Somewhere in Coker, Alabama, a two-acre property quietly holds one of the most unexpected wildlife experiences in the entire state. A unique animal sanctuary is home to more than 100 rescued turtles, tortoises, and a surprising mix of exotic reptiles and creatures that most people never expect to find in a small town.
Founded in 2017 with a deep passion for conservation, this hidden gem welcomes families, curious travelers, and animal lovers looking for something genuinely different. Visitors can get an up-close look at incredible reptiles while learning about rescue efforts, responsible care, and the importance of protecting these unique animals.
If you have ever wanted to see a massive tortoise in person or discover what it takes to care for rare reptiles, this destination offers an experience you will not soon forget.
You Can Watch Giant Tortoises Roam Open Enclosures
Few things prepare you for the sheer size of a full-grown tortoise moving through an open enclosure right in front of you. At That Turtle Place Sanctuary, located at 11926 Upper Columbus Rd, Coker, AL 35452, visitors get to observe over 100 rescued turtles and tortoises living in spacious, carefully designed habitats.
The enclosures are built to reflect each animal’s natural environment as closely as possible.
What makes this experience stand out is how unhurried it all feels. These animals are not behind thick glass or hidden in dim exhibits.
You are right there, watching them move, graze, and explore at their own slow, confident pace.
Giant tortoises can live for well over 100 years, which means some of the residents here have seen more of the world than most humans ever will. That thought alone makes watching them feel strangely humbling.
Visitors of all ages tend to stop and simply stare, taking in just how magnificent these creatures really are.
The sanctuary’s open layout makes it easy to observe multiple animals without feeling rushed. Families with young children especially enjoy this part of the visit because kids can see the animals up close without barriers making them feel distant.
Coming here with an open mind and comfortable shoes is all the preparation you really need.
Do Walk the Creek Trail Through Two Peaceful Acres
Not every great wildlife experience happens in front of an enclosure. Sometimes the best moments come while simply walking a quiet trail and letting the surroundings settle around you.
That Turtle Place Sanctuary offers visitors access to a nature creek trail that winds through the property’s two-acre landscape, offering a calm and grounding way to experience the space.
The trail is accessible for most visitors and provides a welcome contrast to the busier animal interaction areas. Walking it feels like a short retreat from everyday noise, with the sounds of birds, rustling leaves, and the occasional animal call filling the air around you.
Alabama’s natural scenery provides a genuinely beautiful backdrop for the whole experience.
One visitor described feeling both educated and relaxed at the same time during their trip, and the trail is a big reason why that balance works so well. It gives you room to breathe, reflect, and appreciate the broader environment the sanctuary has worked to preserve and maintain.
The trail is typically available throughout most of the year, though weather can occasionally affect access. Wearing comfortable walking shoes and bringing water is a smart move, especially during warmer months.
The property as a whole is well-kept and thoughtfully organized, making the trail feel like a natural extension of the sanctuary’s overall commitment to creating a welcoming and meaningful space for every visitor.
Plan a Private Tour Inside the New Educational Center
If you want more than a general visit, booking a private group tour at That Turtle Place Sanctuary takes the whole experience to another level entirely. These tours include a dedicated presentation inside the sanctuary’s newly built educational center, where you get focused time with animal ambassadors and the people who care for them daily.
Private tours are reasonably priced and give groups the freedom to explore the full property at their own pace after the formal presentation wraps up. This is especially popular for birthday parties, school groups, and families who want a more structured and immersive outing.
The sanctuary has hosted children’s birthday parties and group events with great success in the past.
The educational center is designed to make learning feel engaging rather than overwhelming. Presentations cover topics like tortoise biology, the challenges facing reptile populations worldwide, and what responsible animal ownership actually looks like in practice.
You leave knowing things you genuinely did not know when you arrived.
Booking in advance is strongly recommended since private tours fill up and the sanctuary operates on limited public hours. Reaching out through the sanctuary’s website at bighamfarmsandexoticssanctuary.godaddysites.com is the easiest way to check availability.
Groups that have visited consistently describe the experience as one of the most unique and worthwhile outings they have taken anywhere in the region.
Come Feed Aquatic Turtles Straight From Your Hand
There is something genuinely magical about holding out a small piece of food and watching a turtle glide through the water straight toward you. At That Turtle Place Sanctuary, visitors can purchase food cups and feed the aquatic turtles living in the rescue ponds on the property.
