Animal Encounters & Petting Zoos – Perfect for the Animal Lover in Your Family
Animal visits on our top things to do in SWMI and it’s no wonder why: kids and animals go hand-in-hand.
Spring, summer and fall are the perfect time to visit and learn more about our furry, scaly, or somewhere in-between friends.
We’ve also covered a few places worthy of a drive!
Calling all future veterinarians and animal lovers – Read on to discover petting zoos, animal farms, sanctuaries, and zoos you’ll want to make sure and visit.
Petting Zoo Packing List
Spending more than an hour (or even 10 minutes) outside the home with kids means a lot of planning. What’s the weather going to be like? How wet and dirty will the kids get?
Use this list to pack everything you may need for your best day ever at the petting zoo:
In this Guide
Zoos & Petting Zoos Near Kalamazoo
Southwest Michigan is home to many amazing places to get up close and personal to a wide variety of animals at a petting zoo and beyond.
Binder Park Zoo
| Must-Do | Feed the giraffes and goats |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, they have a petting zoo |
| ZOO SIZE | 433 acres |
| Number of Animals | 500 |
| Highlights | Zebra tram, SkyLark Ridge, Dinosaur area, Africa |
With animals spread over 433 acres, Binder Park Zoo is one of the bigger zoos in Michigan.
Wear your walking shoes when you visit; the exhibits here are spaced out and you’ll certainly get your steps in.
It boasts a spectacular African Savannah, complete with zebras, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and over a dozen African wild dogs.
Other fan favorites include Raj the snow leopard, Tushar the red panda, and the lions.
| Binder Park Zoo 7400 Division Dr, Battle Creek, MI 49014 Open seasonally, May – October Tickets start at $14.75 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
BJR Ranch
| Must-Do | Take a wagon tour |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, there is a petting zoo |
| Animals | Sheep, chickens, pigs, goats, horses |
| Highlights | U-pick flowers (additional fee) |
Pick a bouquet of flowers, shop the market and enjoy visiting with the animals at this family-owned farm. Take a tractor pulled wagon tour of the ranch and hear the historic story of Ransom Dopp and the lost gold.
The farm also offers private events and birthday parties.
| BJR Ranch 23469 Marcellus Hwy, Dowagiac, MI 49047 Open daily June – October Tickets start at $5 |
Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park
| Must-Do | Feed the giraffes and camels |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, there is a petting zoo |
| ZOO SIZE | 80 acres |
| Number of Animals | 1500 animals, 180 species |
| Highlights | Unusual animals, easy to navigate |
Boulder Ridge boasts a large collection of exotic animals with opportunities to feed several of them, like the giraffes and camels.
Bonus: This paved zoo is mostly flat and is stroller-friendly.
The Safari Walk is an elevated walkway through the back of the property to see the zebras, bison and hyenas. There are quite a few benches to sit and enjoy the wild views!
VIP Animal Encounters are available early in the season for the rhinos, hippos and penguins. Children must be 6 or older.
| Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park 8313 Pratt Lake SE Alto, MI 49032 Open seasonally, May – October (Dates Vary) Tickets start at $16 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary
| Must-Do | Animal Encounters |
| Petting Zoo? | No |
| ZOO SIZE | 2.5 acres |
| Number of Animals | Hundreds of reptiles |
| Highlights | ‘Godzilla’ – an 11-foot, 350 pound alligator |
Critchlow is home to hundreds of rescue animals including alligators, crocodiles, tree frogs, and tortoises.
All animals are obtained through rescue, adoption or donation and will remain there for the rest of their lives.
| Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary 1698 M-66, Athens, MI 49011 Open seasonally, May – October Tickets start at $12.95 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
Critter Barn
| Must-Do | Hold a duck or rabbit in your lap |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| ZOO SIZE | 3 acres |
| Number of Animals | Over 200 animals |
This hands-on educational farm near Holland is home to over 200 animals, including pot-bellied pigs, horses, donkeys, and ducks.
Free tours are available with Critter Crew youth volunteers.
