The Lazy 5 Ranch is located at 15100 Mooresville Road in Mooresville, North Carolina. The ranch is an exotic animal drive thru park. Featuring a 3.5 mile safari through North Carolina's sloping pasturelands, the park is the only one of its kind in the Southeast. Visitors can feed the animals, and the park is home to more than 750 animals from six different continents.
Operated by Henry Hampton, the ranch is privately owned by Hampton and receives no state or federal funding. Hampton has over 35 years of experience working with exotic animals. School groups used to visit his home to try to catch a glimpse of the exotic animals he kept in the barn. Upon realizing the possibilities for entertainment and education, Hampton began planning for a park that would allow visitors to experience his animal collection more fully. The Lazy 5 Ranch officially opened on May 22, 1993.
The park is constantly changing, as new animal varieties and exhibits are added to the ranch. The goal of the Lazy 5 Ranch is to entertain and educate while providing a safe environment that aids the recovery of endangered species like the Scimitar Horned Oryx, the Grevy Zebra, and the Ring-tailed Lemur.
The Lazy 5 Ranch offers several features that are designed to enhance the visitors' experience. A Petting Area is available. Visitors can walk through the Petting Area and feed the animals. The Petting Area is home to llamas, camels, sheep, goats and variety of smaller animals and birds. A shaded picnic area is available for guest use, and the Snack Shack sells refreshments like nachos, cotton candy, ice cream, and assorted drinks and snacks. There is a playground in the picnic area. The playground contains slides and allows children to walk the planks of Noah's Ark.
Wagon loading and unloading takes place at the Horse Barn. Horses are fed and harnessed at the Horse Barn prior to the daily wagon rides. The Antique Horse Barn is over 100 years old. Made of logs, the Antique Horse Barn is the Lazy 5 Ranch's original barn from the time when the ranch was an operating agricultural farm.
The Blacksmith Shop is next to the Horse Barn, and the ranch's blacksmith is available to answer questions about blacksmithing. The Trading Post offers visitors a place to purchase gifts and souvenirs.
Visitors can drive through the park in their own vehicle or choose to experience the park while on a horse drawn wagon ride. Anyone interested in horse drawn wagon rides can call 704-663-5100 to make reservations.
The Lazy 5 Ranch is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until one hour before sunset. On Sunday, the ranch is open from 1:00pm until one hour before sunset. General Admission is $8.50 for adults. General admission for both children (ages 2-11) and seniors (age 60 and above) is $5.50. Wagon rides are $5 for adults. Wagon rides for both children (ages 2-11) and seniors (age 60 and above) are $3. Special group rates are available to groups of 15 or more. The group rate is $5 for general admission and $2.50 for wagon rides. Buckets of animal feed are available for $3 each.
Party tents are available for special occasions. In addition, the ranch is available for birthday parties and school trips. Gift bags are offered to schools at a discounted price. Gift bag orders should be placed at least two weeks in advance. Gift bags consist of canvas totes that bear the Lazy 5 Ranch motif. The totes include a Lazy 5 pen, a Lazy 5 postcard, and animal paddle ball toy, and an animal mask.
The Lazy 5 Ranch does not accept credit or debit cards. Any additional information about the ranch can be obtained by calling 704-663-5100.
