Some animals are meant to be admired from behind a fence. Highland cows, with their shaggy bangs and patient faces, seem to ask for something closer.
Out in the Randolph County countryside near Asheboro, there is a family-run farm where getting up close is the whole point. Guests feed goats, meet a pig named June, say hello to small donkeys, and spend real time with Highland cattle that are used to people.
Kids bottle-feed baby cows here, birthday parties fill a roomy event building, and photographers keep coming back for cuddly cow portraits. A silver lab even helps greet guests at the gate.
Keep reading to learn where this North Carolina farm is, what a visit includes, who runs it, and how to plan a weekend outing that might just turn into your new favorite family tradition.
A Pasture Address Worth Saving
Mark your map, because the shaggiest welcome committee in the Piedmont lives at Cellar Creek Farm, 3015 Stream Watch Trail, Asheboro, NC 27205. It sits in Randolph County, right in the middle of North Carolina.
For many folks across the state, Asheboro is already a familiar weekend destination. That central spot makes the farm a reasonable day trip from plenty of Piedmont towns and cities.
Cellar Creek Farm is a working, family-run farm that opens its gates for scheduled animal experiences. The headline act is a herd of Highland cattle, including miniature Highlands.
They share the property with goats, pigs, and small donkeys.
Visits are not a drive-through situation. Guests book ahead, arrive at the gate, and are guided around the farm by people who know each animal by name.
That personal approach shapes everything about the place. It feels less like an attraction and more like being invited onto someone’s land for the morning.
The setting is calm and rural, with tidy grounds and open pasture. Once the gate swings open, the real fun starts with the folks who make it all happen.
The Family Behind the Fence
Every good farm story starts with people, and this one is no exception. Amanda and Michael run Cellar Creek Farm as a true family operation.
Their names come up again and again from guests who describe them as friendly, knowledgeable, and gracious hosts. They spend plenty of time with their cattle, which helps explain why the cows are so comfortable around people.
Family involvement goes beyond the owners. Tour guides named Casey and Addie have earned warm praise for making the experience fun.
There is also a well-loved tip floating around among repeat guests. Ask for the owner’s mom to lead your tour, since she has quite the fan club.
During visits, the hosts often share how the farm got started and happily answer questions. School groups and curious adults alike tend to leave knowing a lot more about Highland cattle than when they arrived.
Communication gets high marks too. Michael is known for being responsive and quick to share details with anyone who asks.
Of course, not every member of the team walks on two legs, and one of them might greet you first.
Josie, the Unofficial Greeter
Not every tour guide needs a name tag. At Cellar Creek Farm, a silver lab named Josie has been known to meet guests right as they come through the gate.
She has picked up a reputation as a sort of four-legged tour guide. For a farm built around animal connections, it seems fitting that the first hello often comes from a dog.
Josie sets the tone in a simple way. Her easygoing presence tells guests that this is a relaxed place where animals and people mix comfortably.
Families with kids who feel a little nervous about big cows may find that a friendly dog helps break the ice. It is a softer start before meeting animals that weigh quite a bit more.
Of course, the farm’s animals change over time, so there is no promise Josie will be on duty every day. Still, her role says a lot about the overall vibe.
Everyone here, furry or not, seems to be part of the welcome. Once the greeting is done, it is time to meet the stars with the famous bangs.
Bangs, Horns, and Big Hugs
Yes, the hug in the headline is real. The Highland cattle at Cellar Creek Farm are used to human company, so guests get genuine up-close time with them.
These cows have a fan base that borders on obsession. Friends have driven in just to surprise a Highland-loving buddy, and some guests admit they look for any excuse to come back.
Fun fact for the road: Highland cattle are a Scottish breed, and their long coats and forelocks are what give them that famous shaggy look. Some folks lovingly call them coos.
The farm’s cows are described as calm and well cared for, which matters when visitors want to lean in close. Their relaxed temperament comes from all the time the owners spend with them.
Several cows have become local celebrities in their own right. Ruby and Sadie, for example, have even made appearances at a wedding.
Guests can pet them, pose with them, and simply hang out. For anyone who has scrolled past Highland cow photos online and wished for one in real life, the moment finally arrives here.
The cows may be the headliners, but the supporting cast deserves applause too.
Baby Coos and Bottle Time
Ask a kid what the best part was, and the answer might come out in a squeal. Bottle-feeding a baby Highland calf is a highlight for many young guests.
The farm offers baby Highland cow sessions that let children get close to a young calf. Parents describe these as well worth it, especially for little ones who want their own moment with a cow.
A homeschool group that visited on a field trip named bottle-feeding the baby coo as the top memory of the morning. That is quite a compliment from a group that also met goats, pigs, and donkeys.
Baby calves are not available every day, since farm life follows its own calendar. It is smart to ask about calf sessions when booking.
These sessions can also work nicely for photos. A tiny Highland with a puffball coat tends to steal the frame.
For families, the bottle-feeding moment may become a story kids tell for years. It turns a petting experience into a little bit of real farm work.
Next up, a pig with a name worth remembering.
June, the Goats, and Two Little Donkeys
Here is a cast list worth memorizing: a pig named June, a lineup of goats and baby goats, and a pair of small donkeys. Together they round out the farm tour.
Tours cover the whole property, so guests meet more than just the cows. The variety keeps things lively for kids who want to visit every pen.
Goats tend to be crowd favorites. One goat named Sarah has her own fan club among returning guests.
Baby pigs have also been a big hit at kids’ parties. Children often head straight for them before circling back to the cows.
The miniature donkeys add a calm, sweet presence. Their small size makes them approachable even for younger children.
