Who doesn't love animals? You might have a brand new puppy at home or a curmudgeonly cat who feels he runs the entire household, but how often do you get to see wild animals up close and personal? Animals are a feature of many U.S. outdoor vacations, and Arbuckle Wilderness is no exception.

We used to go to Arbuckle at least once a year when I was a teenager, and some of my favorite memories include staring out the window of my parents' minivan, watching the animals as they grazed on lush vegetation or herded one another from one end of the park to another.

Animals you'll find in Arbuckle Wilderness range from giraffes to monkeys to lions and tigers to zebras, goats and even rhinoceroses.

Arbuckle Wilderness offers a number of activities, from hay rides with knowledgeable park rangers to walk-thru and drive-thru tours of the animals. Visitors can purchase feed cups with which to charm the more docile animals, and they arrange cook-outs for large parties and family reunions. The walk-thru zoo allows you to pet and sometimes feed the animals, including monkeys and lemurs.

Even if you aren't quite as fascinated by animals as I've always been, you and the kids will probably enjoy the amusement park at Arbuckle Wilderness. It doesn't hold a candle to Six Flags or Disney World, but Go-Carts and Bumper Boats have a certain charm. The walk-thru zoo allows you to pet and sometimes feed the animals, including monkeys and lemurs.

If you want to stay in the Arbuckle area, you might want to check out the log cabins, cottages and lake houses they offer for rent throughout the region.

It gets chilly in the evenings at Arbuckle Wilderness, even in the summer time, so you'll want to pack a sweatshirt or two, such as the Ezekiel Nevermind Reversible Hoodie (for women) or Adio Repent Hoodie (for men.) You might also want a pair of sturdy hiking boots to protect your feet and a camera to capture the event.

Make sure you also bring some spare cash if you want to feed the animals or ride the rides! Arbuckle Wilderness is located off Interstate-35 in Murray County, Oklahoma, about one hour from OKC and about two hours from Dallas, Texas.