3156. Go to Oswald Bear Ranch in Newberry

 I knew we had a couple hours in the afternoon after checked out Tahquamenon Falls before we had to start heading back to St. Ignace. The book 101 Things to do in the U.P. mentioned going to Oswald Bear Ranch or MI DOG to see the sled dogs, both in Newberry. Only Oswald Bear Ranch was going to be open. I gave the hubby several options for the afternoon and he decided that Oswald Bear Ranch was the best option.

Oswald Bear Ranch is located just north of Newberry in the Upper Peninsula. It is open Memorial Day Weekend through the first Sunday in October 9:30-5. It is $30/carload. Vans are $30 up to 6 people and $10 for each additional person. For solo travelers it is $15. There is plenty of parking on site. 

Oswald Bear Ranch is a black bear conservatory and is the largest black bear only ranch in North America.  They have several enclosures featuring natural habitats. The males and females are kept separate as it is illegal to breed black bears in Michigan.

The hubby's question to me when we were deciding where to go was  "Is this a zoo?" Oswald Bear Ranch is most definitely not a zoo. It a space where rescued bears can roam in their natural habitats. You can walk around the pens to view all the bears. 

Our first stop was the males and they were some big bears. You can buy apples to feed them so they were ready to snatch up those pieces and enjoy a tasty treat. We walked around the entire enclosure which is about a 1/2 mile loop. 

One bear was even swimming.

We checked out the females as well. They liked to roam.

I even convinced the hubby to get our picture with a cub. It is $10 to get a picture with a cub and that is for up to 9 people. You can actual pet the bear while he feasts on marshmallow fluff. Bears have coarse fur. 

It was definitely one of our highlights of the trip. 

If you are in the U.P., definitely check out Oswald Bear Ranch. It is worth the trip.