Plan Your Visit.
Hours • Directions • What to Bring • What to Expect
The Practical Stuff, in One Place.
Alpaca Adventures at Honey Lake is a working ranch — not a drop-in attraction. Every visit is booked in advance so we can prepare the herd and give you the unhurried experience you came for. Here's everything you need to know before you pack the car.
See What's AvailableWhen We're Open.
Visiting hours change with the seasons. All visits are by reservation — book in advance through the experience or stay page.
Spring
Cria season begins. Cool mornings, warm afternoons. Best time for new-arrival photo ops.
Summer
Peak season. Long golden hour evenings. Bring water — the high desert sun is strong.
Fall
Comfortable days, crisp evenings. Beautiful fleece and pumpkin patch visits in October.
Winter
Quiet season. Private experiences only. Dress warmly — the ranch sits at 4,239 feet elevation.
Getting Here.
Right on Highway 395 in Janesville, California — easy to reach from Reno, Sacramento, and Lake Tahoe.
Drive Times
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Susanville, CAvia US-395 N21 min13 miles
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Reno, NVvia US-395 S1 hr 20 min77 miles
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Reno-Tahoe Airport (RNO)via US-395 S1 hr 25 min79 miles
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South Lake Tahoe, CAvia US-395 + US-502 hr 30 min135 miles
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Sacramento, CAvia I-80 E + US-395 N3 hr 25 min209 miles
What to Bring & Wear.
The ranch sits at 4,239 feet of elevation — bright sun by day, cool by morning and evening. Dress in layers, plan for sun and dust, and you'll be ready for whatever the herd has planned.
- Closed-toe shoes (required)
- Layers — it gets cool fast
- Sun hat & sunglasses
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Reusable water bottle
- Camera or phone
- Pants you don't mind getting dusty
- An open mind & a soft voice
Welcoming to All Ages & Abilities.
Most of the visitor areas, animal interaction zones, and main viewing paths are accessible on graded gravel and packed-dirt paths. Strollers and wheelchairs work well in the primary areas — only some pasture trails are uneven.
Kids are encouraged. Children 4 and up usually do great with hands-on alpaca meet-and-greets when supervised by an adult. Younger children are welcome with parents nearby. We move at your family's pace, not ours.
Have a specific accessibility need or question? Reach out before your visit at [email protected] or call (530) 317-3747 and we'll make it work.
Rules of the Ranch.
Alpacas are gentle, curious animals — but they're still animals. These quiet rules keep them calm and your visit fun.
Please Do
- Move slowly and speak softly
- Feed only the treats we provide
- Let alpacas approach you first
- Stay on marked paths
Please Don't
- Chase or grab the animals
- Bring outside food into the pens
- Bring dogs into the alpaca areas
- Leave children unsupervised
What's Available.
Four ways to spend time at the ranch. Click through to see details and book.
Experiences
Walk with the herd, learn about fiber, feed the bottle babies. Half-hour to half-day options.
Book ExperienceGlamping & RV
Wake up surrounded by alpacas. RV hookups, tent sites, and glamping options under dark skies.
Plan a StayPrivate Events
Birthdays, baby showers, photo shoots, school trips. We host events the herd actually enjoys too.
View EventsAlpacas for Sale
Registered Huacaya and Suri alpacas. Breeding stock, show-quality, pet-quality. Lifetime mentoring included.
Browse HerdWhat to Expect on Your Visit.
From the moment you turn onto Jeters Rd to the moment you wave goodbye. Here's the flow.
Arrive & Park
Pull in through the main gate. Park in the gravel visitor lot. Take a breath — you made it. Most guests arrive 10 minutes early to settle in.
Check In & Waiver
A quick digital waiver at check-in (or signed online before you arrive). We'll brief you on the day's plan and introduce the rules.
Meet the Herd
The main event — your experience, stay activity, or alpaca meet-and-greet. Take photos. Ask questions. Let the herd come to you.
Wrap & Goodbye
Browse our fiber products, say goodbye to your favorites, and head home with something handmade — or just memories. We'll be here next time.
Frequently Asked Questions.
The questions visitors ask us most.
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Yes. All experiences, glamping stays, RV bookings, and farm visits require advance reservations. This lets us prepare the herd, brief our team, and give every guest the unhurried experience they deserve. Walk-ins are not accepted.
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We love dogs, but they cannot come into the alpaca areas. Alpacas perceive dogs as predators and can become stressed. If you're staying overnight in our RV or glamping areas, leashed well-behaved dogs are welcome in the designated stay zones only.
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Most of the main visitor areas, animal interaction zones, and viewing paths are wheelchair and stroller accessible on graded gravel and packed-dirt paths. Some pasture areas may be uneven. If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact us before your visit and we'll make sure your experience is comfortable.
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Cell service is generally available but can be spotty in some pasture areas. Verizon and AT&T have the best coverage in the Honey Lake region. We recommend downloading directions before you arrive.
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Light weather doesn't stop us — alpacas love cool, misty days, and so do we. Severe weather or heavy snow may require rescheduling for safety. If we need to move your booking, we'll reach out at least 24 hours in advance with options. Our flexible reschedule policy applies in all weather cases.
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Yes — we have an on-site farm store featuring alpaca yarn, beanies, dryer balls, felted soaps, and one-of-a-kind handmade items. Every product is processed from our own herd's fleece. Cash and credit cards accepted.
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Yes — clean restroom facilities are available near the main visitor area. Glamping and RV guests have access to a dedicated bath house with hot showers.
Still have a question? We're easy to reach.
Send Us a NoteLet's Get You on the Calendar.
Now that you know the lay of the land — pick how you want to experience the ranch. We're already looking forward to your visit.
