Ogemaw Nature Park
West Branch, MI
- Admission
- Free
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Ogemaw Nature Park
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Ogemaw Nature Park say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Ogemaw Nature Park
Ogemaw Nature Park is a deer park in Ogemaw County, Michigan, also known as The Game Refuge. Its website gives the address as 5626 W Rose City Rd, between Rose City and St. Helen. The park's stated purpose is to give children and adults an up-close experience with Michigan's whitetail deer.
The website says the park's goal is to inform the public about how precious a resource the deer are and the role hunters play in the survival of the species. There is no admittance charge, according to the park's website. The park is not AZA-accredited.
Exhibits and habitats
The whitetail deer are the park's main animals. The website invites families to bring children to feed and pet the deer.
Feeding is governed by a rule posted on the site: visitors are asked not to bring outside food or snacks for the deer. The site specifically warns that sugary items such as frosted mini-wheats are very harmful to the deer.
Planning your visit
The park's website lists its new summer hours as 10 am to 8 pm.
The park does not accept animals of any kind, so visitors cannot bring pets. The grounds include a picnic area with grills and a gazebo. A hall is available to rent for weddings, birthdays or other events. The website also says volunteers are needed and asks them to contact the caretaker by Facebook or phone.
The park's phone number is listed as 989-312-3468, and callers are asked to leave a message. Hall rental details are available by phone.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Dates of the season and hours outside summer
- Parking
- History of the park and when it opened
- How deer feeding is supplied on site
- Rental terms for the hall
Ogemaw Nature Park compared with nearby zoos
How Ogemaw Nature Park lines up against other zoos in the same state. We don't have coordinates for it yet, so these aren't ranked by distance.
| Zoo | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogemaw Nature ParkThis zooWest Branch, MI | Free | Summer hours 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; October hours not posted. | — | No |
| Anderson & Girls OrchardsStanton, MI | Free | May–October daily 9 AM – 6 PM; Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec 9 AM – 5 PM. | — | No |
| Binder Park ZooBattle Creek, MI | $19.95 | October: Mon–Fri 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sat–Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission closes 30 minutes before zoo closing. | 433 acres | Yes |
| Deer Tracks JunctionCedar Springs, MI | $19.99 | Fall: Fri, Sat, Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, last entry 5:00 PM; open weekends through Oct 18. | — | No |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Ogemaw Nature Park: common questions
Is there an admission fee at Ogemaw Nature Park?
The park's website says there is no admittance charge.
What animals can visitors see?
The website describes whitetail deer as the park's animals.
Can visitors feed the deer?
Yes, the website says visitors can feed and pet the deer, and asks that visitors not bring outside food or snacks for them.
Can pets visit?
No. The website says the park does not accept animals of any kind.
Can the hall be rented?
The website says a hall is available to rent for weddings, birthdays and other events.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.