Some of the best farm animal experiences in upstate NY don’t require a trip to a major zoo or a ticketed safari. In Washington County, they’re woven into the landscape, found at working dairy farms, boutique vineyards, hillside orchards, and rural inns tucked along the shores of Lake Champlain.
And if it’s wildlife like eagles, herons or deer that you’re after, we’ve got that, too. Check out our guides to wildlife watching and birding in Washington County for an entirely different kind of animal encounter.
Whether you’re traveling with kids, looking for a fun afternoon trip, or planning a stay that puts you right in the middle of it all, here’s where to find your next up-close animal experience.
Goats: Yoga, Soap, and a Whole Lot of Personality
Goats are among the most adorably interactive farm animals you’ll encounter in Washington County. Luckily, there are several great places to meet them up close.
Sperry Family Farm: Nigerian Dwarf Goats in the Hills
The Sperry Family Farm raises Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, a hardy, curious breed with outsized charm. During special events (like their Baby Goat Soap Shop and the Art + Ag Tour), John and Dorothy Sperry invite visitors into the goat barn for a hands-on, photo-ready experience.
While you’re there, pick up a bar of their handcrafted goat milk soap! It’s made right on the farm and comes in a range of colors and scents. If you can’t make the trip in person, their products are also available online and at Hicks Orchard in Granville.
Dove Haven Farm: Goat Yoga & Private Events
Dove Haven Farm in Hudson Falls offers something a little different: goat yoga classes held right on the farm, alongside private farm visits and events.
Naturally curious (and occasionally opinionated), the goats make every session a unique experience. Classes run outdoors in good weather and move into the barn when it rains. Booking is by registration, so call or text ahead to reserve your spot!
NOTE: Dove Haven Farm is currently closed for the 2026 season for renovations.
Hicks Orchard: A Bonus Encounter
Planning a u-pick visit to Hicks Orchard in Granville? Keep an eye out for their pen of goats while you’re there. It’s not a main attraction, but it’s a genuine, easygoing encounter, especially welcome if you’re visiting with young kids who need a reason to take a break from berry-picking.
Horse Experiences in Washington County: Trail Rides and Beyond
Washington County’s equine culture runs deep. From beginner-friendly trail rides to the sight of sport horses moving through a valley farm, these spots offer visitors three very different horse experiences.
4J Farmm: Guided Trail Rides for Every Level
4J Farmm in Argyle is the go-to place for anyone who wants to get in the saddle.
Their herd of 12 horses are all rescues and retirees that have found second careers as riding horses. They’re calm, experienced, and well-suited to first-timers. Rides are about an hour long, with lead line options available for younger or less experienced riders.
Moreover, they’re open to the public year-round, weather permitting, and offer group sessions, private lessons, and horsemanship programs. So if you’re looking for a fun, low-key riding experience, 4J Farmm is where you’ll want to be.
Inn on Lake Champlain: Riding on a Working Farm
On the other hand, the Inn on Lake Champlain in Putnam Station offers equestrian riding as part of its farm stay experience. With eight horses and five ponies on 440 acres overlooking the western shore of Lake Champlain, it’s a stunning setting for a ride.
Full details are in the farm stay section below.
Camden Creek Farm: German Oldenburg Horses and Valley Views
In Shushan, you’ll find a whole different kind of equine experience. Camden Creek Farm specializes in breeding German Oldenburg sport horses, an elegant, athletic breed developed for dressage and jumping.
The farm sits quietly in a 140-acre valley where a spring-fed creek runs the full length of the property, and there are genuine opportunities to observe the horses and the farm’s ongoing work up close while staying in the farm’s two-bedroom Airbnb. Guests will never forget waking up to the crowing of roosters and sweeping pastoral views of horses peacefully grazing and playing.
Sheep: Wine, Wool, and the Farms That Keep Tradition Alive
Sheep farming and fiber have deep roots in Washington County. Today, you can encounter the animals themselves while visiting a local vineyard, or follow the wool’s journey from fleece to finished product at one of the county’s celebrated fiber events!
South Dominion Vineyard: Sheep Outside the Tasting Room
South Dominion Vineyard in Cambridge keeps a small herd of sheep on the property year-round. Visitors stopping in for a tasting love to stop by and say hello!
It’s one of those only-in-Washington-County combinations: a glass of cold-hardy estate wine, sweeping views of the countryside, and a handful of sheep grazing just outside.
Of course, the sheep aren’t the only reason to visit! The vineyard is part of the Upper Hudson AVA, with owners proud of their commitment to making delicious, sustainable wines on a historic property.
Follow the Fiber: Tour and Festival
For a deeper dive into sheep and fiber farming, two annual Washington County events are worth planning around.
The Washington County Fiber Tour each April opens the gates at farms raising everything from Icelandic sheep to alpacas and angora rabbits. It offers a rare look at how fiber moves from animal to finished product, with demonstrations by artisans, finished fiber products for sale and much, much more.
Then in September, the Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival brings together fiber farmers, artisans, and wool enthusiasts from across the country for a weekend of shopping, demonstrations, and community. Both events are rooted in a tradition of animal husbandry that has long shaped this county’s agricultural identity.
Cows: Highland Cattle, Dairy Farms, and the Story Behind the Cheese
These days, Washington County is dairy country to its core. Fortunately, several farms invite visitors to connect with the friendly animals that make it all possible.
