Imagine opening up the window of your Airbnb and having a Zebra poke his head through to say hello. Or having 3 little goats jump up to hang out on your bed. Believe it or not this dream can be your reality with a stay at the Enchanted Oaks Farm in Ocala, Florida!
From the moment I saw this charming glamping spot pop up on my explore page I knew I wanted to visit! And the fact that they were only a 1.5 hour drive from my new home in Tampa Bay, Florida sealed the deal. However, while I will admit that the whole experience is enchanting, there are a few things about the experience that I was not prepared for. In this post I am breaking down everything you need to know in order to have a successful trip to Enchanted Oaks Farm.
Booking the Airbnb
Enchanted Oaks has 11 different cabins and camper vans for rent on their property. However, the only ones with access to the goats and zebra through your window are the Blue Door Hobbit Cottage, the Green Door Hobbit Cottage, and the Cozy Cabin. The cabins are currently listed at $90-95 per night. Each cabin fits 2 people (there is only one bed in the cabin and minimal floor space) so if you are traveling with 3+ people you will need to book accordingly.
Personally, if I were to do it over and stay the night at Enchanted Oaks Farm I would book 2 rooms. I would book one of the Hobbit Cottages so that I could have access to the farm animals (since it is the main attraction!) but I would also rent a second cabin for sleeping. The reason being is that the goats do jump up and on to your bed so if you are looking for a clean space for sleeping, a second cabin would be your best bet.
Other Cabins for Rent
Click image for Airbnb listing
The Venue
Enchanted Oaks is located in Ocala, Florida and is a beautiful property complete with a lake, fire pits, a lakeside swing and hammocks for relaxation. It is a great space for a group of people looking to unwind and spend time together.
What to Bring
Once you book, the Airbnb host does a great job of sending along a list of everything you may need for your stay. The list includes things like bug spray, flashlight, towels for if you shower, and extra pillows and blankets (especially if you book a Hobbit House Cabin where the animals come in through the window.) I also recommend bringing food and drinks to have on hand in case you want to soak up every moment on the property. And if you are interested in using the firepits, bringing along a lighter, firewood, and s’mores supplies.
What to Know Before You Go
Enchanted Oaks Farm is a glamping experience. While it is a beautiful place to relax and unwind, it is more about the experience than luxury accommodations. There are modern amenities, such as an AC unit, an electrical outlet to charge your phone, and a lamp, but that is it. If you are looking for wifi your best bet is around the outdoor event area. I do want to note that the cabin doors only have a small lock and there are cracks in the cabin where bugs can come in. The bathrooms are also a 3-5 minute walk from the cottage, meaning if you have to go in the middle of the night just be prepared. There are 2 stalls as well as an outdoor shower available.
As far as the farm animals go, keep in mind they ARE animals and during my visit there was no one around monitoring them. The moment you open your window the Zippy the Zebra comes right up and greets you! Definitely the highlight of the trip! Just be warned though that Zebras are known to be aggressive and Zippy is no exception. I highly recommend bringing carrots and he will be your best friend. However, he is known to bite so if you are visiting with small children use caution.
As far as the goats go, the three amigos are extremely cute playing with each other in their pen! However I was not prepared for them to jump up and through my window (and on to my bed!) If you have any food or valuables (say a camera or laptop) I would recommend keeping them outside of the cabin while you have the window open. Also, make sure the front door to the cabin is closed while the window is open! I made that mistake and had a fear that they would dart out the front door and I would have to chase them around the property. Other than that, the goats are extremely friendly.
When you are ready to close the window and have the goats back in the pen, I recommend taking your quilt and lifting it up so that it gently guides them to jump back out the window. And as for Zippy’s head in your window, unfortunately the door opens outward so you do have to get him out of the way before you can close it. I would recommend taking a carrot or two and throwing it far from the window so that he moves out of the way. If that doesn’t work, walk out of your cabin and feed him a carrot off to the side while someone closes the window from inside.
Overall Recommendation
Enchanted Oaks Farm is a very unique place and one of its kind in Florida! If camping is not your thing, I recommend doing what I did: booking the Airbnb and just doing a day trip to visit the property. As long as you have carrots and are prepared for the goats to jump up and on to your bed, it truly is an enchanted experience.
Did you find this post helpful? Then check out some of our other Florida guides, including itineraries to Miami Beach and a Disney themed guide to Lake County.
