Walnut Creek Farm

Why go: A private hour with a herd of Scottish Highland cows on a family farm in the Smoky Mountains. Feed them, brush them, and get slobbery kisses from some of the friendliest animals you’ll ever meet. $20 per person, by reservation only, book before you arrive.

About Walnut Creek Farm

Tucked into the rolling pastures of the Smoky Mountains just outside Bryson City, Walnut Creek Farm is home to one of Western North Carolina’s most unexpected and genuinely delightful animal encounters, a herd of Scottish Highland cows, affectionately known as “Coos.” With their long, shaggy coats, sweeping horns, and characteristically gentle temperaments, Highland cows have a way of stopping people in their tracks. At Walnut Creek Farm, you don’t just look at them from a distance, you feed them, brush them, and spend an unhurried hour getting to know them up close.

The farm is a family operation in every sense of the word. Faye, Robbie, and Hilary Bumgarner, mother, son, and daughter-in-law, have been farming this land since 2019, when what started as a single Highland bull grew into a full herd with a life of its own. The land itself has been in Faye’s family for generations. In the spring of 2024, they began opening the farm to visitors, and the response has been exactly what anyone who has ever met a Highland cow would predict, pure joy.

Faye handles all visitor experiences personally, which means every visit is guided by someone who genuinely knows and loves every animal on the property. Visits are booked as private one-hour sessions, so your group has the herd entirely to themselves for the duration of your time on the farm.

Getting to Walnut Creek Farm

Walnut Creek Farm is located at 2155 Guge Road in Bryson City, a short drive from downtown. Because visits are by reservation only, you’ll book your timeslot in advance at walnutcreekfarm828.com before heading out. For groups larger than 15, call Faye directly at (828) 736-5604 to arrange your visit.

Why Visit Walnut Creek Farm

Highland cows are having a moment, social media has made them something of a phenomenon, but seeing one in a photograph does not prepare you for the experience of standing next to one. They are substantially larger than most visitors expect, and somehow also softer, calmer, and more personable than anyone anticipates. Walnut Creek Farm gives you an hour of unmediated access to that experience, on a working family farm, in the middle of the Smoky Mountains.

A few more reasons it belongs on your Bryson City itinerary:

• Visits are private, your group gets the full hour with the herd to yourselves. There are no other visitors sharing your time, which makes the experience feel personal and unhurried in a way that group tours rarely do.
• At $20 per person for a full hour, it’s genuinely good value for a private, hands-on animal experience. Comparable farm encounters in tourist destinations often charge significantly more for far less access.
• Faye is present for every visit, bringing deep familiarity with each individual animal and a genuine warmth that visitors consistently highlight in their reviews.
• The farm setting is beautiful. Surrounded by Smoky Mountain scenery, it’s a naturally photogenic environment, couples, families, and photographers all find it hard to put the camera down.
• Beyond the standard farm visit, Walnut Creek also offers paint parties, group events, and the farm as a backdrop for professional photography sessions, making it a flexible destination for a range of occasions.
• The farm began welcoming the public in spring 2024 and is still in an early, enthusiastic phase. The experience feels fresh, personal, and genuinely cared for.

Must Do

• Feed the Coos. Feeding Highland cows is the centerpiece of every visit, and it earns its reputation. These animals are curious, friendly, and surprisingly gentle for their size. The long fringed forelock that falls over their eyes, called a “dossan”, is legendary, and up close it’s even better than the photographs suggest. Treats are provided, and the cows will make their preferences known immediately.
• Brush the Herd. One of the most tactile and memorable parts of the visit. Running a brush through a Highland cow’s thick, shaggy coat is an oddly satisfying experience, and the animals visibly enjoy it. It’s also one of the best ways to get comfortable with them and build a little rapport before the session is over.
• Meet Baby Rufus. The farm’s youngest and most snuggly resident, Rufus is a particular favorite among visitors of all ages. Ask Faye about him when you arrive.
• Talk to Faye. She knows every animal on the farm individually, their personalities, their quirks, and the stories behind them. The time you spend asking her questions is part of what makes a visit here different from a standard farm stop. Don’t rush past it.
• Consider a Paint Party or Photography Session. If your group is looking for something beyond the standard visit, the farm hosts paint parties and serves as a backdrop for professional photography. Contact Faye directly for details and availability.

What to Expect

Your visit is booked as a private one-hour session, which means the experience runs on your timeline within that window. There’s no tour group to keep up with and no other visitors to navigate around, just your group, the herd, and Faye. Most visitors find that an hour passes faster than they’d like.

A few things worth knowing before you go:

• Book in advance. Visits are by reservation only and availability varies. Check the booking calendar at walnutcreekfarm828.com and secure your timeslot before you arrive in Bryson City. Same-day bookings are not guaranteed.
• Wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. This is a working farm with grass, mud, and large animals. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea, and you’ll want to dress for the weather and the terrain.
• Highland cows are large animals. They are gentle and well-socialized, but first-time visitors are often surprised by their size. Young children should be supervised throughout the visit.
• Photos are for personal use only. All images taken on the property are for personal, non-commercial use. Commercial photography requires prior written permission from the farm.
• Groups larger than 15 should call ahead. The online booking system handles standard group sizes, but for larger parties, contact Faye directly at (828) 736-5604 to make arrangements.

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