The Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo is just a little off the beaten path outside of Sevierville. It feels a little more like a farm than a zoo. Upon arrival, go through the welcome center and gift shop, where you will pay for admission and get a very brief orientation. Then you'll simply head through the rear of the welcome center to the grounds, where among others, you'll be able to see both one (dromedary) and two-hump (bactrian) camels, as well as zebras, llamas, reindeer and scottish cattle ("hairy coos").
The animals are contained in spacious open pens on a gentle slope with easy to follow foot paths. Most of the animals are extremely tame. Those that aren't, like certain male deer during mating season, are in specially marked pens, and you are advised of them as you start your tour. Any animal that approaches you either through, or as in the case of camels, over a fence can be treated as tame, and is usually just looking for a handout. Some animals prefer their solitude. Kangaroos, wallabies and prairie dogs in particular are usually out in plain sight, but don't normally approach their fences.
There are animals here that would be difficult to find anywhere else in the USA, most of which will eat right out of your hand. Feed can be purchased on site for as little as $1.50 and includes a souvenir cup. The goat and deer pens are gated so that you can wander among them if you wish. Children especially enjoy the goats.
Pony and horseback rides are available as well. Pony rides are $3.75, which is refundable if your child won't get in or stay in the saddle. Thirty and sixty minute horseback rides, for which reservations are recommended, are $14.95 and $19.95 respectively.
There are picnic tables at the pony stables so that this outing can be combined with lunch.
See the web site at http://www.deerfarmzoo.com/