Family-Friendly Alpaca Farms in the Philadelphia Area 

1. Kraussdale Alpacas—East Greenville

Maggie, the owner, is happy to welcome you to Kraussdale Alpacas, a small alpaca farm in Montgomery County. Like many local breeders, Maggie fell in love with alpacas during a trip to her native South America, and decided to turn her passion into a career.

The animals here are fenced in, but are happy and curious once they see you, and enjoy being petted through the fence while Maggie gives a brief alpaca education. Her store is loaded with goodies for purchase, and you can take a small fur sample home for free. There is no cost for a visit, but donations are welcome.

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Get a stuffed alpaca at the store after you meet real ones at Kraussdale Alpacas. Photo by the author

2. Little Lost Creek Alpaca Farm—Salford (Harleysville)

There are only three alpacas at this expansive Harleysville property, but owners Alex and Sandy offer guests plenty to do. Bring quarters for the feeder machine, which dispenses grain pellets that the alpacas excitedly gobble from a plate you can hold. For $20 per family per alpaca, enjoy “Walkapaca,” where you can leash and guide an alpaca on a stroll through the pastures, and even take them through an obstacle course. Get a running start with Chevy, and he’ll hop over a low bar for you like a show horse.

If you’d rather just observe the animals, and maybe have a picnic or hike the property’s trails, it’s $10 per family. There’s also a scavenger hunt with six stops that you can mark on a punch card. Alex constructed two adorable mini cottages on the farm that double as retail outlets, one strictly for yarn and fibers, and the other for alpaca-related products. Little Lost Creek also hosts birthday parties on site. Be sure to call ahead to schedule your visit.

You can feed these friendly creatures by hand at Little Lost Creek. Photo by author

3. Trotter Hill Alpacas—Glen Mills

Trotter Hill Alpacas in Glen Mills is a family-run farm with a menu of activities offering close encounters with alpacas. Visitors of all ages are welcome to interact with the herd of 11 alpacas, and visits are by appointment only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. These 45-minute visits start at 10am and teach you everything you need to know about alpaca life. Activities also include alpaca walks on Thursdays and Fridays at 3pm, and there is also a shop on the premises. The farm has played host to fun events in the past, including alpaca yoga sessions, complete with brunch and mimosas. 

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Alpacas come in many colors at Trotter Hill Alpacas in Glen Mills. Photo courtesy of Trotter Hill Alpacas

4. Silkie's Alpaca Farm—Chester Springs

At Silkie’s Alpaca Farm in Chester Springs, agritourists are welcome for 30-minute visits. Groups should be limited to six or fewer, and ages 5 and older are charged $10 each for some light feeding, leading, and petting while you learn about the herd. The farm asks guests to observe a 1:1 parent/child ratio for any kids younger than 5. If you fall head over heels for one of the animals, they even have a unique alpaca adoption program for $200 a year! You can also see the difference between an alpaca and a llama for yourself here —  one llama is living among some other standard barnyard animals, and there’s even a giant tortoise. Visit the website to make an appointment, check on store hours, and learn more about the animals.

5. Nite Star Alpacas—Schwenksville

Just down the road from Spring Mountain in Schwenksville, look for the barn with the blue roof. That’s Nite Star Alpacas, which opened in 2016. Owners Jim and Ann welcome farm visitors to meet and learn about their herd of at least nine alpacas. They also offer classes on carding and felting if you’re interested, and they have their own store as well. Call ahead for an appointment.

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Alpacas aren't camera-shy! Photo by Christine E. Nogier/courtesy of Nite Star Alpacas

6. Graceful Glen Alpacas—Telford

Visits are free at this family-oriented farm, where you can pet and feed over 35 alpacas. Just call to make an appointment to visit the alpacas.

7. Grist Mill Farm Alpacas—Glenmoore

Visits to this old grist mill in Chester County and Grist Mill Farm Alpacas are by appointment only, and last one hour. A farm visit costs $5 per person over three years old, and includes learning about the animals and giving them a little snack. Visit the store on site to shop for alpaca products.

8. Harley Hill Farm—Quakertown

Bucks County has alpacas too, and about 25 of them live at Harley Hill Farm in Quakertown. There are free family weekends in September and June, and other seasonal farm events like pumpkin and apple picking. 

9. Callowhill Farm Alpacas—Perkasie

Fifteen alpacas are free to see at this Bucks County farm, which is open seasonally. Pet, feed, and walk the animals out to pasture when the weather permits. Donations are welcome.

Call ahead to schedule a free visit with the alpacas at Bucks County Alpacas. Photo courtesy of the farm

10. Bucks County Alpacas—Bedminster

There’s no cost to come see the animals at this alpaca farm in upper Bucks County. Call ahead to schedule a visit (the farm is closed on Sundays) so you can walk and pet one of the smaller alpacas, and check out the products in the store.

11. Deerwood Alpacas—Quakertown

Alpacas roam over 10 acres at Deerwood Alpacas in Quakertown, where you can come to feed and walk the animals on the property’s pastures. The owners like to spend a few minutes on a short educational presentation, and have handouts available for children and adults. Adjacent to the barns are acres of beautiful woodlands if you just want to come and enjoy the farm. The farm accommodates small groups of up to six people at no charge. Farm visits are by appointment only.

Parenting tip: The farm does not have public restrooms, so definitely plan ahead when visiting with kids!

12. Illusion Ranch Alpacas—Boyertown

See, pet, feed, walk, and learn about the alpacas at this Boyertown farm that’s free for families to enjoy. Donations are accepted. Call ahead for information and to schedule an appointment.

13. Beyond Imagination Alpacas—Douglasville

Call to schedule an educational tour and meet the large alpaca herd. This farm holds seasonal family-friendly events year-round, including holiday parties. The alpacas and the ranch itself are available for events, and the ranch offers classes on knitting, felting, spinning, and crocheting. The ranch and store are open daily, just be sure to call ahead for hours. Admission is free and donations are welcome.

14. Positively Alpaca Farm—Mohnton

Private tours here promise feeding, petting, hugging, and optional handling instruction. Admission of $25 per person comes with a $15 store credit to be used that day. Tours are by appointment only.