Forgotten Michigan Zoo: Animal Land, Crawford County

Michigan loves its animals...so much so, that there were a good handful of small zoos, animal refuges, and parks scattered throughout northern Michigan.

Animal Land was one, located at 7486 W. Batterson Road in Frederic, Crawford County.

It was one of those roadside places you just happened to come across with no planning...it’s just all of a sudden there. You could stop, see the wild animals, and even feed them in their cages: bears, deer, monkeys, and more.

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Years of operation are unknown, but the postcards look like they originated during the 1960s. After the zoo closed, the property was turned into the Happi Days Diner and Campground (was it spelled “Happi Days” to avoid getting sued by the TV show “Happy Days”?).

The structure that was once the diner still stands, and Google Maps shows an area behind the former zoo that was the campground, believed to be closed as well.

The zoo was just off Old 27 on W. Batterson Road and might be a quick curiosity stop on your next Michigan roadtrip.