Reindeer have an unbreakable link to our Christmas traditions, thanks to their task of pulling Santa’s sleigh. How can the jolly old guy deliver presents without those magical reindeer to fly him around the world? Of course, reindeer don’t really fly, but the spirit of that Christmas story still helps draw scores of visitors to reindeer farms every holiday season.
Reindeer are closely related to caribou but are a separate subspecies of deer. These subspecies vary greatly in size and color, but most are unique among deer because the females also have antlers. Relative to body size, reindeer have the largest antlers of all deer species. Interestingly, the males lose their antlers every year in late autumn or early winter, while the females keep their antlers until they calve.
The animals are native to colder regions, including the Arctic and mountainous regions of Northern Europe, Siberia, and North America. In the winter, they will comfortably live outdoors but need shelter and water to wade in during the summer and in warmer climates. Reindeer are also unique in that they’re the only successfully semi-domesticated deer species on a large scale in the world.
It’s hard to find an exact count of reindeer farms in the US, but there are several across the country, particularly in Alaska, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Some notable large farms with long histories include:
The Reindeer Farm: The largest herd in the United States is believed to belong to “The Reindeer Farm” in Palmer, Alaska, owned and run by the family of Tom and Gene Williams since the 1950s. Tom had apparently been dreaming of owning reindeer since he was a boy on his family’s dairy farm. In 1987, he traveled to Northern Canada to purchase the farm’s first herd of 20 reindeer. Over the years, they grew the herd to as many as 300 reindeer. Today, their oldest daughter, Denise Williams Hardy, continues to carry on the tradition and expand the farm with her own family. The farm itself offers guided tours and interactive, hands-on educational experiences kids and adults alike.
DMDK Reindeer Farm: Locatedin Lake Crystal, Minnesota, and formerly known as Crystal Collection Reindeer Farm, this family-owned operation rents their reindeer! They also sell reindeer and are members of the Reindeer Owners and Breeders Association (ROBA). Through their exhibitions, their deer have shown up on The Discovery Channel, The Mall of America, Canterbury Downs, Graco Companies, FargoDome, and many more.
Leavenworth Reindeer Farm: This family-owned reindeer farm is situated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Leavenworth, Washington. Guests get to hand-feed and interact with the reindeer, and there is even a Santa sleigh for kids to climb on. The farm is open to the public all year long with the exception of March, but winter and the Christmas season are the most popular times. The farm’s annual “Celebrate the Season” tour is their most popular and typically sells out several months in advance. The farm is also making an interesting addition for 2026 – the West Coast’s largest geodesic projection dome, which will feature Northern Lights shows.
Prescott Family Reindeer Farm: The Prescott family has built a charming Christmas tradition with their reindeer farm in Vanzant, Missouri. The farm opens just for the holidays from mid-November through the end of December. The Prescotts introduced a new event this season, “Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus,” that also includes a “unique reindeer encounter.” A regular visit to the farm includes a festive Christmas-themed farm tour featuring not only reindeer but also miniature horses, alpacas, llamas, mini donkeys, horses, chickens, and ducks. The farm also has seasonal treats available and warm drinks, as well as a cozy fire pit on site!
Rooftop Landing Reindeer Farm: Dubbed “Michigan’s own North Pole,” Rooftop Landing’s Reindeer Farm in Clare, Michigan, is open May – September for summer hours and Halloween until just before Christmas for the holiday season. The farm has 18 reindeer, including three new ones welcomed this season. General admission includes feeding Santa’s reindeer, photos with Santa, and sipping hot cocoa. The farm also features a shop dedicated to making candy canes. The shop produces hundreds of candy canes each day during the holiday season, drawing hundreds of visitors every year on its own.
Fun Fact: The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) every year issues a “transit permit” to “Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a distributor with Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc.” that allows him and his reindeer to enter the country “through or over any U.S. border port.” The permit generally waives all applicable entry fees, as well!
