A reindeer and yak farm with hay rides, pedal karts and a different festival every Saturday this fall. One admission covers the whole farm, twenty minutes from Gaylord in the woods of Northern Michigan.
Welcome To Wilderness Valley Farm
Wilderness Valley Farm is a family farm attraction and one of the newest things to do near Gaylord, Michigan: a reindeer and yak farm in the woods of Otsego County, twenty minutes from downtown.
Hand-feed the animals, ride the hay wagon, race the pedal karts, and catch a different festival every Saturday of the fall season, all included with one admission. This is our second season, and we built it around the things families told us they loved most in our first.
Included With Admission
There is always something happening at Wilderness Valley Farm. Spend the day enjoying family-friendly farm activities, including pedal karts, the barrel train, playgrounds, the tractor tire park, and rotating kids’ activities throughout the season. With new attractions added every year, our Michigan family farm offers fresh adventures, hands-on fun, and unforgettable memories for kids and adults alike.
Rotating hands-on activities for the kids, changing throughout the season.
Race the paved pedal cart track that loops through the farm lawn.
A farm favorite. Hop aboard the barrel train for a ride around the grounds.
Traditional playground equipment and balance beams with room to run.
Climb, jump and burn off energy in the tractor tire park.
Ride the tractor-pulled hay wagon around the farm and out past the pastures.
Up Close With The Herd
Wilderness Valley Farm is a hands-on petting farm near Gaylord, Michigan. Hand-feed the reindeer, cuddle a bottle calf, ride out to the yak pasture and meet Texas Longhorns, peacocks, turkeys and Call Ducks along the way.
Cuddle our adorable bottle calves and make unforgettable memories with these lovable little farm favorites.
Ride out into the pasture to meet and hand-feed our weanling herd of Tibetan yak and Texas Longhorn cattle.
Watch honey bees hard at work through our observation hive and discover the fascinating world inside the colony.
Take a leisurely stroll around the farm to see Texas Longhorns, yak, peacocks, turkeys, Call Ducks, and many other amazing animals.
Hand-feed our friendly reindeer their favorite treats and enjoy an unforgettable up-close encounter.
Swipe or use the arrows to see more
The Residents
Meet Bud
A rare white yak and the first of his kind in Michigan. Bud’s striking coat and calm demeanor make him the farm celebrity.
Meet Lilly
Yes, even the girl reindeer grow antlers. Lilly loves greeting visitors and showing off her graceful, gentle nature.
Meet Paisley
At 26 inches tall, Paisley is one of the world’s smallest donkey breeds, and one of the most popular stops on the farm.
This Saturday: September 12
Every guest gets a free honey stick at the gate, and the Farm Haus runs a honey tossed chicken special for the day. Kids can make wildflower seed bombs for bees to take home, and everyone gets an up-close look inside a real honeybee observation hive.
Every animal, every ride and every play area is included with admission, and the u‑pick lavender is still open. Come for the honey, stay for the reindeer.
Every Saturday Is Different
Ten fall Saturdays from August 29 through October 31, then three Christmas Saturdays in December. Every festival is included with general admission.
Sep 12
Free honey sticks through the gate, honey-tossed chicken at the Farm Haus, and an insect house build for the kids.
Sep 19
Farm games and friendly competitions all afternoon, with prizes for the winners.
Dec 5, 12 & 19
Santa, real reindeer and the farm in winter across three December Saturdays.
See It For Yourself
Eats & Treats
Burgers, crispy tater tots, cold drinks, a full bar, and a cozy place to refuel between adventures. The heart of the farm.
Warm waffles and doughnut holes with caramel, chocolate, apples and more toppings than you can pick from.
Shop apparel and hats featuring your favorite farm animals, along with handmade gifts to take home as a special reminder of your day at the farm.
More Than Festivals
Wilderness Valley Farm hosts private visits and group outings with the pond, the pastures and the animals as the backdrop. Dates are limited during the season, so reach out early.
Private and group tours of the animals and the farm, outside regular Saturday hours. Perfect for schools, camps and clubs.
Call 989-858-6859 to book →Coming with a crowd? Discounted admission for companies, clubs and interest groups, and large families. Ask us for a rate.
Email for a group rate →Celebrate on the farm with the animals, the pedal karts and the playgrounds doing the entertaining for you.
Call about a party →Visiting Gaylord?
Wilderness Valley Farm is an easy add to any Northern Michigan trip, twenty minutes from town and under an hour from Petoskey, Boyne City and Grayling.
Animals, hay rides, pedal karts and that Saturday’s festival, all on one admission.
Swing past Gaylord’s free elk herd heading into or out of town.
Finish with dinner in downtown Gaylord’s Alpine Village shops and restaurants.
What Families Say
Real reviews from real visits, on the platforms you already trust.
Start Planning Your Adventure
Open Saturdays only, 10am to 5pm, August 29 through October 31, 2026, then three Christmas Saturdays on December 5, 12 and 19. Every festival is included with general admission.
| Adults (14-59) | $15 |
| Children (3-13) | $10 |
| Seniors (60+) | $10 |
| Children (2 and under) | Free |
6500 Nicklaus Drive
Gaylord, MI 49735
Twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord, in the woods of Otsego County, with on-site parking. Families drive in from across Northern Michigan:
Good To Know
Wilderness Valley Farm is a family farm destination in Gaylord, Michigan with reindeer, Tibetan yaks, Texas Longhorns, mini and micro donkeys and peacocks, plus hay rides, a pedal cart track, playgrounds, and a different festival every Saturday of the fall season.
Yes, same property & Location, but it’s no longer a golf course.
The former Wilderness Valley Golf Course closed several years ago and has since been transformed into Wilderness Valley Farm, a family-friendly destination featuring farm animals, seasonal festivals, playgrounds, food, and activities for all ages.
If your GPS or online maps still refer to the property as a golf course, don’t worry, you’re in the right place. Just follow directions to:
Wilderness Valley Farm
6500 Nicklaus Drive
Gaylord, MI
About twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord, in the woods of Otsego County, Northern Michigan. On-site parking is available.
Saturdays only, 10am to 5pm, from August 29 through October 31, 2026. The farm then reopens for three Christmas Saturdays on December 5, 12 and 19.
General admission is $15 for adults 13-64, $10 for seniors 65 and over, $10 for children 4-12, and free for infants 3 and under. Every Saturday festival is included in that price.
Everything on the farm: the animals, tractor-pulled hay rides, barrel cart rides, the pedal cart track, playgrounds, the balance beams and tractor tire park, and that Saturday’s festival activities. Food and gifts at the Farm Haus, Waffle Barn and Cider Haus are extra.
Bud, a rare white yak and the first of his kind in Michigan; Lilly the reindeer; Paisley the 26-inch micro donkey; and Lavender Fest, where unlimited u-pick lavender is included with admission instead of sold by the bundle.
Gaylord has the free City Elk Park, the Alpine Village downtown, and Wilderness Valley Farm twenty minutes away, where kids can hand-feed yaks, meet reindeer, ride the hay wagon, race pedal karts and join a different festival every fall Saturday, all on one admission.
Yes. Children 2 and under are free, and the farm has playgrounds, balance beams, a tractor tire park and gentle animals up close. Hay wagon rides are relaxed enough for the youngest visitors.
Three Saturdays: December 5, 12 and 19, 2026. Times and tickets are announced closer to the season on the events page.
The 2026 season opens Saturday, August 29 with Lavender Fest. One admission, the whole farm, all day.
