Visit Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm Near St. Louis, Missouri

Popular Plum Hill, Illinois Tourist Stop

The Rainbow Ranch Petting Farm in Plum Hill, Illinois, is preparing for a spring onslaught of baby animals. The ranch located in tiny Plum Hill, Illinois, already has more than 200 animals that call it home, ranging from sheep, miniature donkeys, horses, peacocks, and camels to llamas, goats, fallow deer, chicken, swans, Vietnamese potbelly pigs, a miniature pony, miniature exotic cattle like zebu and miniature Brahmas from India. There's even Zavana the zebra.

And with the spring, there will be an outpouring of babies.

Collecting Becomes Petting Zoo

Once upon a time, former photographer Alan Blumhorst, 47, only showed off his "critters" to friends and neighbors. Many urged him to open it to the public and in February 2002 he finally did, acquiring a US Department of Agriculture permit for a roadside zoo exhibition.

"I've loved animals since I was little," he said. "I knew I was crazy when I wanted a goat and my Pop said, 'What do you want a goat for?' I just thought they were cool."

Now Rainbow Ranch is an agritourism success with church groups and school groups, as well as numerous individuals passing through the hamlet of Plum Hill, located on Illinois Route 15, nine miles west of Nashville, Illinois in Washington County, about a one-hour drive east of St Louis.

Rainbow Ranch mounts regular events besides the spring Baby Bonanza in April. There's also the Rainbow Ranch Roundup in June, the Rainbow Ranch Pumpkin Party and Corn Maze in October, and Christmas in the Barn in December.

Kid-Friendly

Children love the opportunity to wander through the combination barnyard and petting zoo.

The kids enjoy visiting Max the scarlet macaw, Lorenzo and Lover the llamas, Gladys, Godiva, Granola, and Goliath the goats, Zsa Zsa the zebu, Duchess the donkey, Lily the Llama, and Posey the Miniature Pony. Even the smallest and most mundane, like the fluffy rabbits, Rita and Randy, are showered with attention.

And many of the animals are downright enthusiastic about the attention. That's by design.