Visiting the Reindeer Farm in Palmer – Great for Kids and Adults

Do you know the difference between reindeer and caribou? I didn’t until we visited the Reindeer Farm in Palmer, Alaska. Here they raise reindeer, educate visitors on the species, and also are home to several other animals, both native to Alaska and not. Visiting the Reindeer Farm is a great afternoon activity, especially with kids. Take a look at what you’ll find here and how to have a fun, photo-worthy visit.

Highlights of Visiting the Reindeer Farm

So do you know the difference between reindeer and caribou? Simple: reindeer are domesticated caribou. I’ve been to one other place like this, the Reindeer Farm in Leavenworth, WA, and wouldn’t you know it, but they actually got their animals from THIS reindeer farm in Palmer, Alaska. I enjoyed meeting the many reindeer and getting some awesome photos with them, but there’s more to the Palmer Reindeer Farm than that. Also on property you’ll see woodland bison, elk, alpacas, a moose (rescue) and more.

There’s more to do and see at the Reindeer Farm than just look at Santa’s helpers. Oh, and they also do special holiday setups for Halloween and Christmas, so if you’re back in the Palmer area then, stop by. A lot of the tour at the Reindeer Farm focuses on learning about the species and farm operations. It’s quite a bit different from the Musk Ox Farm (also in Palmer) and is a good balance of education and petting-zoo. While you can’t pet all the animals, most of the reindeer and quite a few of their friends love to be loved and get treats. I think it’s a fun place to visit and support.

Being Prepared for the Reindeer Farm in Palmer, Alaska

It’s fun to visit farms, but they can be a little muddy from time to time. When you visit the Reindeer Farm in Palmer you very well may come into some squishy ground, but the staff is good about keeping paths as solid as possible. Boots are a top recommendation, and then dress appropriately for the weather. Once you’re touring the farm there isn’t much shelter, so an umbrella is good too. You’ll meet lots of animals besides reindeer and there are lots of photo ops, but you should be fine with just a phone camera for the most part. If you’re visiting during the holidays, there are special decorations and photo areas then, so be ready for it!

Tips for the Best Visit to the Farm

I enjoy the Reindeer Farm and getting to meet all the animals there. If you’re visiting with kids, keep a close eye or hand on them. The reindeer are very sweet and they’ve done a good job making sure that the ones that are roaming are friendly and safe, but they’re still animals who may act unexpectedly.

Some parts of the Reindeer Farm allow you to interact with them through a fence and some allow you to be directly with them, really being friendly with them even if the particular animal likes it (just petting is best, don’t try to snuggle them). Be smart for your own safety and the well-being of the animals.

Direction and Parking at the Reindeer Farm

Getting to Palmer from Anchorage doesn’t take too long. If you’re doing things like Hiking at Matanuska Glacier or doing flightseeing with Alaska Helicopter Tours, you’ll be in the area already. A visit to the Reindeer Farm is easy to add to your plans. The Reindeer Farm is about an hour from Anchorage or within 10 minutes of most Palmer activities.

There’s lots of parking at the Reindeer Farm. You’ll need to enter through the office/gift shop, so when you head in for your tour you’ll have a chance to browse a bit before exploring the Reindeer Farm with your guide. Don’t forget to wash hands or use hand sanitizer before departing back to your car.