It is one of the most popular activities during public open days, and for good reason.
The turtles here are comfortable around people, which makes the interaction feel natural rather than forced. You do not need any special skills or prior experience with animals.
Just hold out the food, stay patient, and let the turtles come to you on their own terms.
This kind of hands-on contact creates a connection that a regular zoo visit rarely provides. Kids tend to light up the moment a turtle swims toward them, and adults often find themselves just as captivated.
The experience turns what might have been a casual visit into something genuinely memorable.
Feeding sessions also give you a chance to observe how aquatic turtles move and behave in water. Watching them navigate the pond with such ease is a reminder of how perfectly adapted these animals are to their environment.
The sanctuary is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM, so planning your visit around those hours is essential for catching this activity at its best.
Skip the Ordinary and Meet Monitor Lizards Up Close
Most people arrive at That Turtle Place Sanctuary expecting turtles and tortoises, and they get plenty of both. But the collection of reptiles here goes well beyond the shelled residents, and that surprise element is part of what makes the visit so memorable.
Monitor lizards, iguanas, and other exotic reptiles share the property and offer a completely different kind of encounter.
Monitor lizards are powerful, intelligent animals with a presence that commands attention. Seeing one up close, with its scaled skin, deliberate movements, and sharp eyes tracking everything around it, is an experience that stays with you long after you leave.
The sanctuary keeps these animals in enclosures that reflect their natural needs and allow visitors to observe them clearly.
Beyond the reptiles, the property is also home to peacocks, guinea fowl, turkeys, pigs, and even emus, making each walk through the sanctuary feel like a new discovery. The variety is genuinely surprising for a two-acre property, and the animals all appear healthy, calm, and well cared for.
That level of care is visible in every corner of the space.
Visitors who love wildlife but have never spent time around exotic reptiles often find this part of the visit the most eye-opening. Reptiles have a reputation for being cold and indifferent, but watching them in a thoughtfully managed environment changes that perception quickly.
Coming in with curiosity rather than caution makes all the difference.
Make This Your Go-To Spot for Family Birthday Parties
Finding a birthday party venue that genuinely excites both kids and adults is harder than it sounds. That Turtle Place Sanctuary has built a reputation as one of the most creative and memorable party locations in the Tuscaloosa County area.
The property includes a small playground for younger children and a dedicated setup area that makes hosting a celebration here straightforward and fun.
Party groups get to interact with the animals, explore the grounds, and enjoy a setting that feels completely unlike a typical event hall. The sanctuary’s owners work closely with families to make sure each event runs smoothly and that every guest, no matter their age, walks away with a story worth telling.
Past party hosts have described the experience as far exceeding their expectations.
The combination of open outdoor space, exotic animals, and a calm, welcoming atmosphere creates an environment where kids feel free to explore and engage rather than sit still. That kind of active, curiosity-driven celebration is increasingly hard to find, which is exactly why so many families keep coming back.
Purchasing food for the animals ahead of time so party guests can participate in feeding sessions adds another layer of interaction that children absolutely love. Reaching out to the sanctuary early to discuss dates and group sizes is the best approach.
The property is located in Coker, Alabama, making it accessible for families across the greater Tuscaloosa area looking for something genuinely original.
Support Rescued Reptiles Finding a Permanent Safe Home
Around 95 percent of the turtles and tortoises living at That Turtle Place Sanctuary arrived as surrendered or former pets. These are animals that once lived in homes and needed a new place to go when their owners could no longer care for them properly.
The sanctuary provides exactly that: a permanent, safe, and thoughtfully managed home where each animal’s long-term health comes first.
Visiting the sanctuary is one of the most direct ways to support this rescue mission. Entrance fees, membership options starting at just five dollars per month, and food cup purchases all go toward the ongoing care of the animals and the upkeep of the property.
The membership option is particularly appealing for local visitors who want to return regularly and watch the animals and the sanctuary grow over time.
The founders built this place out of genuine passion for reptile conservation, and that commitment shows in how the facility is maintained. Every enclosure is clean, every animal appears healthy, and the overall environment feels like a place where real care is being invested every single day.
That consistency does not happen by accident.
Supporting a place like this matters beyond the visit itself. Reptiles and turtles face serious threats from habitat loss, illegal trade, and the exotic pet industry.
Choosing to spend an afternoon at That Turtle Place Sanctuary means putting your time and money behind an organization that is actively working to make things better for these remarkable animals.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
