The Catskill Game Farm

The Catskill Game Farm is located in Catskill, NY. The game farm was the first privately owned zoo in the United States. It opened its doors in 1933 and was active until 2006, when all animals and equipment were auctioned off. Today the zoo lies in ruins, with a boutique hotel that opened in 2019 as well as glamping sites. Today you can explore the zoo on your own with permission from the owners.

The zoo was once home to over 2,000 animals and 150 different species from around the world. The zoo spanned 914 acres, with approximately 136 of that being open to the public. It was a well known and popular family attraction in the Catskill region for many years.

Fun fact: Do you remember the world famous giraffe that caught the internet’s attention in 2017 with her extended pregnancy? She was born at the Catskill Game Farm in 2002 and resided there until the closing in 2006.

Exploring the old catskill game farm
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A once crowded pathway at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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The exterior of a horse barn that once housed horses at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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Interior stall of a barn on the abandoned Catskill Game Farm property. 2018.
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An animal shelter sits abandoned on the Catskill Game Farm property. 2018.
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A path leading to a souvenir shop at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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Interior stall of an animal barn at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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A house inside the children’s play area of the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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An old sign in storage at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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The interior of a barn at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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A power box on the interior of a barn at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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The bleachers at the animal theater. 2018.
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A souvenir/snack bar the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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A pavilion at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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The train station at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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A house in the children’s play area. 2018.
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Some old signs in storage. 2018.
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An old animal cage. 2018.
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A old empty food dish. 2018.
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An old stroller sits on the grounds of the Game Farm. 2018.
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A water fountain on the grounds of the Game Farm. 2018.
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Some old feeding dishes. 2018.
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A sign that sits inside the ticket booth of the old train station. 2018.
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A well sitting on the grounds of the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.
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An old sign in storage. 2018.
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The entrance to the old train ride at the Game Farm. 2018.
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A harness still hanging in one of the barns on the property. 2018.
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One of the abandoned buildings on the property. 2018.
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The entrance of the African Section of the zoo. 2018.
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Some old magazines and notebooks inside one of the shops. 2018.
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A directional sign at the Catskill Game Farm. 2018.

If you are interested in learning more or spending the night in one of the many glamourous options now available for visitors, visit their website at here. And as always, if you do visit be respectful of the property and the owners.