This Abandoned Zoo In New York Lets You Stay Overnight And Explore What’s Left Behind In 2026
Staying overnight somewhere unusual instantly makes a trip more memorable, and this New York destination takes that idea in a completely unexpected direction.
Set on the grounds of an abandoned zoo, it offers a rare chance to explore what is left behind while experiencing the space after dark, when everything feels quieter and a little more mysterious.
The remains of old enclosures, pathways, and structures create an atmosphere that is equal parts fascinating and surreal. It is not about crowds or typical attractions, but about wandering through a place with a story that still lingers in the details.
By 2026, it has become one of those experiences people talk about long after they leave, especially because spending the night here adds a whole new layer to the visit.
A Place Where History And Wilderness Collide In The Most Unexpected Way
There are destinations that simply check boxes, and then there are places that rewrite the way you think about travel entirely. The Old Catskill Game Farm belongs firmly in the second category.
Founded in 1933 by Roland Lindemann, this property once operated as the largest privately owned zoo in the United States, drawing families from across the Northeast for over seven decades before closing in 2006.
What remains today is something far more compelling than a typical attraction. More than 100 original animal shelters still stand across the property, some overtaken by climbing vines, others simply weathered and quiet.
The 3.5 miles of original paved walkways still wind through the grounds, leading visitors past enclosures that once held giraffes, lions, zebras, and countless other species.
The land itself stretches across hundreds of acres, connecting to over 20 miles of maintained hiking and mountain biking trails. Standing in the middle of those old paths, surrounded by the sounds of the Catskill woods, gives you a feeling that is hard to name but easy to remember.
Fun fact: the zoo was open for 73 years before closing, making it one of the longest-running private zoos in American history.
The Old Catskill Game Farm And Its Remarkable Second Chapter
Located at 400 Game Farm Road in Catskill, New York, The Old Catskill Game Farm has undergone one of the more thoughtful transformations in the region.
Rather than being demolished or left entirely to decay, the property was rescued and carefully reimagined as a destination that honors its original character while offering genuine comfort to modern visitors.
The centerpiece of this reinvention is the Long Neck Inn, a boutique hotel built within the original giraffe barn. The conversion is handled with real sensitivity to the building’s past, keeping original signage, structural elements of the old stalls, and historical artifacts woven into the decor.
Six bedrooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom, fill the space with warmth and personality.
Guests of the inn enjoy amenities including an indoor jacuzzi, a sauna, a full chef’s kitchen stocked with everything needed for a proper meal, high-speed Wi-Fi, and an outdoor fire pit that becomes the natural gathering point after dark.
The property is also pet-friendly, which means four-legged travel companions are welcome to join in.
Staying here genuinely feels like sleeping inside a living museum, one that has been made extraordinarily comfortable without losing its soul.
Glamping On Grounds That Once Roared With Animal Life
Not every traveler wants a hotel room, and the folks behind The Old Catskill Game Farm clearly understand that.
The Tentrr glamping sites scattered across the property offer a completely different kind of overnight experience, one that leans into the wildness of the surrounding landscape rather than softening it.
Each site comes equipped with a queen-size memory foam mattress, a private fire pit, and a grill, making it easy to settle in without sacrificing comfort. The sites are nestled within hundreds of acres of uninhabited land, which means the sense of seclusion here is genuine rather than manufactured.
Waking up to birdsong and rustling leaves, with the knowledge that old animal enclosures are just a short walk away, adds a layer of atmosphere that no standard campground can replicate.
Options include wooded sites and overlook sites, each offering a slightly different relationship with the terrain. The property’s scale works in your favor here because even when other guests are present, the sheer size of the land keeps things feeling private.
Bringing sturdy shoes, a good flashlight, and a sense of curiosity will serve you well. The grounds are entirely yours to explore at your own pace, which is a genuinely rare kind of freedom.
Wandering Through 200 Acres Of Quietly Fascinating Ruins
Exploration is the main event at The Old Catskill Game Farm, and the property delivers on that promise with remarkable generosity. Overnight guests have full access to more than 200 acres of the original zoo grounds, giving them room to roam in a way that feels genuinely unscripted.