Early in April, attend the Spring Fling to meet the chicks, lambs, bunnies, kids and calves.
| Critter Barn 2950 80th Ave, Zeeland, MI 49464 Open year-round Tickets start at $6 |
Deer Tracks Junction
| Must-Do | See baby bears and hold small animals |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, bring extra money to feed animals |
| Highlights | Several huge play structures, drive thru safari |
At Deer Tracks Junction families can get up-close and personal with goats, pigs, mini donkeys, mini cows, camels, and many kinds of babies animals, just to name a few. Love on the animals and feed them a snack or two (purchased at the park).
When taking a break from visiting the animals, explore one of the huge, Award-Winning play structures that are up to three stories tall and have underground play tunnels. Or enjoy some homemade ice cream.
Take a trip on Michigan’s only drive thru safari, wind down the trails while feeding all kinds of animals like llamas, bison, Tibetan yaks, and more. (Additional fee.)
| Deer Tracks Junction 7850 14 Mile Road NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319 Memorial Day Weekend – October $14 per person for Adventure Park |
Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park
| Must-Do | Horse-drawn wagon ride |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| Highlights | Unusual animals, feed the monkeys |
The farm features a wide array of domestic and exotic animals including zebras, reindeer and water buffalo.
Have you ever fed a monkey before? Dutch Creek features animals for both petting and feeding that families may not find elsewhere.
You can walk through, drive through, or take a wagon ride through the farm.
Tip: Bring cash and wear shoes that can get dirty.
| Dutch Creek Farm Animal Park 6255 N 1000 W, Shipshewana, IN 46565 Open seasonally, May – October Tickets start at $10 |
Fellinlove Farm
| Must-Do | Feed the pig, visit mini animal pasture |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| FARM SIZE | 11 1/4 acres |
| Highlights | Trail walks, outdoor education, special events |
Fellinlove Farms is a nonprofit organization which strives to provide guests of all ages and abilities with dynamic, hands-on experiences with diverse animals.
Families love to explore the nature trail and pond activities, such as pedal boats, kayaks, and swimming. Create in the sand table, play on the basketball court and explore other toys and games.
The Farm also host special events and parties, Yoga with Goats, and field trips.
| Fellinlove Farm 6364 144th Ave, Holland, MI 49423 Open year round, Monday through Saturday Visits must be scheduled $5 minimum donation requested |
Gull Meadow Farms
| Must-Do | Feed the goats (bring quarters) |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, there is a petting zoo |
| ZOO SIZE | 80 acres |
| Highlights | Fun family activities |
In the Fall and select Summer days, Gull Meadow Farms features a petting zoo as part of their Back Forty exhibit. It includes alpacas, pigs, and over a dozen goats.
Other activities include a corn maze, wagon rides, pig races, u-pick apples, apple cannons, and a pumpkin patch.
Gull Meadow Farms is open for special events during the year. A fan favorite is the Walk through the Lights at Christmas.
Tip: Visit during the week or in the morning on weekends when its less crowded.
| Gull Meadow Farms 8544 Gull Rd, Richland, MI 49083 Open seasonally, late Summer – Fall Tickets start at $7.99 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
John Ball Zoo
| Must-Do | Feed the budgies & ride camels. Visit koalas through Labor Day. |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, there is a petting zoo |
| ZOO SIZE | 140 acres |
| Number of Animals | 2000 animals, 230 species |
| Highlights | Zipline, Sky Trail Ropes Course, Funicular, Lantern Festival |
John Ball Zoo is more than just animals. Visitors can also experience the zipline, feed the budgies, watch a bird show, ride a camel and climb across rope bridges and webs.
The zoo is known for special events, including the popular Lantern Festival, Zoo Goes Boo and Illumizoo. Kids will also enjoy the play structures throughout the zoo.
| John Ball Zoo 1300 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, MI 49054 Open seasonally, March – November Tickets start at $13 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
| Must-Do | See the eagles and hawks |
| Petting Zoo? | No |
| ZOO SIZE | 180 acres |
| Highlights | Birds of Prey, Nature photo-ops |
Explore three miles of trails and experience a variety of habitats surrounding Wintergreen Lake, the heart of the Sanctuary grounds. Families will see a variety of birds including waterfowl (geese, ducks, swans), game birds, and raptors.
