Reindeer Ridge Brings Arctic Holiday Tradition to Southeast Indiana
Deep in the rolling hills of Dover, Indiana, a four-hundred-pound bull named Nova and his herdmates are preparing for the winter rush. According to local reporting from Eagle Country 99.3, Reindeer Ridge has evolved from a quiet family dream into a fully operational USDA-licensed facility where visitors can experience live reindeer up close.
The enterprise began in 2015 when owners Ron and Cheryl Reis, alongside their children Rebecca and Matt, started building their holiday-themed property. The inspiration struck from a childhood favorite: Cheryl’s enduring fondness for the 1989 movie Prancer, which tells the story of a young girl who nurses an injured reindeer back to health. That cinematic spark landed the family on a waiting list, eventually bringing their first two reindeer home in 2017.
Transporting Reindeer Requires Serious Logistics
Today, the working herd at Reindeer Ridge includes 13-year-old Cupid, two-year-old Misfit, and Nova, the massive two-year-old bull. Transporting these animals requires serious logistics. Cupid made a five-day journey from Alaska that involved both a cruise ship and a train ride, while Misfit arrived more recently via a commercial flight into Indianapolis followed by a delivery truck.
Operating as a fully licensed USDA facility, the farm’s fencing, feed, shelter, and overall animal care meet federal government standards. Cheryl Reis prepared for the responsibility by training for two years with Kevin and Alice Priessman of Whitetail Acres in Brookville. During calving season, her dedication is absolute—she maintains a cot directly inside the calving barn so she can welcome newborns the moment they arrive. To date, the farm has successfully produced eleven calves.
In the lower 48 states, reindeer are primarily kept for education, conservation outreach, tourism, and seasonal events. Because herd sizes must be managed to prevent overcrowding, the roster changes periodically as young animals find new homes and adults transition elsewhere.
From Family Outings to Holiday Field Trips
The decision to open the farm to the public stems from personal memory. When the Reis children were small, long lines and massive crowds once forced them to miss a scheduled visit with Santa. Driving home dejected, they spotted a neighborhood light display featuring a live Santa in a front yard—an impromptu moment of holiday magic that their grown children still cherish. That experience shaped Reindeer Ridge’s current offerings, which are designed specifically to accommodate school groups, scout troops, and homeschoolers without the frustrating bottlenecks of traditional commercial venues.
Students rotate through interactive stations where they write and mail letters to the North Pole, mix custom reindeer food, visit Santa or The Grinch, pose near a decorated tree and sleigh, and ride a holiday train. Children’s tours cost $10 per child.
Scheduling Self-Guided Tours for Winter Visitors
For families and general visitors looking to experience the farm, self-guided tours are scheduled for Black Friday, as well as Saturdays and Sundays throughout November and December. Due to strict parking constraints, admission is set at $75 per carload, and reservations are strictly required.
Visitors who make the trip will encounter animals sporting their dense winter coats and massive antlers, which average 42 pounds each. Reindeer are unique among deer species because both males and females grow antlers and shed them annually. The farm collects these shed antlers to sell in the gift shop, alongside handmade soaps crafted from reindeer milk by Cheryl Reis. Guests might even catch a distinct audio cue during their walk: the natural clicking sound reindeer make with their ankles, immortalized in holiday lore.
