed.
Ponies, Hayrides, and One Simple Price
Pony rides and the hayride are two of the most-mentioned features. General admission was listed at fifteen dollars in past accounts, and it covered the hayride, pony ride and reptile room.
The pony ride has a weight limit of 90 pounds, according to one family’s account. Check current details with the farm before you go.
The owners have said they try to keep one price so families do not pay again and again. That approach was part of why guests felt the cost was worth it.
The hayride sometimes uses a tractor-pulled trailer instead of hay, as one school group found. It still gives a good look at the huge property.
Children under one were free in older accounts. Prices may have shifted since then, so a quick call or website check is wise.
Reptiles, Birds, and a Snake Hold
The visit often begins indoors. Guests say the first stop has several reptiles and birds that sit behind barriers, so close contact is limited.
Snakes are a different story. Small ones can be held and touched at no charge, while a six foot snake hold was listed at five dollars in one account.
One daughter even held a snake and her parents counted it among the wonderful moments of their second visit.
For kids who are nervous about animals, the indoor room is a gentle warm-up. It gives them time to settle in before the goats come charging.
Ferrets and ring-tailed lemurs also get mentions, adding even more variety for those who like exotic animals.
Alpacas, Pigs, and the Baby Animal Parade
Babies show up often. Guests have met a newborn alpaca, a baby cow, lots of piglets and even baby chicks.
Pigs and alpacas both appear on the popular topics list. Those who ask politely may be allowed to get close to bunnies or pigs, and one child got to hold a bunny.
Animals come in a wide mix, from full-grown goats to emus, turkeys and peacocks. Some roam freely and may follow guests around the grounds.
Anyone who is afraid of free-range animals should know that before arriving. For the rest, it adds to the charm.
The overall feeling is that the animals enjoy company. Guests say they seem excited to see people and respond well to young children.
Playground, Picnic Tables, and Kid Breaks
When animal time winds down, there is a playground with plenty of equipment. Park tables nearby give families a spot to rest.
One parent says her autistic daughter loved the playground most, though she enjoyed the animals too. That makes it a helpful pause for kids who need a calmer activity.
An indoor eating area for children was described as clean, and so were the restrooms. Those details matter on a long day with young ones.
Concessions are available as well, though costs are separate from admission. One family spent about 110 dollars for four including feed and a kangaroo hold, not counting snacks.
Plan a budget for add-ons before you go so the day stays stress-free.
Who This Farm Suits Best
This is a family outing first. Guests bring toddlers, school groups, birthday parties and homeschool groups, and children of any age seem to fit in.
Adults enjoy it too, especially couples who book the sloth time as a date day. Those are separate experiences from the kid-focused fun, so match the plan to your group.
Shy children may need time to warm up. One family says one member was a little timid around animals but still had fun.
The farm also hosts camps. Feedback on Critter Camp has been mixed, with two families disappointed in the activities and the heat-related indoor time, so read the camp description closely and ask questions before signing up.
For general admission days, praise is far more common, especially for helpful staff who answer questions patiently.
Hours, Costs, and Best Time to Go
The farm keeps a short schedule. It is open Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 1 to 6 PM, and closed the other five days.
Admission figures in past accounts were fifteen dollars per person, with add-ons such as feed buckets and special holds. Prices can change, so confirm on the website at cockrillscountrycritters.com.
Fall and spring get the nod from guests, since animals can be less active in the heat. Summer visits can be very hot.
The address is 2703 Ed Haymes Rd, Austin, AR 72007. Since it sits back from the road, give yourself a little extra time to find it.
Wear closed shoes and bring patience for the goat greeting line.
The Verdict on a Weekend With Camels and Kangaroos
With a 4.7 average across more than 400 ratings, the farm earns warm marks for its animals, its friendly staff and its variety. A few families wanted smoother communication on camps and a better fit between cost and the baby kangaroo hold.
Most guests leave planning a return trip. Some even call it better than a typical zoo because the animals are so close and the pace is relaxed.
For a weekend that feels memorable, this Austin farm delivers a lot of surprises. Bring a few feed buckets, a sense of humor and a firm grip on your snacks.
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