The Birds of Prey exhibit is home to a bald eagle, red-tailed hawk and different owl species. These birds are permanent residents of the sanctuary.
Tip: Paved trails make this destination very stroller-friendly.
| Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 12685 E C Ave, Augusta, MI 49060 Open year round Tickets start at $4 |
MOO-ville Creamery
| Must-Do | Try the ‘Moo-valanche’ ice cream |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes (April – October) |
| NUMBER OF ANIMALS | Over 40 different farm animals |
| Highlights | Playground with giant sandbox, MOO-ville ice cream |
MOO-ville is FREE to visit. Kids will enjoy the petting farm, farm toys, and a giant sandbox in the play yard. Learn about the dairy process with a self-guided tour.
The petting zoo and kids play area has paved sidewalks making it stroller friendly.
Tip: Bring a cooler to transport ice cream home.
| MOO-ville Creamery 5875 S M-66 Hwy, Nashville, MI 49073 Open year round, petting zoo open April – October FREE |
Potter Park Zoo
| Must-Do | See the black rhino |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| NUMBER OF ANIMALS | Over 350 animals, 160 species |
| Highlights | Playground |
Potter Park Zoo is open year-round and offers discounted admission during winter months. Kids enjoy riding camels, visiting the petting zoo, and exploring the playground.
Tip: bring cash to feed the birds.
Potter Park Zoo provides a safe and healthy environment for the farm animals in the petting zoo.
| Potter Park Zoo 1301 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48912 Open year round Tickets start at $5 PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
Reindeer Ranch
| Must-Do | Guided reindeer tour |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| Highlights | Take a photo with a reindeer |
Families will love to visit with reindeer and see the rest of the herd. Book tours (seasonally) online. Winter tours include Santa on weekends.
Watch their Facebook page in late spring for baby reindeer visits.
| Reindeer Ranch 2921 N 6th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Open seasonally Tour tickets start at $10 |
Scidmore Park Petting Zoo
| Must-Do | Visit the duck pond |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 11-3 |
| Highlights | farm-themed playground nearby |
Make the short drive to Three Rivers to check out a whole menagerie of animals that love attention. See llamas, python snakes, pot-bellied pigs. Don’t forget the rabbits and hedgehogs too. Visit their Facebook page for updates.
Don’t miss the farm themed playground nearby.
| Scidmore Park Petting Zoo 112 Spring St, Three Rivers, MI 48093 Petting Zoo open during Summer FREE |
Washington Park Zoo
| Must-Do | Feed the goats (bring quarters) |
| Petting Zoo? | Yes |
| NUMBER OF ANIMALS | Over 90 species |
| Highlights | Capybara, wolves, zebras |
Located in Michigan City IN, Washington Park Zoo spans 15 acres, making it a perfect visit with kids for all ages. You can visit 90+ species and still have time to hit the beach in the same day!
Lake Michigan is only a short walk away from this zoo; the zoo shares a parking lot with Washington Park Beach.
| Washington Park Zoo 115 Lakeshore Dr, Michigan City IN 46360 Open seasonally, April – October Tickets start at $8 plus parking fee during beach season PLAN YOUR VISIT➙ |
Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery
| Must-Do | Feed the fish (bring quarters) |
| Petting Zoo? | No |
| Hatchery Size | 78 acres |
| Highlights | Free fishing lessons |
This hatchery is home to lake sturgeon, Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, northern pike, northern muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass and a variety of sunfish on over 78 acres of ponds.
They also offer FREE fishing lessons, scavenger hunts and preschool activities (verify events on Facebook).
| Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery 34270 County Road 652, Mattawan, MI 49071 Open seasonally, April – November FREE |
Zoos Worth the Drive
Up for a family road trip? Plan your next trip to stop at one or more of these great zoos:
African Safari Wild Animal Park 267 S Lightner Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Children’s Zoo at Celebration Square 1730 S Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48061
Cincinnati Zoo 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Detroit Zoo 8450 W 10 Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo 3411 Sherman Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Indianapolis Zoo 1200 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Potawatomi Zoo 500 S Greenlawn Ave, South Bend, IN 46615
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
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