Glamping With Animals Near Orlando: 2 Florida Farm Stays We Loved

What "glamping with animals" actually means here

Neither of these is a drive-through safari or a day-trip petting zoo. They're small, family-run farms that added overnight stays, a yurt at Hodges, an A-frame cabin or geodesic dome at Adama Acres, so guests can hang around after the day-trippers leave. That's the part that makes it worth the drive: quiet evenings at a fire pit, animals that wander right up to the fence, and mornings where the first thing you hear isn't traffic, it's a rooster. Both farms told us reservations are required and both book through Airbnb, so plan ahead rather than showing up hoping for a room.

Hodges Hidden Highlands Farm in Middleburg, FL

Hodges Hidden Highlands Farm is a family-run Highland cattle farm outside Jacksonville that also raises Nigerian dwarf goats, sheep, alpacas, and llamas, with miniature donkeys reportedly on the way. Beyond overnight stays, they host farm visits, photo sessions, birthday parties, and even marriage proposals.

We stayed in one of the two yurts, and it's a genuinely comfortable setup for a farm in the woods: air conditioning, a real queen bed, and Japanese floor mats laid out so we could bring an extra person along without anyone sleeping on the ground. But the animals are the real draw. There's a Highland cow named Oppie who will absolutely lean into you for a scratch, and two llamas, Ollie and Chevy, who made it very clear they were running the place. Every animal we met was people-friendly, and the hosts let us bottle-feed a few of the younger ones, which was easily the highlight of the visit.

It's a quiet, no-frills kind of remote, no cell signal to speak of, no restaurant next door, which is exactly the point. Bring what you need, settle in at the fire pit once the sun goes down, and let Ollie and Chevy heckle you from the fence line.

See the Hodges Hidden Highlands Airbnb

Adama Acres Ranch in Trenton, FL

Adama Acres Ranch sits on more than 800 acres outside Gainesville, and it leans more "ranch resort" than "backyard farm." Alongside the animals, they run ATV tours across the property and offer a handful of unique stays, from a cozy A-frame cabin to a geodesic dome.

Adama Acres felt like the more luxurious of the two stays: the cabin-style setup makes it easy to bring the whole family without anyone roughing it. But the sheer range of animals is what stuck with us. In one afternoon we hand-fed cows, alpacas, and goats, watched horses and zebras share a pasture, and got genuinely surprised walking up on a camel and a porcupine on the same property. The ATV tour is worth building your visit around. It's the best way to see how much of the 800 acres you'd otherwise miss on foot, and it's a good excuse to explore before settling in at the fire pit for the night.

See the Adama Acres Airbnb

Which one should you book?

Honestly, we'd go back to both. If you want something quieter and more intimate, a smaller herd, animals with names you'll actually remember, and a straightforward yurt stay, Hodges Hidden Highlands Farm is the pick. If you want more ground to cover, a wider variety of animals, and an ATV tour with your morning coffee, Adama Acres Ranch is the one. Both work well for couples looking for an unusual date-night getaway and for families with kids who want to do more than look at animals through a fence.

Good to know before you go

• Both farms require a reservation and book directly through Airbnb. Don't plan on walking up without one.
• Confirm bottle-feeding and hand-feeding availability with the host ahead of time, since it can depend on which animals are due for feeding that day.
• Both properties are genuinely remote. Expect little to no cell signal, and plan your route and any grocery stops before you head out.
• Pack for the fire pit: layers for the evening, closed-toe shoes for walking around animals, and a change of clothes if you're bottle-feeding.
• Rates, hours, and availability change by season. Check each farm's current Airbnb listing before you lock in a date.

More Central Florida day trips

Looking for something closer to home first? Browse more outdoor experiences and day trips and getaways near Orlando, or see our unusual date-night ideas guide for something shorter than a two-hour drive.

Last verified July 16, 2026. Addresses and animal details come from each farm's own listing. Always confirm hours, pricing, and availability directly before booking.