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Scottish Highland cows look like they walked straight out of a storybook, with shaggy coats, long horns, and faces you just want to pet. Florida might not be the first place you picture for these fuzzy cattle, but the state is full of small farms where you can feed them, brush them, and snap all the photos you want.
Fall is the sweet spot for a visit, with cooler weather and festive events popping up across the state. Here are 10 real Florida farms where you can meet these gentle giants face to face this season.
1. Cow Creek Farm, Plant City, FL
Strawberry country holds a fuzzy secret just north of the fields. Cow Creek Farm got its start in late 2015 and has grown into a homegrown cattle operation built on hard work and a whole lot of love for Highland cattle.
The team here does everything from breeding and brushing to halter training and head rubs, all aimed at raising the happiest and fluffiest Highlands around. Tours give you plenty of time to feed the animals, and there is more than just the big cows waiting for you.
Before the ride out to the adult herd, you can hold baby goats and feed younger cows, alpacas, and donkeys. The farm is also home to Sicilian donkeys, Mustang horses, Nigerian goats, rabbits, and black-faced sheep.
The property is clean and well cared for, and the cattle are clearly healthy. Weekend hours run Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM to 3 PM, and there is free on-site parking.
You will find it at 6802 Five Acre Rd in Plant City.
2. Big Oaks Mini Farm, Okahumpka, FL
Miniature Highland cattle bring all the charm in a smaller package, and this little Okahumpka farm is devoted to them. Big Oaks Mini Farm focuses on caring for and breeding miniature Scottish Highland cattle, and the passion behind it shows.
The mission here leans heavily into education, with a goal of teaching visitors about the Scottish Highland breed. That makes it a great choice if you want to learn while you meet the animals up close.
Keep in mind this is not a drop-in spot. The farm is not regularly open to the public, offering tours by appointment only along with seasonal events sprinkled through the year.
Because access is limited, planning ahead is key, so call or book online before you make the drive. You can reach the farm at 407-488-3446 and find it at 5012 FL-48 in Okahumpka.
Fall seasonal events make this a fun one to watch for as the weather cools.
3. Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch, Clermont, FL
Pet-level personalities are the whole point at this Clermont ranch. Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch specializes in Mini Highland and HighPark cattle bred for friendly, fluffy temperaments that feel more like family pets than farm animals.
The ranch keeps a premium selection of HiBelts and eye-catching Panda-marked crosses, so the cattle here come in some seriously photogenic colors. Registered or registrable genetics are part of the appeal for anyone curious about the breeds.
Cattle are not the only stars either. The ranch also breeds and raises miniature donkeys, adding another layer of cuteness to your visit.
There is a big reason to keep an eye on their calendar this season. A Mini Cow Safari is set to start later in the year, and joining their newsletter gets you first access to dates and available calves.
Weekend hours run Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM and Sunday from 10 AM to 12 PM, with on-site parking and a restroom available. Find it at 8100 Jameson Farm Rd in Clermont.
4. Eastside Acres Ranch, Port St. Lucie, FL
Over on the Treasure Coast, a family-run farm turns a simple visit into a hands-on afternoon. Eastside Acres Ranch invites guests for an interactive experience where you meet Highland cows along with alpacas, goats, and a whole cast of friendly animals.
Staff hand you treats and walk you through feeding the cows, the donkey, and the horse as you make your way across the property. You can also feed llamas and sheep, so the animal list keeps giving.
The farm is clean and the animals are well cared for, which makes the up-close encounters feel relaxed rather than rushed. It leans into cuddly moments with cows, goats, bunnies, and alpacas.
Beyond the petting zoo, the ranch doubles as an event venue for celebrations and kids’ birthday parties. There is on-site parking to make your arrival easy.
You will find it at 6740 Ideal Holding Rd in Port St. Lucie, and calling ahead at 772-405-7165 is a smart move to plan your stop.
5. Rooterville Animal Sanctuary, Melrose, FL
Cow cuddling takes center stage at this peaceful Melrose sanctuary. Established in 2004, Rooterville Animal Sanctuary sits amid natural Florida and lets visitors interact with and cuddle cows while feeding friendly farm animals.
The Highland cow cuddle sessions are the signature draw, and the cows here are gentle enough to let you love on them as much as you like. Watching the herd roam for breakfast is a quiet way to start the morning.
Beyond the pastures, there is a butterfly garden to wander and a gift shop for unique finds. The sanctuary also hosts private events like birthday parties and weddings.
Want to stay longer? You can book a covered wagon or farmhouse, or bring an RV or tent for a full farm getaway.
