Visiting Oswald’s Bear Ranch: A Fun Stop on Our Family Road Trip Through Michigan’s U.P.
One of our quick roadside stops to break of the drive on our 10-day family road trip through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was Oswald’s Bear Ranch — home to dozens of rescued black bears. If your kids love animals or you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to see these incredible creatures up close, this is one U.P. attraction worth adding to your travel list, especially if you’re near Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Located just north of Newberry, Oswald’s is the largest bear-only rescue facility in the United States. It’s family-owned and home to over 40 black bears who live in large, natural habitats across four spacious enclosures.
A Fun & Educational Stop for Families
Feed Apples to the Black Bears at Oswald Bear Ranch
From the moment we pulled in, our kids were buzzing with excitement. The entrance is easy to find right off M-123, and there’s plenty of parking for RVs and campers — perfect for those road tripping through the U.P.
Once inside, we followed the gravel paths between enclosures and quickly spotted our first bears lounging in the grass and splashing in ponds. You’ll see bears of different sizes and ages, from playful yearlings to full-grown adults that weigh several hundred pounds.
The walkways are stroller-friendly and well-marked, and the whole visit took us about 45–60 minutes at a relaxed pace. We chose to walk around the larger enclosure to stretch our legs on our road trip.
Feeding the Bears
One of the most unique experiences of visiting Oswald’s is getting to feed the bears apples. You can buy a bag of apples at the entrance for a few dollars, and the kids will love tossing them over the fence and watching the bears catch and devour them.
It’s a simple but memorable experience, especially for younger kids who rarely get to see wildlife this close.
Get a Picture with a Young Bear
Another highlight is the chance to get your picture taken with a young bear cub for an additional fee. It’s a quick, safe photo experience supervised by staff, where you can gently touch the cub and pose for a keepsake photo.
Get your Picture taken with a Bear Cub
Our kids were absolutely thrilled — the cub was soft, curious, and surprisingly calm. The younger bears are raised with care and only participate in short photo sessions. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime family moments that you’ll talk about for years.
And even if you don’t do the photo, watching the young cubs play together is entertainment in itself. We stood for quite a while watching them climb, splash, and wrestle in a giant water tub — clearly having as much fun as the visitors watching them!
Admission & Hours
Admission (2025): $25 per vehicle (up to 7 people)
Photo with Young Bear: Additional fee ($10.00 cash only)
Bags of Apples: ($4.00)Available for purchase at entrance
Open Season: Memorial Day through the end of September (check official website or Facebook page for exact dates and hours)
This flat entry fee makes it a great value for families — especially large ones like ours!
Plan Your Visit
Location: 13814 Co Rd 407, Newberry, MI 49868
Season: Memorial Day – End of September
Website: Oswald’s Bear Ranch WebSite
A Little History: How Oswald’s Bear Ranch Began
Oswald’s Bear Ranch was founded by Dean and Jewel Oswald in the late 1980s. What started as a safe haven for one rescued bear turned into a full-scale sanctuary committed to caring for black bears that could no longer survive in the wild.
The ranch now spans over 240 acres, divided into separate habitats for males, females, and younger bears. The Oswald family continues to run the ranch and are passionate about giving each bear a safe, natural home where visitors can learn to appreciate them up close.
Meet the Stars: The Bears of Oswald’s
Each bear at Oswald’s has its own personality, and some have become local celebrities over the years. The ranch’s most famous resident was “Bruno,” a massive black bear who weighed over 900 pounds — believed to be one of the largest in Michigan!
While Bruno has since passed, his story remains a big part of the ranch’s legacy. You’ll see photos and displays honoring him near the entrance, reminding visitors just how incredible these animals are.
Fun Facts About Black Bears in Michigan
Michigan is home to around 10,000–12,000 black bears, mostly found in the Upper Peninsula.
Despite their size, black bears are excellent climbers and swimmers.
They can run up to 30 miles per hour when startled!
Black bears are omnivores, eating berries, insects, nuts, and fish — and apparently, they never say no to apples.
Cubs are born in winter while the mother hibernates and usually stay with her for about a year and a half.
View Black Bears
Learning these facts as we explored made it feel like both an educational and adventurous stop.
Tips for Visiting with Kids
Bring your camera — there are plenty of great photo ops near the fences and lookout points.
Wear comfy shoes; the ranch is spread out but very walkable.
Arrive earlier in the day if you want to see the bears when they’re most active.
Feeding apples is safe and encouraged, but always toss them from a distance.
Plan to spend about an hour here — it’s the perfect stretch-your-legs stop between hikes or waterfalls.
Why We Enjoyed It
After days of chasing waterfalls, hiking, and camping on our road trip through Upper Peninsula, Oswald’s Bear Ranch was a refreshing change of pace. It’s the kind of stop that sparks curiosity, gives kids a closer look at wildlife, and adds a bit of “wow” to a road trip through the Upper Peninsula.
The highlight for our family was seeing the playful cubs splashing in their tub, and of course, snapping that unforgettable photo with a bear. It’s also heartwarming to know that every visit helps support rescued bears living in a safe, natural environment.
Our Family Review — Is Oswald’s Bear Ranch Worth the Stop?
Yes. For our family of six, Oswald’s Bear Ranch was a great spot to stretch your legs during our Upper Peninsula road trip. It’s unique, affordable, and easy to fit into your travel day — especially if you’re driving between Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks.
The kids were intrigued from the moment we walked in. Feeding the bears apples and watching the cubs play in their tub kept everyone smiling, and that quick photo with a young bear was such a memorable experience. It’s not every day you get to safely stand next to one!
We also appreciated that our visit supports rescued animals and helps maintain a sanctuary for bears who can’t live in the wild. The owners’ passion for these animals is clear.
If you’re traveling through the U.P. with kids — whether it’s your first time or your fifth — Oswald’s Bear Ranch is a great addition to your itinerary. It’s a fun and educational stop that brings the excitement of seeing wildlife combined with conservation. Save and pin for later and follow Discovering Anew for more Michigan family travel.
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