Just minutes from Huntsville in Hazel Green, Alabama, The Boyd Family Farm delivers a weekend escape brimming with farm-fresh thrills and rare animal encounters. In its Wild Reserve, curious guests stroll among zebras, kangaroos, capybaras, and lemurs, an intimate wildlife adventure that feels worlds away from the everyday. Back on solid ground, a hands-on petting zoo, towering slide, and colorful playground spark endless laughs, while four acres of no-spray blueberry bushes invite you to fill your bucket with sun-sweet berries. When the seasons shift, festive Pumpkin Days and the Fall Market drape the farm in autumnal magic, turning every visit into a celebration of nature, flavor, and fun.
Wild Reserve Animal Park
Embark on an intimate safari adventure just outside Huntsville. For only $10 per person (ages 3+), you gain unlimited access to immersive habitats and family-friendly amenities designed to delight guests of all ages.
• Rare Wildlife Encounters
Stroll through spacious, naturalistic enclosures and marvel at zebras, kangaroos, lemurs, and other exotic species as they roam freely in settings that mirror their native homes.
• Interactive Petting Zoo
Cuddle baby goats, hand-feed friendly sheep, and meet miniature farm animals in a safe, supervised environment, perfect for children and the young at heart.
• Playgrounds & Giant Slide
Let off steam on colorful playground structures or race down the farm’s signature giant slide, where laughter echoes beneath the pavilion canopy.
• Scenic Rest Spots
Pause on shaded benches tucked beneath old-growth trees. These peaceful perches offer front-row views of grazing zebras and a secret waterfall tucked among the foliage.
Every dollar of your admission goes directly toward top-quality animal care, habitat enhancements, and new attractions. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Party Pavilion and gift shop, slated to open later this season for birthdays, field trips, and special events.
Berry Patch: 2,000+ No-Spray Blueberries
When Jared and Elaine Boyd acquired the property in 2018, they discovered a forgotten thicket of wild blueberry bushes hiding beneath the weeds, a secret treasure begging to be revived. Through patient pruning, soil enrichment, and purely organic care, that tangled patch has blossomed into four sun-drenched acres of no-spray blueberries. Today, over 2,000 robust bushes stand heavy with plump, deep-blue berries, beckoning visitors to fill their buckets with nature’s sweetest harvest.
How to Pick Blueberries:
1. Swing by the entrance station to grab a sturdy harvesting bucket and a pair of clippers.
2. Step into the sun-dappled rows and search for berries that are deep cobalt blue and plump, gently roll each between thumb and forefinger to release it with a clean snap.
3. Fill your bucket to the brim, sampling a few warm from the sun, then plan to bake them into pies, stir into overnight oats, or freeze for smoothies.
Admission to the Wild Reserve includes U-Pick blueberry access throughout berry season. Carve out a Saturday or Sunday morning and let your arms overflow with nature’s sweetest treasures!
Pumpkin Days & Fall Market
As September’s golden light fades into October’s crisp air, The Boyd Family Farm pivots from berry bliss to autumnal celebration. Pumpkin Days and the eagerly awaited Fall Market arrive with all the trappings of a perfect harvest festival, from carved gourds, hayrides, artisan vendors, and family fun under amber skies.
Dates & Hours
• Pumpkin Days (Fridays & Saturdays): 10 AM–6 PM CT
• Pumpkin Days (Sundays): 2 PM–6 PM CT
• Special Early Mornings: September 27 & October 10–11, 9 AM–12 PM CT
• Fall Market Celebration: October 4, 10 AM–6 PM CT
Mark your calendar for weekend wanderings through the pumpkin patch and don’t miss the one-day Fall Market, your gateway to local crafts, gourmet bites, and harvest-time enchantment.
• Activities & Offerings
• Hay rides depart on tractor-drawn wagons Fridays from 2–6 PM and run all day Saturday & Sunday, winding through vibrant pumpkin rows and scenic farm vistas.
• At the Fall Market, discover artisan vendors selling handmade crafts and seasonal décor, let little ones transform into festive creatures at the face-painting booth, and savor flavors from gourmet food trucks parked under swaying autumn branches.
• The pumpkin patch features locally sourced gourds in every size: Micro pumpkins for $1, Minis at $2, Smalls for $4, Larges at $8, and the show-stopping Ridiculously Large pumpkins priced at $35, perfect for carving contests or porch displays.
• Just $1 buys a feed cup for the petting zoo, where friendly goats, sheep, and other barnyard pals await your gentle hand and warm smiles.
Whether you’re carving jack-o’-lanterns, wandering fields of orange, or hunting for that perfect oversized gourd, Pumpkin Days brings fall magic to life.
Special Events & Party Pavilion
Looking to host an event that truly stands out? The Boyd Family Farm’s brand-new Party Pavilion provides over 800 square feet of covered, weather-protected space framed by its rolling fields and rustic charm. Perfect for birthday celebrations, school field trips, corporate retreats, or any gathering in between, the pavilion features flexible seating layouts, ambient lighting, and easy access to hayrides, the petting zoo, and U-Pick fields. Inquire about group rates, curated catering menus, and special add-ons, such as farm-fresh tablescapes or guided animal encounters, to create a fully customized, unforgettable experience for every guest.
Meet Jared & Elaine Boyd
Behind every bloom and animal habitat at The Boyd Family Farm are Jared and Elaine Boyd. Jared’s path, from high school science teacher to zoo educator to software developer, infuses each animal talk with curiosity, conservation passion, and a knack for storytelling. Elaine, a computer engineer raised on a half-acre blueberry patch, applies decades of hands-on farm experience to nurturing the 2,000-plus no-spray blueberry bushes and caring for goats, sheep, and chickens with genuine devotion. By day, the couple innovates in Huntsville’s tech sector; by weekend, they transform their acreage into a living classroom and playground, inviting guests to unwind, explore, and reconnect with nature just outside the city.
Plan Your Visit
Location
916 State Line Rd., Hazel Green, AL
Seasonal Weekend Hours
Friday–Sunday (Pumpkin Days & reopening updates on Facebook)
Reopening for Pumpkin Days: September 20, 2025
Admission
$10 per person (ages 3 and up)
Connect & Learn More
Website: https://www.theboydfamilyfarm.com
Phone: 256-829-5116
From zebra stripes and kangaroo hops to sun-warmed berries and hand-picked pumpkins, The Boyd Family Farm fuses exotic wildlife thrills with down-home, farm-fresh charm. Gather your loved ones and journey to Hazel Green, where every moment blossoms into a story you’ll carry home long after the season ends.