Hosts provide animal cookies during visits, so kids can feed the animals and see them up close. Groups mention never feeling rushed, which leaves time for every animal to get some attention.
Guests who did not grow up around animals often say this was their favorite part. There is something about a curious goat that makes everyone laugh.
With this many willing models, it is no surprise cameras come out quickly.
A Photographer’s Favorite Backdrop
Cameras are not just allowed here. They are encouraged.
Cellar Creek Farm has become a go-to location for cuddly cow photos. Photographers return again and again, and some call it their permanent spot for Highland portraits.
The farm hosts mini Highland cow portrait sessions. Booking happens through an easy online reservation system, which makes planning simple for both photographers and families.
Hosts help guests get strong shots with the cows and other available animals. That hands-on help matters, since even the calmest cow does not always look at the lens on cue.
The property has been used for family photos, holiday pictures, and even a surprise senior portrait session. The grounds offer a gorgeous rural setting that suits many styles of photography.
Photographers mention clean amenities and a welcoming team that treats them and their clients like family. That kind of support can make a session feel smooth instead of stressful.
Families planning holiday cards or milestone portraits may want to book early. A Highland cow in the frame tends to make the shot.
Photos are great, but some guests come to celebrate something bigger.
Birthday Parties With Hooves
Forget the bounce house. Around Asheboro, some kids are blowing out candles next to a Highland cow.
Cellar Creek Farm hosts birthday parties, and its newer event building gives groups plenty of space. Families describe the venue as clean and well set up, with lots of tables and chairs.
Party packages can include the petting zoo and a cow experience. That combo lets kids celebrate and meet animals in one outing.
Celebrations here span many ages. A second birthday, a fourteenth birthday wish, and adult birthday surprises have all happened on the farm.
One couple texted just three days ahead for a birthday visit, and the hosts opened a new reservation even though they were full. Results like that are not guaranteed, but they show how flexible the family tries to be.
Some parents admit they get more excited than their kids. One mom already had the next party booked before the last one faded from memory.
Parents who want a party that stands out may find this a fresh option. Just plan for lots of photos.
Birthdays are only the start of the event calendar.
Santa Visits, Paint Nights, and Wedding Cows
Some farms do one thing well. Cellar Creek Farm keeps adding new reasons to visit.
Around the holidays, the farm has hosted a Santa visit. Families have used it for festive photos and a dose of seasonal cheer in a farm setting.
There have also been paint parties on the property. Friends can gather for a creative afternoon with Highland cows nearby.
Homeschool groups have booked field trips here too. Kids feed animals while the hosts explain how the farm started and answer every question.
Then there are weddings. The farm has brought cows named Ruby and Sadie out to a wedding, and guests were delighted.
That kind of appearance shows how comfortable these animals are around crowds. It also shows how far the family is willing to go to make an event special.
Event offerings may change from season to season. Checking the farm’s website is the best way to see what is coming up next.
For people who fall hard for Highland cattle, though, a visit sometimes leads to a much bigger decision.
Taking a Highland Home
Falling for a Highland cow is easy. At Cellar Creek Farm, a few people have taken that crush all the way home.
The farm sells animals, including Mini Scottish Highland cattle. Buyers describe Michael as communicative and quick to share any information they need.
New owners say the family tries hard to explain how to care for their new animal. That guidance matters for first-time cattle owners who want to start on the right foot.
One buyer brought home a heifer named Rossi and praised her calm temperament. Another couple called their purchase their first Highland, but not their last.
The farm has also sold miniature donkeys. One was even delivered to a buyer’s farm in Tennessee.
Most guests will stick with hugs and photos, and that is plenty. Still, it is good to know where to turn if a backyard pasture starts calling.
Anyone serious about buying should reach out through the farm’s website for current availability. Animals and details will vary.
Whether shopping or just visiting, the farm experience itself comes with some handy comforts.
Planning the Visit
Good news for planners: the logistics here are refreshingly simple. Visits are booked ahead through the farm’s online reservation system.
Booking early is wise, since tours and sessions can fill up. Specific hours and prices are best confirmed directly on the farm’s website, cellarcreekfarm.com.
Once on site, there is plenty of parking. A bathroom is available on the property, which parents of small kids will appreciate.
Guests have found a table with complimentary snacks and water during tours. It is a small touch that makes a morning on the farm more comfortable.
The grounds are well kept and clean throughout. Groups say they never felt rushed, so there is time to enjoy every animal.
Since this is a working farm, closed-toe shoes and clothes that can handle a little dirt are a smart choice. Cows are fluffy, but farms are still farms.
Is it worth the cost? Guests often say yes, calling the money well spent and the experience worth every penny.
With the plan in place, one question remains: who will enjoy this most?
A Moo-ving Reason to Head to Asheboro
Some outings fade from memory by Monday. A morning hugging a Highland cow in Randolph County tends to stick around much longer.
Cellar Creek Farm suits a wide range of North Carolinians. Families with toddlers, teens celebrating milestones, homeschool groups, couples, photographers, and grown-up Highland fans all find something here.
The heart of the place is its people. A caring family, helpful guides, and calm animals create a peaceful setting where nobody feels hurried.
Guests who arrive as city folks sometimes leave joking about becoming farm hands. That says a lot about how welcoming the experience feels.
The farm also fits neatly into a weekend in Asheboro. It is a fresh, hands-on option that feels personal rather than crowded.
It holds a near-perfect 4.9-star standing, and the enthusiasm is easy to understand. Few places in the state offer this much quality time with Highland cattle.
So book the tour, charge the phone, and bring someone who has been begging to meet a fluffy cow. North Carolina has one waiting with its bangs already brushed.
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