Some farms let you brush miniature donkeys, take them on guided walks, or meet rescued animals with remarkable stories. Others offer wagon rides, farm tours, and even overnight stays.
These little donkeys stand around three feet tall at the shoulder, but they are often the biggest attraction on the property. At several of these farms, visitors can get close enough to pet them and learn how they are cared for.
From a Pennsylvania donkey rescue to a Georgia farm offering guided mountain walks, these 12 destinations offer unusual ways to spend a day. Some welcome families for organized tours, while others require private appointments, so checking visitor arrangements before heading out is essential.
1. Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue, New Oxford, Pennsylvania
Second chances come with big ears at this rescue in south-central Pennsylvania. The sanctuary takes in miniature donkeys that need a safe, steady home and gives them one for good.
Guided tours introduce guests to many of the residents by name. Staff share each donkey’s background and explain how the team helps them recover and settle in.
Expect company. The donkeys here are known for crowding around visitors and nudging for attention, so keep a hand free for scratching.
The property includes a main barn with a visitor center and a treatment room for senior donkeys. Several other barns house groups of donkeys, ponies, and mules, with sandy paddocks and pastures outside.
Tours run seasonally from May through November. Reservations are required, and spots tend to fill fast during warm months.
Families should note the age rule. Children on tours should be at least eight years old.
Plan to leave with more than photos. Many visitors walk away knowing far more about donkey care than they expected.
2. Northern Roots Farm, Jasper, Georgia
Two miniature donkeys named Luna and Ridley are among the stars at this North Georgia farm. Visitors can meet them during private tours that also introduce guests to miniature Highland cows, fainting goats, a llama, and chickens.
The experience is hands-on. Guests can feed the animals treats provided by the farm, take photos, and learn about daily farm life.
Children under ten receive a farmer-style hat and bandana at the beginning of their tour. Depending on the season, families may also pick vegetables from the garden or take home a few fresh eggs.
Private tours accommodate groups of up to six or ten people, depending on the booking option. The farm is located at 834 Worley Crossroads in Jasper, and reservations should be made in advance.
It’s a particularly good choice for families who want more than a quick look at miniature donkeys from behind a fence.
3. Lil’ Buckaroo’s Petting Zoo, Erie, Colorado
One little donkey named Buckaroo gave this Colorado farm its name, and he still has plenty of fans. The farm was started by a couple during the pandemic.
Hands-on is the whole point here. Guests can pet, brush, and feed a wide mix of small animals.
Miniature donkeys share space with miniature horses, pot-bellied pigs, and miniature cows. Nigerian Dwarf goats, Babydoll sheep, alpacas, Silkie chickens, and Flemish Giant rabbits also join the lineup.
Special sessions add variety. Toddler Time includes animal presentations and coloring, while Enrichment Hour shows how the animals are fed and cared for each day.
The owners built the space with animal welfare in mind. Residents are well-socialized and calm around people, which helps nervous kids relax.
Tours run in one-hour slots from Tuesday through Saturday. Booking ahead is recommended, though walk-ins are sometimes welcome if space allows.
Bring a camera with a full battery. Between rabbits the size of small dogs and tiny donkeys, the photo chances add up quickly.
4. Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch, Clermont, Florida
Shaggy cows and short donkeys make quite the comedy duo in Central Florida. Whispering Oaks specializes in small livestock, and both species steal the show.
The headline event is the Mini Cow Safari. Guests ride a Conestoga wagon through the pastures for about thirty minutes.
More than sixty Miniature Highland cows live here, along with other mini and micro breeds. The wagon stops several times so cattle can walk up for petting and pictures.
Donkey lovers have an add-on just for them. For an extra fee, guests get fifteen minutes with the miniature donkeys for brushing and cuddles.
A similar add-on features fluffy Highland calves. Feed buckets for the cows are also available for purchase.
The ranch breeds for friendly, pet-level temperaments. That focus shows in how easily the animals approach strangers.
Tickets should be booked in advance. Florida sun is strong most of the year, so bring hats, sunscreen, and water for the ride.
5. Gails Mini-Donkey Ranch, Los Molinos, California
Decades of donkey wisdom live on this small Northern California ranch. The owners have raised Miniature Mediterranean donkeys since the 1990s.
A visit works more like a friendly chat with experts than a tourist attraction. Guests can ask real questions about feeding, hoof care, and daily routines.
The ranch puts a strong focus on calm handling. That approach helps raise donkeys that trust people from a young age.
Results are easy to spot. Residents often walk right up to visitors and wait for a good scratch behind the ears.
Fun fact for trivia fans: miniature donkeys originally came from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Families there once used them to carry goods and turn grain mills.
Anyone thinking about owning a mini donkey will find this stop especially useful. The owners can explain the space, time, and budget these animals need.
Visits must be arranged in advance. Call or message ahead, and be respectful of the fact that this is a working home.
6. Oregon Donkey Sanctuary, Oregon City, Oregon
Calm is the main attraction at this Oregon City sanctuary. Rescued donkeys live here for life, including many with medical needs.
Jim and Rhonda Urquhart founded the sanctuary in 2021 on their forty-acre farm. It runs entirely on donations.
Visits happen by appointment. Guests learn each donkey’s story and the effort it takes to keep the herd healthy.
Activities stay low-key on purpose. Visitors brush and feed the donkeys, who usually stand still and soak up the attention.