Tiashoke Farm, Store & More: Highland Cattle and a 200-Year-Old Barn
Tiashoke Farm in Easton is a multi-generation family dairy operation that has grown into a genuine countryside destination. The Ziehm family raises a small, friendly herd of highland cattle alongside over a thousand dairy cows.
Their farm store, housed in a beautifully renovated 200-year-old barn, is one of the most welcoming places to experience a working farm in the county! Stop in for locally-raised beef, Cabot cheese made from their own milk, farm-fresh eggs, and a rotating selection of local pantry goods. Events and workshops run throughout the year, from DIY crafting classes and makers markets to the County Bounty Tour and more.
Battenkill Valley Creamery: See the Herd, Then Eat the Ice Cream
At Battenkill Valley Creamery in Salem, the cows and the ice cream parlor are practically neighbors.
On most visits, you can see the herd grazing just outside, the same animals whose milk becomes the award-winning ice cream you’re about to order! It’s a satisfying farm-to-cone moment that’s hard to replicate anywhere else.
Argyle Cheese Farmer: Where the Milk Goes Next
While you’re thinking about dairy, a stop at Argyle Cheese Farmer in Hudson Falls adds another dimension to the story.
Visitors can watch the cheese-processing operation through a viewing window, offering a surprisingly fascinating look at how Washington County’s exceptional milk becomes their celebrated cheese curds, hard cheeses, and Greek yogurt. It’s a natural pairing with any of the farm visits above.
Exotic Animals at Jungle Experience Zoo in Granville
No list of farm animal experiences upstate NY visitors should know about would be complete without the Jungle Experience Zoo in Granville!
Open seasonally from late May through the last Sunday in September, the zoo is home to kangaroos, capybaras, monkeys, wallabies, an emu named Ozzy, a tortoise named Tank, and more. Additionally, many of the animals roam freely alongside you as you walk the grounds, giving guests a truly wild experience. For an extra fee, you can get up-close and personal with several exotic animals; the kangaroo, capybara, and binturong encounters are perennial crowd favorites.
With staff that are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic, this experience is enjoyable for people of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers to adults who thought they were only doing this for the kids.
Stay with the Animals: Farm Stays with Built-In Encounters
For the fullest farm animal experience upstate NY can offer, consider staying the night – or the weekend. Below, you’ll find a few Washington County properties that let you wake up right in the middle of farm life.
Inn on Lake Champlain: The Full Farm Immersion
While it was mentioned briefly above, it’s worth revisiting The Inn on Lake Champlain, one of the most complete farm animal experiences Washington County has to offer.
Karl and Lani Ohly’s 440-acre working farm sits on the western shore of Lake Champlain, where over 300 acres of privately owned wilderness surround the property. The animals here are not props; they are the farm. Sport horses, retired thoroughbreds, Shetland ponies, Jersey cows, free-range chickens, and Anatolian Shepherd dogs all share the land, and guests are invited into the rhythm of it. Children delight in feeding the chickens each morning. Adults enjoy riding and instruction (including lessons in huntseat, dressage, and western) on the farm’s own warmbloods and ponies.
Accordingly, breakfast is the shortest farm-to-table journey imaginable: eggs from the coop, homemade pastries, fruit, and a different menu every morning. There are no TVs in the rooms, and that’s by design. The farm is refreshingly, genuinely real – and guests who come looking for exactly that leave satisfied.
Blind Buck Valley Farmstead: Glamping on a Historic Farm
Just outside Salem, Blind Buck Valley Farmstead sits on 180 acres and offers two ways to stay: the renovated 18th-century farmhouse for larger groups, and the Glampground for those who want fresh air and stars overhead.
The farm is home to horses, a pony, donkeys, goats, chickens, rabbits, and barn cats, each welcoming visitors in their own special way. Guests can gather eggs from the coop, take guided farm tours, or simply wander the grounds and enjoy seasonal activities.
Whether you’re coming for a family reunion or a group getaway that’s equal parts comfort and adventure, this is a prime example of an authentic Washington County farm stay.
Slateville Farm: Highland Cows, a Fire Tower and Acres to Roam
Slateville Farm near Granville is in a category of its own. Spread across 350 acres near the Vermont border, the farm offers six secluded campsites with outhouses, fire pits, and spring water.
Of course, there’s also the Slateville Retreat: a private 40-acre parcel with a three-story fire tower and a fully equipped cabin.
Guests can swim in the old red slate quarry, fish the cow pond, and hike over eight miles of trails – without ever heaving to leave the property. Furthermore, you can feed the highland cows, which has quickly grown into a favorite part of nearly every guest’s visit!
Plan Your Farm Animal Experience in Upstate NY
As you can see, Washington County’s animal encounters range from a spontaneous afternoon stop to a fully immersive multi-day stay. Most farms and destinations above welcome visitors from late spring through fall, though some operate year-round. Check individual websites for current hours, booking requirements, and seasonal schedules before you go.
Looking for animals of the wilder variety? Washington County’s forests, wetlands, and waterways are home to over 200 bird species, bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and much more. Visit our wildlife watching guide and birding article to plan that side of your trip.
Ready to explore more? Visit the Kids Trail for more family-friendly experiences, or browse the Hands-On Trail for additional ways to engage with Washington County’s working farms and agricultural businesses.
