Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm
Clare, MI
- Admission
- —
- 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 Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm
5 confirmed
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm 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 Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm
Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm is a seasonal attraction at 2706 E. Stevenson Lake Road in Clare, Michigan. According to the farm's FAQ page, it sits off US-127, about five miles from Clare and twelve miles from Mount Pleasant. The farm operates a Christmas season and a separate summer season, and is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
WNEM reported in November 2023 that the farm's owner is Danny Aldrich and that about 20 reindeer live on the farm year-round, described in the report as Santa's backup reindeer. The farm also keeps mini Highland cows and alpacas, according to both the report and the farm's website, and the website lists two-toed sloths among its animals.
History
WNEM's November 2023 coverage described a Christmas-season attraction built around the reindeer, a candy shop, a gingerbread house playground and daily appearances by Santa, with the Grinch appearing on occasion and having his own house for photos.
Exhibits and habitats
The website lists adult and baby reindeer, mini Highland cows, alpacas and two-toed sloths. The summer page also lists capybaras among the animals featured.
WNEM described several attractions on the grounds during the 2023 Christmas season: reindeer feeding, heated barn tours, a gingerbread house playground, a gift shop, and a candy shop with the scent of fresh peppermint. According to the report, candy maker Paul Ghinelli, from a family of candy makers, makes candy on site, including candy canes and ribbon candy. The report described the process as boiling the mixture to about 300 degrees, pouring it onto a marble slab, then stretching, rolling, twisting and cutting it into shapes. Ghinelli was quoted as saying that most people think the stripes are painted on, but they are not.
Conservation and programs
The farm's website lists the following Christmas-season experiences: meeting and feeding reindeer, photos with Santa, candy cane making, sloth interactions, Highland cows, farm attractions, treats, and food and drinks. The site describes the Christmas season as including cocoa by the fire. It also offers field trips, season passes and a live reindeer camera online.
The summer season, as described on the website, includes scenic train rides, hands-on animal encounters, photo opportunities, baby reindeer, sloth interactions, alpacas, Highland cows, capybara encounters, a playground and treats. The home page describes a miniature train ride to Rudy's Berry Patch for strawberry picking, and the summer page directs visitors to its Facebook page for strawberry availability.
Planning your visit
As listed on the farm's website, the 2026 Christmas season runs from October 31 through December 23. The listed schedule is October 31; Saturdays and Sundays from November 1 to 22; November 27, 28 and 29; Wednesday through Sunday from December 2 to 20; and December 21 to 23. The website says a flash sale for Christmas season tickets begins October 19. The FAQ page describes summer hours from May through September and a holiday season from Halloween until just before Christmas, with specific days and times posted on the farm's Facebook page. It notes that holiday-season hours change as Christmas approaches.
According to the FAQ page, visitors are asked to arrive sometime within their ticket time slot and may stay until closing. Online ticket purchase is recommended, and ticket and season pass details are on the website. The FAQ states that the farm does not currently offer discounts for specific groups. No dogs are permitted at the farm, which the farm attributes to the safety and comfort of the farm animals and guests. The farm's phone number is 517-749-4866.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Parking
- Accessibility details
- Founding year
Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm compared with nearby zoos
How Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooftop Landing Reindeer FarmThis zooClare, MI | — | Seasonal farm: summer season May–September and Christmas season Oct 31 – Dec 23, 2026. Christmas dates: Oct 31; Nov 1–22 Sat & Sun; Nov 27, 28 & 29; Dec 2–20 Wed–Sun; Dec 21–23. Daily times not posted on the site (timed-entry tickets; see Facebook schedule). Closed until the Christmas season opens Oct 31, 2026. | — | 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
Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm: common questions
Where is Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm?
At 2706 E. Stevenson Lake Road in Clare, Michigan, off US-127.
When is the Christmas season in 2026?
The farm's website lists October 31 through December 23, with the day-by-day schedule posted there.
What animals are at the farm?
The website lists reindeer, mini Highland cows, alpacas, sloths and, on its summer page, capybaras.
Are dogs allowed?
No. The farm states that no dogs are permitted.
Is there a summer season?
Yes. The farm's FAQ describes a summer season from May through September on select dates.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.