If it is an animal you can find on a farm, you likely can pet it and feed it by hand at Old MacDonald’ s Farm, and there are a few exotics thrown in for good measure. Sheep and goats, longhorns and horses, ponies and pigs, alpacas and llamas, chickens, rabbits, peacocks and emus – there is a little bit of everything, and plenty of babies to go around. Animal feed is sold in the newly-renovated gift shop, and quarter machines are available around the Farm as well.
“ The first thing people see when they walk in is the bottle baby sign,” Gina said.“ We have a schedule that we give to people when they come in, and we announce it over the intercom when we’ re going to feed the babies.” She said it is fun to watch as visitors respond to the announcement, running from all corners of the farm to the bottle baby feedings.
Whether it is you on a solo adventure, or you and some kids, or a whole school group, Old MacDonald’ s Farm has something for everyone. Kids( and adults) can watch as hatching chicks emerge from their shells, and learn how to gently handle the baby birds, laugh at the antics of the goats and their little ones, or take a pony ride, cooling off at the end of it with a dish of ice cream, one of their expanded food offerings they’ ll have this season. There are also other kid-friendly food options, such as pizza and hot dogs, available as well.
In the 12 years since the Rose family purchased the farm, they have made a number of incremental improvements, from the addition of an aviary, with a collection of exotic birds including peacocks, to the updated playground and the planting of additional trees. This year, they are excited to welcome their guests into a new and improved gift shop, where kids and adults alike will enjoy browsing the selection of souvenirs and toys and clothing items!
The highlight of their season is their end-of-the-year Fall Festival which happens the entire month of October. Admission is discounted and their on-the-farm offerings include a bouncy house and a corn bin, face painting and hay wagon rides, and a pumpkin patch for picking and painting.
Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy this little slice of country life and the increasingly unique experience of some up close and personal interactions with furred and feathered critters. The farm and its inhabitants are kept in pristine condition through the meticulous care of the Rose family and their employees, as well as the vet they work closely with to make sure everything is as it should be. All that is evident in the friendly and contented animals, snoozing in the sunshine or playing rambunctiously.
“ Some people come through daily,” Thane said.“ Sometimes just adults will come through, every few days, to see their favorite animal, and be here for 10 minutes or be here for 2 hours.”
“ We have a really good base of season pass holders,” Gina said.“ We tell the employees that people will come in and you’ ll recognize their faces, and you’ ll make a lasting impression on the kids. They’ ll get to know you. It is actually pretty relaxing out there in the summer. You can just sit on a bench if it is nice out and just watch.”
“ You don’ t really come here to get a thrill,” Thane said,” you come here to relax. Here you get your ice cream, take your time eating it, and go pet an animal.”
I don’ t know about you, but it sounds like a great way to spend an afternoon.
For more information on admission, hours of operation, events, and tours at either of these local attractions, go to oldmacdonaldsfarmrc. com and blackhillscaverns. com, or visit them on Facebook.
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Open 7 days a week | Available 9 a. m.-Dusk | Sunset Tours by Reservation Only Black Hills Adventure Guide 2025 55