The 3.5 miles of original paved walkways provide a natural route, though wandering off the beaten path is very much part of the charm.
More than 100 old animal shelters remain standing across the property, each one a quiet record of the zoo’s long operating history. Some structures still carry faded signage identifying the species that once lived within them.
Others have been softened by years of weather and vegetation, creating a kind of accidental beauty that photographers tend to find irresistible.
Wearing sturdy footwear is strongly recommended because the terrain varies and some areas require careful footing. Bringing a camera is practically mandatory given how many compelling compositions present themselves around every turn.
The property also connects to over 20 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, extending the adventure well beyond the zoo grounds themselves.
Exploring here feels less like sightseeing and more like a personal expedition through a place that has quietly held its breath for nearly two decades.
Animal-Themed Rooms That Make Every Night An Experience
Each of the six bedrooms inside the Long Neck Inn carries its own distinct personality, with animal-themed decor that nods to the zoo’s original residents without tipping into kitsch.
Rooms like the Zebra Room and the Giraffe Room are finished with care, combining comfort and character in a way that feels considered rather than gimmicky.
Original signage from the zoo’s operating years appears throughout the building, grounding the aesthetic in genuine history.
Every room includes a private en-suite bathroom, individual air conditioning, and beds that guests consistently describe as genuinely comfortable.
The ground-floor bedroom is particularly convenient for anyone who prefers to avoid stairs, making the inn accessible to a wider range of guests.
Fresh farm eggs from the property’s own chickens sometimes greet guests in the kitchen upon arrival, which is a small touch that lands with surprising warmth.
The common areas of the inn are equally well-appointed, featuring a large living room with plenty of seating, a game room, and a dedicated coffee bar stocked with a Keurig, pods, teas, an electric kettle, and an assortment of creamers and sweeteners.
The inn can accommodate groups of up to 19 people comfortably, making it an outstanding choice for family reunions or group getaways seeking something far from ordinary.
Goats, Chickens, And The Living Side Of A Historic Property
The Old Catskill Game Farm may no longer house lions and giraffes, but it has not entirely shed its identity as a place where animals and humans share space.
The property is home to resident goats that roam the grounds with a confidence that suggests they consider themselves the rightful owners of the place.
Guests regularly encounter them near the entrance or along the property’s pathways, and the interactions tend to be one of the more genuinely delightful surprises of a stay here.
Chickens also call the property home, and their contribution is both charming and practical. Fresh eggs collected from the coops occasionally appear in the inn’s kitchen, ready for guests to use in their own cooking.
Some guests have even had the chance to collect eggs themselves, which turns a simple farm chore into a surprisingly memorable moment, especially for younger visitors.
The caretaker of the property, Shawn, is known for offering guided hikes across the 200-acre grounds accompanied by the goats, which sounds unusual but turns out to be one of the highlights many guests mention long after their stay.
His deep familiarity with the property’s history makes these tours genuinely informative and entertaining.
The animals here are not a performance; they are simply part of daily life on a property that has always been about creatures great and small.
Planning Your Visit To This One-Of-A-Kind New York Destination
Booking in advance is strongly recommended for The Old Catskill Game Farm, particularly during warmer months when demand for both the inn and the glamping sites runs high. The official website at theoldgamefarm.com handles reservations directly and provides current information on availability and pricing.
Arriving with a loose itinerary rather than a rigid schedule tends to suit the property best, since the grounds reward unhurried exploration.
The surrounding Catskills region adds considerable value to any trip here. Nearby attractions include Howe Caverns, the Zoom Flume water park, North Lake, and a collection of scenic waterfalls accessible by trail.
Local dining options in the area cover a range of tastes, and the inn’s well-equipped kitchen makes self-catering a genuinely enjoyable option for groups who prefer cooking together.
Packing practically will serve you well on this trip. Sturdy walking shoes, insect repellent, and a camera are the three items most worth adding to your bag before leaving home.
The property holds a 4.6-star rating from guests who have experienced it firsthand, which reflects the consistency of what it delivers. Few places in New York offer this particular combination of history, nature, comfort, and open-ended adventure all within a single property boundary.