An inviting archway welcomes visitors to the woodlands of Bearizona, a new attraction near Route 66 in Williams, Ariz. (BARBARA TAYLOR/QMI Agency)

One expects things to be a little bit wild in Arizona. But is it too much when bears and bison, wolves and sheep with giant 14-kg. horns start ambling up to your vehicle?

Sean Casey doesn't think so. In fact, he encourages it.

Casey opened the aptly named Bearizona drive-through wilderness park near Williams last year with a mission to get man and beast better acquainted.

Located not far from historic Route 66, aka Interstate 40, and a day trip from the Grand Canyon, Bearizona was created with a goal of conservation and preservation through educational encounters.

Our family was among the first tourists to drive through the forest park last summer, travelling along a 4 km roadway through fenced enclosures of wild animals native to North America. It's an awesome and educational experience for young eyes plus a dynamic opportunity for amateur shutterbugs and videographers.

Passing underneath a specially designed archway, the route takes visitors into a forest and past bighorn sheep, mountain goats, doll sheep, into a special black bear enclosure, past wolves and bison. Smaller animals on display include javelina (a wild pig-like desert animal), red fox and skunk.

The second phase of the 64-hectare, $15 million park is under construction. It will feature an education centre, neonatal area and walk-through park. More animals, including armadillos, Canadian lynx, beavers and badgers, will be added.

Almost all animals in the park were born in captivity and hand-raised, although Bearizona also accepts rescued wild animals.

The park itself was designed with the environment in mind. Rainwater is recycled and waste material is composted and re-used. Solar energy provides power. And behind the created waterfalls and underneath the hills are junked buses and recreational vehicles -- their frames providing the height and framing for the man-made topography.

Operating a drive-through wilderness park is almost genetic for Casey. His parents, Pauline and Dennis "Doc" Casey created Bear Country USA decades ago in the Black Hills of South Dakota near Rapid City.

Choosing to start a new wilderness park half-way across America might seem like a stretch, but not really. While the family's South Dakota adventure capitalized on visitors to nearby Mt. Rushmore, Bearizona has a similar advantage with the Grand Canyon a one-hour drive away.

Many visitors choose to stay in Williams and ride the Grand Canyon Railway to what some call the most popular natural attraction in the nation.

Bearizona adds to a list of local attractions in Williams, where the downtown, lined with locally owned restaurants and bars, sits on the famous Route 66. Staged gunfights by actor cowboys add to the atmosphere and historical feel.

Visit: bearizona.com and thetrain.com.