There Really is a Bear Ranch in Michigan

I remember as a kid road signs as we would travel south, See Rock City! How about The Amazing Place! I could never get my parents to stop to see just how amazing it was. Here in Michigan, Deer Park Funland, a great place where you could feed the deer. By the way, we know it now as Michigan's Adventure. But never did I see a sign that advertised a Bear Ranch, and that's because I wasn't in the UP!

Oswald's Bear Ranch, located just north of Newberry in the UP, is the largest (bear only) Bear Ranch in the entire United States. Who knew?

Every bear is a rescue from around the U.S., living the rest of their lives roaming freely throughout the 240 acre refuge.

Oswald, Dean Oswald, opened his Bear Ranch to the public in 1997 and just keeps on  growing. The ranch now has 40 bears, 2 huge habitats (1/2 and 1/3 mile perimeter) and 2 habitats (1/4 mile perimeter each). The yearling bears have a wonderful waterfall within their habitat.

The cool part also is that you can get up close and personal, kind of. Actually you do get to have your picture taking with a cub.

Fun to be that close? I'm not sure, but Dean Oswald is absolutely sure since he's taken care of them since they were cubs!

Yikes!!! I'm glad that was him and not me. I think I would stay on the other side of the fence.

It would be great to take a family trip up to Newberry before the summer is over!