Hours run Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, so weekend trips work best. It sits at 1208 County Rd 315 in Melrose, and booking a cuddle session ahead of time is the way to go.
6. Cada Farms – Farm Stand, Brooksville, FL
A farm stand and a fluffy cow greeting all in one trip? Cada Farms in Brooksville pulls it off on its small private farm, where private tours introduce you to the adorable Highland cows and the rest of the animal crew.
The feeding and petting portion is a hands-on highlight, and many guests are pleasantly surprised by how much interaction they get with the other farm animals beyond the cows. Cow cuddles are part of the fun.
Do not skip the self-serve farm stand. The shelves hold everything from freeze-dried candy to handmade soaps, all made right there on the farm, plus a you-pick angle worth exploring.
The setting has a calm, welcoming feel that makes it easy to slow down and connect with the animals. The farm is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, which gives you flexibility that many of these farms do not.
Find it at 12367 Filbert Rd in Brooksville, and reaching out at 352-553-4646 helps you line up a tour.
7. Mayhem Ranch, Morriston, FL
If you want the full fall festival experience, this 170-acre spread delivers. Mayhem Ranch is a family-owned agritourism farm in Morriston with more than 50 different species of animals and a specialty in miniature cattle and exotic hoof stock.
Autumn is prime time here. The ranch grows a gorgeous variety of pumpkins and hosts its annual Fall Festival, making it a natural pick for a fall outing.
The animal encounters go big. You can feed different varieties of cows including adorable Highlands, snuggle baby goats, and pet cows, with tractor rides carrying you through the property.
There is a ton packed into a visit, from pig races and horse rides to bounce houses, live music, and food. Some visitors have even gotten to hold a sloth.
Weekend hours run Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. It sits at 17830 SE 40th St in Morriston, and in winter the ranch brings in Santa’s reindeer, so it keeps the magic going year-round.
8. Cypress Creek Ranch, Bonifay, FL
Way up in the Panhandle, a working cattle ranch opens its gates for close encounters. Cypress Creek Ranch in Bonifay is a full farm and cattle ranch, and the Highland cows here have a reputation for being some of the sweetest around.
Visits get you truly up close and personal, with the chance to feed and pet the Highland cows along with chickens, goats, and horses. Kids often end up just as excited about playing with the chickens as meeting the cows.
The ranch also buys and sells horses, cattle, and pigs, so it feels like an authentic working operation rather than a staged attraction. That real-farm energy is part of the charm.
Throughout the year, the ranch occasionally hosts Farm and Ranch holiday festivals, giving you a seasonal reason to plan your trip. Hours run Monday through Saturday from 7 AM to 4 PM.
You will find it at 1059 Wilcox Crossing Rd in Bonifay. Calling ahead at 850-768-4477 is the best way to confirm your visit.
9. Feral Ranch, Lake Helen, FL
Central Florida hides a fuzzy little charmer in Lake Helen. Feral Ranch is a small family farm where miniature cows, goats, and donkeys roam happily, with a specialty in raising healthy calves from breeds like Scottish Highland, Whitepark, Panda, Belties, and Dexter.
What sets this one apart is how close you actually get. Guests receive a small cup of food and get to stand right next to the animals instead of feeding them through a fence.
Kids especially love the play area and the chance to feed cows, goats, and donkeys, with surprise guests like a rabbit, a pig, and even an emu turning up. Meeting a fluffy mini cow is the headline event.
Do not leave without browsing Feral Ranch Finds, the rustic country store stocked with handcrafted items from local artists, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, jams, and ranch merchandise.
Weekend hours run Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM, with free parking and a restroom. Find it at 840 Pineda Rd in Lake Helen.
10. The Ranch 22, Lake Worth Beach, FL
Down in South Florida, a farm visit does double duty as a good deed. The Ranch 22 in Lake Worth Beach welcomes guests to meet its mini moos while helping fuel a nonprofit that supports children and women.
The animal lineup here has a magical mix, with Highland cows, llamas, horses, and more giving the place a unique feel. The cows tend to be the crowd favorite, though a sweet pig runs a close second.
The property itself is often described as a beautiful farm, and the meaningful mission behind it adds an extra reason to feel good about your visit. That combination of pretty setting and purpose is hard to beat.
Visits are scheduled rather than walk-in, so you will want to book your Ranch Visit ahead of time. You can call 561-350-7575 to set things up.
The ranch is located at 10975 61st St S in Lake Worth Beach, making it a convenient pick for anyone in the Palm Beach area looking to meet Highland cows this fall.
