- Attraction: GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park
- Location: W9104 US-2, Naubinway, MI 49762
- Industry: Zoo
- Website: https://www.garlynzoo.com/
Siberian tigers prowl through mature pine forests while peacocks strut freely down cedar-mulched pathways at this remarkable Upper Peninsula sanctuary. GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park opened in 1994 as a family-run zoo nestled in the mature pine forests on the northern shores of Lake Michigan, just 6 miles east of Naubinway and 40 minutes west of the Mackinac Bridge.
What started as a modest wildlife sanctuary has grown into the largest exhibit of animals in the Upper Peninsula, offering visitors an intimate encounter with both native Michigan wildlife and exotic species from around the globe.
The zoo offers a child-friendly atmosphere with people-friendly animals in natural wooded appeal featuring mature pine trees and cedar mulched trails. Unlike larger metropolitan zoos, this 12-acre paradise allows you to experience wildlife up close in spacious, naturalistic habitats that prioritize animal welfare while creating unforgettable memories for families.
Interactive Animal Experiences
Feeding the Bears: One of the most thrilling experiences involves feeding the Syrian Brown Bears through specially designed PVC chutes. You’ll roll apples down these tubes while the bears wait patiently below, creating an incredible connection between you and these magnificent creatures. There’s actually a dog that lives in the enclosure with the bears as a comfort animal, and they comfort each other.
Hand-Feeding Adventures: You can hand-feed goats, deer, llamas, and alpacas throughout your visit. The deer are particularly eager, sticking their noses through the fence as soon as they spot you reaching for the food cones. You can buy bags of food consisting of six sugar cones and feed pellets, with additional feed available from gumball-like machines near the llamas.
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Keep Exploring →Free-Roaming Birds: Free-roaming chickens, peacocks, ducks, and pheasants wander throughout the zoo, creating magical moments as colorful birds cross your path. The numerous free-roaming birds include a white peacock that displays its full tail, while families often find themselves waiting at the entrance as beautiful peacocks leisurely stroll across the driveway.
Big Cat Encounters: The big cats include two Siberian Tigers and a pair of African Lions, housed in spacious enclosures where you can observe their natural behaviors. The zoo also features an impressive cougar that uses timber as a scratching post, demonstrating the natural behaviors these cats exhibit in well-designed habitats.
Unique Wildlife Collection
Rare and Exotic Species: The collection of animals, especially apex predators, is incredible, featuring hyenas for the first time in many visitors’ zoo experiences, plus rare and endangered Himalayan snow leopards.
The zoo houses hundreds of native North American animals including alligators, badgers, foxes, wolves, bobcats, whitetail deer, javelinas, cougars, river otters, porcupines, and bison, as well as exotic animals from around the world like Siberian Tigers, Syrian Brown Bears, Patagonian Cavies, Ring-tailed Lemurs, camels, reindeer, Sika deer, and Sulcata Tortoises.
Primate Paradise: The lemur exhibit captivates visitors as you can listen to the black and white lemurs howl at each other while watching them leap and play in their spacious enclosure. The lemurs run around and jump on each other in entertaining displays that delight children and adults alike.
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Discover MoreAquatic Animal Fun: It’s particularly entertaining to watch the otters play in the water, splashing and diving in their specially designed aquatic habitat that mimics their natural environment.
Indoor Animal Building: A special indoor building houses unique animals including tiny blue poison dart frogs and features Oz the parrot, who interacts with visitors under guided supervision from knowledgeable zoo personnel.
Atmosphere & Setting
Forest Canopy Trails: The layout features wood chip paths covered by a canopy of trees, providing natural shade and a peaceful woodland atmosphere that makes even hot summer days comfortable for walking. The heavily wooded pathways with mulch coverings make for very easy walking, even on hot days.
Lake Michigan Proximity: The zoo’s location is particularly scenic as it sits just across the roadway from Lake Michigan and its beautiful beaches, allowing families to combine their zoo visit with beach time. The scenic drive along US-2 offers stunning lake views throughout the journey.
Intimate Scale: The way some of the more docile animals and birds roam around outside of caged settings creates an immersive experience that larger zoos simply cannot match. The private zoo setting provides a nice intimate experience where you get surprisingly close to animals without feeling crowded or rushed.
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Keep Exploring →Educational Signage: Each exhibit features large, easy-to-read signs describing the animal’s natural habitat and endangered status in the wild, creating learning opportunities alongside the entertainment value.
Other Considerations
Family-Friendly Pricing: Adults pay $13, children 3-13 cost $7, and children 2 and under are free, with a family rate of $40 for up to 6 people. Group rates offer additional savings for parties of 7 or more at $6 per person. The pricing represents excellent value considering the quality of animal care and unique interactive experiences.
Seasonal Operations: The zoo operates 7 days a week from May 1st until September 30th (10am-6pm), then 7 days from September 1st through October 15th (10am-5pm), with weather-dependent operations after October 15th. Planning your visit during peak season ensures all animals are active and all exhibits are fully operational.
No Food Service: The zoo offers light snacks in the gift shop but no full restaurant or cafe, so visitors should plan to eat before or after their visit. There are places along US-2 where you can pull off at Lake Michigan shore rest areas with picnic tables for packed lunches.
Gift Shop Treasures: The gift shop is filled with wildlife-related items for all ages, offering perfect souvenirs to commemorate your visit. Children especially love the animal-themed merchandise and educational materials available.
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Discover MoreParking and Accessibility: A large gravel parking lot provides ample space, though it fills up during peak visiting hours. Wheelchair access includes a ramp to and from the gift shop, with well-packed but unpaved ground throughout the zoo.
Visit Duration: You can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring all the exhibits, feeding animals, and enjoying the peaceful forest setting. The relaxed pace encourages families to take their time and truly connect with the wildlife.
GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park
📍 W9104 US-2, Naubinway, MI 49762
