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
One ticket covers everything below, every Saturday of the season.
Hand-feed the yaks, say hello to the reindeer, and get close to Texas Longhorns, mini and micro donkeys and free-roaming peacocks. A hands-on petting farm experience for every age.
Ride the tractor-pulled hay wagon around the farm, or send the kids through the apple orchard and lavender runs in the barrel cart.
A pedal cart track, a traditional playground, balance beams and the tractor tire park. Room to burn off every last bit of energy.
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.
Opening Day: August 29
Our lavender rows are cut and dried on the flower by late August, and at Lavender Fest you can pick as much as you can carry, free with your admission. Most lavender farms charge by the bundle or by weight. We would rather you take it home.
Lavender Fest opens the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29 with free lavender lemonade, the Lavender Queen and Court, and paint-a-pot for the kids.
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.
Aug 29
Season opener. Unlimited u-pick lavender, free lavender lemonade, the Queen and Court.
Oct 24
Every guest takes home a free pumpkin, with a painting station for the kids.
Dec 5, 12 & 19
Reindeer, lights and the farm in winter across three December Saturdays.
See It For Yourself
Eats & Treats
Burgers, crispy tater tots, cold drinks 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.
Cider, apparel and hats featuring your favorite farm animal, and the right small gift to take home.
More Than Festivals
Wilderness Valley Farm hosts private events 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 →The pond, the pastures, the barns and the animals as your backdrop. A Northern Michigan farm wedding, twenty minutes from Gaylord.
Email about a date →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.
5.0 ★on Google ReviewsRead our Google reviews
100%recommend on FacebookSee Facebook recommendations
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 (13-64) | $15 |
| Seniors (65+) | $10 |
| Children (4-12) | $10 |
| Infants (3 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.
No. Wilderness Valley Farm is a family farm attraction with animals and seasonal festivals. Black Forest & Wilderness Valley Golf Resort is a separate business. If you are looking for the farm, follow directions to Wilderness Valley Farm at 6500 Nicklaus Drive.
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 3 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.
