This is a biased review. I've been coming here every year since I was single digit, and had my first heart warming animal experience here, so I'll tell you my experience, and then I'll add some cold hard feedback.
Just off the highway, turn southbound, and you'll see the signs. Down the gravel road, stop into the shop. You can pay to fish for rainbows, bullheads, channel cat, white bass, carp, largemouth, rock bass, bluegill, crappies, perch, muskies, and northern pike in four different lagoons. $8 for an adult, $5 for children, fish all you want. Boats are fine, no license is needed, and they can even support camping. I've never done, so call ahead.
The reason I come is the deer park. As of this writing, admission is $9/adult, and we get two big bags- $10 together. I recommend putting it under your shirt, and getting a leg of the land (the lot out back is HUGE), before feeding anyone. They have deer, llamas, goats, sheep, elk, peacocks, emus, rheas, miniature donkeys, and a Scottish Highlander. The Scotty is an adult, not AS cute as a calf, but he's a charmer!
Of course, these are still wild animals. They don't jump or climb on you, but if you leave your food out for them, they will go for it! Animals in cages are used to being fed peanuts- fingers look awful close, so be aware of what's happening!
Also, which I shouldn't have to say, be nice to the animals. Some animals are anxious/nervous, and many babies are very cautious. I was at the park once and deer were following a woman. Huh, who would have thought? She got mad, kicked gravel at them and screamed at them. The situation was resolved, but it wasn't pleasant. There are animals here. They won't attack you, chase you, or hurt you- but they will come up to you. They will want to be fed, and some are nervous for pets. If you feel uncomfortable, just walk away. You can figuratively walk through them. These aren't monsters, just gently walk and they'll scoot!
This is a magical place to supervise a child. I find the goats enchanting. It seems every four or five years, I find a kid (kid is the term for a baby goat) who I bond with. Who doesn't care solely about food, who follows me around, cuddles, climbs on top of me (I sit on the ground lol), and just loves me. This is a great way to show a child how gentle and innocent animals are. Zoos show exotic animals at a distance, and many children skip the discovery channel. But this is real life, real pets, and pure innocence from furry friends.
So, past all the bliss, some reality. This isn't a mega park, or some corporate affair. It's a gravel road. An old building. Don't expect lavish resort, think purpose completed adequately. There isn't a fancy restroom with automatic sinks and driers. Out front, there is a manual sink and soap. Out back, they use fences and chains. They aren't gross, but it's basic. The back lot is gravel. If it was grass, the deer would eat it all, leaving dirt- and it would erode very quickly- so gravel it is. Come here with the expectation of under $15/person, and having as much time as you want, direct contact, with over 200 animals, and you won't be...
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