International Conservation Center — Attraction in Allegheny Township

We spent a magical 20 hours feeling like we escaped to a faraway place. We experienced the first ever event, “From Tusk Till Dawn.” A camping adventure for 21+ hosted at the sprawling 1,000 acre International Conservation Center in Fairhope, PA!

We had such an amazing time here. We learned about conservation science & education taking place here with endangered African elephants, critically endangered bactrian camels and American bison. We got to see beautiful Jackson, the male elephant tied to half of all births in North America in the past decade!

We camped under the stars, enjoyed a late night hike, enjoyed sharing stories with new friends over meals & a campfire. And in the morning we took a wagon ride through the property where we saw the elephants, camels & bison grazing on their land.

We saw up close and personal the love and passion the staff have for caring for the animals and teaching others about them & conservation of their species. Our hosts, Sarah and Heidi spent so much time with our small group and made this a memorable event! We can’t wait to come back & we highly recommend checking out their events offered...

The International Conservation Center (ICC) is part of the Pittsburgh Zoo, but it is located almost two hours away in Somerset County. The ICC researches and breeds elephants and also does research on other animals such as butterflies. On the Pittsburgh Zoo's website, I purchased a family ticket for $250 to do an elephant encounter. My ticket said to show up at 10 AM, and an email told me to show up 15 minutes early. ICC employees somehow thought that our encounter would begin at 10:30 AM, so we started the encounter 30 minutes late. The employees were apologetic, and they treated us to an extra-long elephant encounter that lasted 75 minutes rather than the original 30 minutes. The employees talked to us and answered our questions about their current four elephants. The elephants performed exercises and tricks, such as lifting their legs for treats and kicking a ball back and forth. An elephant used its trunk to hold a paint brush and make two paintings, which we took home with us. I do not think that many people know about the ICC, but it is worth a visit if you love zoos and if you are in the...

We had an incredible time at the family camp and can’t recommend it highly enough! From start to finish, the experience was seamless, relaxing, and fun for all ages.

The camping setup was easy and stress-free, even for the first-time campers. The facilities were spotless with shared bathrooms, shower, and a fully equipped kitchen. It truly felt like the best of both worlds: the joys of nature without sacrificing comfort.

What made the experience truly special, though, was our host and guide, Jenn. She and her team created such a warm, welcoming atmosphere and were always available to help and answer questions. Jenn’s organization and love for the outdoors made everything feel effortless and safe.

We left feeling refreshed, connected, and already planning our return. If you’re looking for a family-friendly camp experience with just the right blend of adventure and...