Unlimited U‑Pick LavenderNear Gaylord, Michigan
Pick all the lavender you can carry, free with admission. Lavender Fest opens the 2026 season at Wilderness Valley Farm. No charge by the bundle, no charge by weight.
Get TicketsWhy We Give It Away
Unlimited Lavender. Included. Actually Free.
Most lavender farms sell you a bundle or weigh what you cut. We don’t. By late August our rows are dried on the flower and ready to harvest, and last season we paid to cut all of it down ourselves. We would rather you take it home.
Most lavender farms
Pay admission, then pay again by the bundle or by weight. A few stems for the photo, and the rest stays in the field.
Wilderness Valley Farm
One admission. Cut as much as you can carry. No bundle price, no weight limit, no upsell at the gate. Bring a bag.
Opening Day
What’s Happening At Lavender Fest, August 29
Everything below is included with admission. Gates open at 10am and close at 5pm.
U-Pick Lavender
Walk the rows and cut what you like. Unlimited, and included with your admission.
The Lavender Queen & Court
Our Lavender Queen and her court join us in the rows for opening day photos.
On the houseFree Lavender Lemonade
Cold, floral, and made for the occasion. On the house while you pick.
For the kidsPaint A Pot
A hands-on craft table for the kids, paint a pot and take it home with you.
The Whole Farm Is Open
Reindeer, Tibetan yaks, Texas Longhorns, micro donkeys and peacocks. Hay wagon rides, the pedal cart track, the playground and the tractor tire park.
Food, Cider & Gifts
The Farm Haus, the Waffle Barn and the Cider Haus are all open for the day.
Before You Cut
How U‑Pick Lavender Works
You don’t need any experience. Lavender is forgiving, and by late August the flower has already dried on the stem, which is exactly when it holds its scent and colour best for taking home.
- Bring something to carry it inA paper bag, a tote or a bucket. A full armful takes up more room than people expect.
- Cut low on the stemLong stems are easier to bundle and hang, and cutting low keeps the plant tidy for next season.
- Take more than you thinkLavender shrinks as it finishes drying. Cut generously, there is no bundle to pay for.
- Hang it upside down at homeGather stems into small bundles, band them, and hang them somewhere dark and dry for two to four weeks.
Before You Come
Plan Your Visit To Lavender Fest
Gaylord, MI 49735
Lavender Fest Admission
One ticket covers the lavender, the animals and every activity on the farm. There is no separate charge for picking.
| Adults (13-64) | $15 |
| Seniors (65+) | $10 |
| Children (4-12) | $10 |
| Infants (3 and under) | Free |
Getting To The Farm
6500 Nicklaus Drive
Gaylord, MI 49735
About twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord, in the woods of Otsego County. Families drive in from across Northern Michigan:
- Gaylord
- Petoskey
- Harbor Springs
- Traverse City
- Boyne City
- Grayling
- Mancelona
- Bellaire
- Alpena
- Cheboygan
- Mackinaw City
Questions
Lavender Fest FAQ
When is Lavender Fest 2026?
Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10am to 5pm at Wilderness Valley Farm, 6500 Nicklaus Drive, Gaylord, MI 49735. It is the opening day of our fall season.
Is the lavender picking really free?
Yes. U-pick lavender is unlimited and included with general admission. There is no charge by the bundle, by the stem or by weight, and nothing extra to buy at the gate.
How much lavender can I pick?
As much as you can carry. There is no limit. Bring a paper bag, tote or bucket, an armful of lavender takes up more room than most people expect.
Is there a lavender farm near Gaylord, Michigan?
Yes. Wilderness Valley Farm has lavender rows on the property at 6500 Nicklaus Drive, about twenty minutes from downtown Gaylord in Otsego County, Northern Michigan.
When does lavender bloom in Michigan?
Michigan lavender generally blooms from late June into August depending on the variety and the season. By late August ours has dried on the flower, which is when the scent and colour hold best for taking home, and that is why Lavender Fest lands on August 29.
How do I dry lavender at home?
Gather the stems into small bundles, band them at the base, and hang them upside down somewhere dark, dry and out of direct sun. Two to four weeks is usually enough. Smaller bundles dry more evenly than large ones.
Do I need to buy Lavender Fest tickets in advance?
Buying online before you come is the fastest way through the gate, and Lavender Fest is our busiest opening in the season.
What else is there to do at the farm that day?
The whole farm is open. Reindeer, Tibetan yaks including Bud the white yak, Texas Longhorns, micro donkeys and peacocks, plus hay wagon rides, the pedal cart track, the playground and the tractor tire park. The Farm Haus, Waffle Barn and Cider Haus are all serving.
Bring A Bag To Lavender Fest
Lavender Fest opens the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29. Unlimited picking, included with admission.