Alpaca farms

An alpaca acting as a "nanny" watches some of the new alpacas at Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm. (Courtesy Photo)

Alpaca farms offer chance to see animals up close and personal

BY COLIN MERRY VENTURE STAFF WRITER

Families looking for outdoor fun can see visit working alpaca farms and get a chance to see the prized Peruvian animals up close.

Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm

Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm in Benzie County welcomes visitors, free of charge to enjoy the calming experience of alpaca watching.

The alpacas roam several pastures, and visitors can sit, or stand along the fence and watch alpacas young and old go about their business.The gentle animals are therapeutic, and have a calming effect on people. Now two alpacas are alike; each has its own different colors, faces and personalities.

About 11 baby alpaca were born on the farm this year, and several more are expected in September.

Alpacas aren't the only animals at the farm, the herd is guarded by donkeys and Great Pyrenees dogs, which also make an appearance and can be quite friendly.

Crystal Lake Alpaca Farms recently added an animal park, were visitors can pet and receive a small portion of food to feed alpacas, Nigerian dwarf goats and miniature donkeys, for a small fee.

Beyond seeing the alpacas and other animals, visitors to Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm can also tour the two boutiques on the property.

The farm started with just one boutique only open a few days a week selling hats, scarves and mittens made from alpaca fiber. Now it offers teddy bears, coats, sweaters, blankets, throws, socks and so much more, all made from alpaca fiber.

The boutique also features and sells wood furniture and décor crafted from trees harvested on the farm property.

Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm is located at 4907 River Road, between Frankfort and Benzonia. For more information, call (231) 920-7085 or visit crystallakealpacaboutique.com.

The Nelsons first started the farm 18 years ago with six alpacas. Now the farm has 50 alpacas. Each year, they breed the alpacas and take them to shows across the United States. Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm has won Small Breeder of the Year Award on three occasions, and now the farm has moved up a class to be considered a medium-sized farm.

G & D Alpaca Farm

Manistee's G & D Alpaca Farm is also open to visitors, and offers a chance for visitors to escape to a calmer place by watching alpacas and walking wooded trails.

The farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, until Oct. 31.

The farm's main draw is the alpaca herd, which in front of the main house. The herd is split into males and females; both an easy walking distance from the farm's parking lot.

Visitors are encouraged to watch the soothing alpaca, either walking the farm grounds or relaxing on patio furniture. Families can even bring a picnic meal to the farm, if they desire.

Aside from pastures, visitors can also see what goes on inside the farm's barn, as long as they remain respectful of the animals.

G & D Alpaca Farm also has a fairy trail, through a stand of pines where visitors will find sea shells, including large ocean clam shells. Visitors can use the sticks and stones they find, along with the shells, to make a fairy house to hang in the branches of the trees along the trail.

There is a boutique in the farmhouse basement, where alpaca products are sold, including yarn from the farm's alpacas, which has the animal's individual names on the packaging.

The boutique also offers items from Peru, like hats, coats, gloves, scarves and gourdwork. Bracelets and alpaca pens round out the boutique's offerings, as well as soap and jewelry, which is made in Michigan.

A "pick-your-own flower garden" was added to the farm this year.

G & D Alpaca Farm was started in 2018.

For more information, visit G & D Alpaca Farm's Facebook page or call (231) 723-2838. The farm is located at 4796 Maple Road in Manistee.