These sessions have proven soothing for many people. Guests with special needs, veterans with PTSD, and memory care residents have all found comfort here.
The sanctuary also aims to clear up myths about donkeys. Many people think they are stubborn, but staff explain that donkeys are simply careful thinkers.
Expect a slower pace than a busy petting zoo. It is a good fit for anyone who prefers quiet time and real learning over crowds.
7. Tollen Farm, Wilsonville, Oregon
Antiques and donkeys rarely share a shopping list, but this Willamette Valley farm makes the pairing work. Tollen Farm has been run by the same family since 1979.
The resident stars are registered Mediterranean miniature donkeys. The breed has a reputation for being social and smart, and these animals happily greet guests at the fence.
Guided encounters let visitors learn about the donkeys up close. Kids often get a turn offering carrots, which earns them instant popularity.
After the pasture, the rustic shop takes over. Shelves hold vintage finds, artwork, antiques, and decor for both home and garden.
The property covers about four and a half acres. It includes a farmhouse more than a century old, orchards, and gardens.
Timing matters for snack hunters. Depending on the season, fresh apples, plums, pears, or hazelnuts may be for sale.
Visits are by appointment only, which keeps things relaxed and personal. Wear sturdy shoes, since farm paths can get muddy in Oregon weather.
8. Donkey Kingdom, Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee
Camels in rural Tennessee? At Donkey Kingdom, they share the hills with dozens of miniature donkeys.
The farm is billed as the largest miniature donkey farm in the country. Many of the donkeys roam freely and wander over to greet guests.
Llamas round out the unusual cast. Kids tend to spend half the visit counting donkeys and the other half staring up at camels.
Owner Vito treats the farm as a way of life rather than just a business. His goal is to share his love of animals with every visitor.
That attitude shows in the animals themselves. From the smallest donkey to the tallest camel, the residents are friendly and well-mannered.
The drive out winds through quiet Tennessee countryside. It makes a nice break from city traffic before the fun begins.
Donkey Kingdom is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 4 PM. Check the farm’s page before going, since hours may change with weather or season.
9. JF Miniature Donkeys, Mount Vernon, Washington
Spotted coats and show-ring looks are the specialty at this Skagit Valley breeding farm. Owner Julie Jones has bred livestock since the 1970s.
Her herd is known for colorful miniature donkeys with solid build and friendly temperaments. Many have gone on to win shows or work as therapy animals.
The ranch covers nearly sixty acres of farmland. Herd sires here are prized for producing foals with strong bones and easygoing personalities.
This is a working breeding operation, not a theme park. Regular public tours are not offered because of the owner’s busy schedule.
Visitors can sometimes watch from the fence line. The curious donkeys often stroll over for a closer look and a scratch.
Contact the farm before showing up. Serious buyers have the best chance of arranging a viewing.
Pair the stop with a drive through the valley. Skagit farms are famous for their spring tulip fields, which makes the area worth exploring.
10. Plum Loco Animal Farm, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Kid-sized tractors and real donkeys make a winning team in Door County. Plum Loco blends an animal sanctuary with a playful farm village.
Guests can meet, pet, and feed a mixed family of animals. Miniature donkeys live alongside ponies, goats, sheep, and pigs.
The farm promises its animals a lifelong home. Hosts Linda and Jeremy put clear care into every pen and pasture.
Children usually make a beeline for the Play-Farm Village. It has miniature barns, rocking horses, toy tractors, and farm-themed pretend play.
Older kids and adults get their own fun. The Plum Loco Challenge offers a series of friendly competitive games.
Lawn games, board games, and picnic areas encourage families to stay a while. Concessions, crafts, and souvenirs are also on site.
Check seasonal hours before heading out, since Door County attractions often keep summer schedules. Packing a lunch turns the stop into an easy half-day outing.
11. O.G. Farms, West Kill, New York
Staying the night with donkeys next door is a real option in the Catskills. O.G.
Farms offers a guest cottage called Oswald’s Cottage.
Founder Mike Salica built the farm after a personal journey of healing. He wanted a place where others could slow down and find peace.
Tours can be guided or self-guided. Guests explore the grounds and trails while meeting miniature donkeys, alpacas, goats, sheep, and chickens.
The overnight cottage turns a short stop into a full mountain getaway. Morning animal visits become part of the routine.
A farm shop sells locally inspired goods and branded merchandise. It is an easy spot to grab a souvenir.
Rules keep the animals healthy. Guests must follow the feeding guidelines and only offer approved treats.
Book tours ahead of time, especially on fall weekends when leaf watchers flood the region. Mountain roads can be narrow, so allow extra driving time.
12. The Little Farm DE, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Over two hundred animals call this Delaware family farm home, and many of them were rescued or surrendered. Miniature donkeys are part of that big crew.
The farm focuses on organized, supervised experiences. It is a strong pick for families with young children meeting farm animals for the first time.
Depending on the booking, guests may see goats, sheep, alpacas, and rabbits. Ducks and miniature ponies often join the fun too.
Trained staff manage the animals during every session. Hand sanitizer stations keep things clean for little hands.
Pony rides are another favorite. The farm also hosts plenty of children’s birthday parties.
Barn tours take place at the Camden Wyoming location. A mobile petting zoo brings the animals to events in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.
Visits are not open drop-in style, so plan ahead. Reserve a slot, pick the experience that fits your kids, and let the donkeys handle the rest.
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