Dakota Ridge Farm, Llc
Dakota Ridge Farm, Llc
Dakota Ridge Farm, Llc
5
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
*YOU MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR VISIT as we are a working farm and are not always available to answer the phone during the day* Dakota Ridge Farm was established in 1990 when we obtained our first llama, Dakota, as a wedding present from Gary to Katrina. Since then, many more of these regal, magical and mystical creatures have arrived. Located in beautiful upstate New York, just south of Saratoga Springs, Dakota Ridge Farm is situated on 42 acres of woods, creek side, ponds and pastures. We offer farm tours, llama treks, pet therapy (including special needs groups), educational visits, as well as sales, rescue and re-homing of llamas. Our farm has had visitors from as far away as China, Japan, Australia, and all parts of the U.S.
Ballston Spa, United States
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Dakota Ridge Farm, Llc
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
28 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Suzanne D
Albany, NY6 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
My husband and I visited the farm with our 13 year old niece and nephew. Farmer Gary gave us a private tour of the farm. We were able to pet, feed, walk, and brush the llamas. Farmer Gary taught us so much as we toured the farm. We had very limited knowledge about them beforehand, and we each took some fun facts away with us.
It was wonderful to be up close and personal with these amazing animals. They are soo chill! The farm also offers a trek through the woods with the llamas. It is definitely something we look forward to doing on a future visit. They also have a small gift shop. 😊
Highly recommend!
It was wonderful to be up close and personal with these amazing animals. They are soo chill! The farm also offers a trek through the woods with the llamas. It is definitely something we look forward to doing on a future visit. They also have a small gift shop. 😊
Highly recommend!
Written 16 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great review. I told Farmer Gary what you wrote. Thanks again!
Written 1 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Denise P
2 contributions
Sept 2020
My husband & I visited Dakota Ridge Farm on 9/25. It was a great time & wonderful experience. Katrina & Gary were so hospitable & friendly. We did the Private Farm Tour. It was AMAZING!! It was a relaxing and up close experience of the Llamas. We got to brush a Llama, walk a Llama & feed/visit with them. We HIGHLY recommend spending sometime at this farm. We will definitely be back next year for the Trek adventure.
Written 29 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting us and your very kind words. We look forward to seeing you again for a trek!!
Written 1 October 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BoopJC
Jersey City, NJ35 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
This place is great for adults, teens and small children. Katrina was the perfect guide and also the owner of this very special farm. We got to walk with a llama (named Mike) and she toured us through the place where they eat sleep and play. My kids were able to get up close and personal with various llamas..pet them, brush them and spending some quality time getting to know what llamas are all about. They are really good-natured animals. They are very friendly and are easy to pet. I suggest not to wear sandals and where clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty as it is a farm and the animals are dusty at times. We really are glad we stopped in here and it was a memorable experience for my teenage kids. Make sure you email the facility or call them as they only take appointments for the tours.
Written 29 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, Shirley, for your kind words and this review. We are happy to share our love for these beautiful creatures with so many. One of our goals is to show how well mannered and sweet they can be, so your words mean a lot to us! We hope you will visit us again. Thank you!
Written 1 September 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bailey321
Upstate NY9 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
I read about Dakota Ridge in a local online magazine and the "llama hike" notion was something we tucked away for a few years. On our first visit we just took a tour of the farm during the summer with visiting family and a couple small children. You can pet the llamas and the owner will take one out to show. They have over 60 llamas so just the tour is fun and can be as long or short as you want.
A couple months later my husband and I returned by ourselves for a guided hike. You lead the llamas on a "leash" on their beautiful wooded trails. Perfect for a fall day and they have picnic areas. We've gone back several times over the last few years and I now organize an annual work group event (for college students) in which 20 people lead llamas at the same time! I always recommend this when people are visiting because I know everyone will have a good time and not many have walked a llama!
I was amazed at how gentle and quiet the llamas are, and how peaceful the farm is. The owners are VERY special people who have taken in - at their own cost - many of the llamas for whom others can no longer care and will make your visit a memorable one. It's a hidden treasure in Saratoga County, and aside from having a fun and relaxing experience you'll feel good supporting this farm and the outstanding work that they do for the community.
A couple months later my husband and I returned by ourselves for a guided hike. You lead the llamas on a "leash" on their beautiful wooded trails. Perfect for a fall day and they have picnic areas. We've gone back several times over the last few years and I now organize an annual work group event (for college students) in which 20 people lead llamas at the same time! I always recommend this when people are visiting because I know everyone will have a good time and not many have walked a llama!
I was amazed at how gentle and quiet the llamas are, and how peaceful the farm is. The owners are VERY special people who have taken in - at their own cost - many of the llamas for whom others can no longer care and will make your visit a memorable one. It's a hidden treasure in Saratoga County, and aside from having a fun and relaxing experience you'll feel good supporting this farm and the outstanding work that they do for the community.
Written 28 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for this wonderful review on TripAdvisor. We were happy to meet you both and share the llamas with you on that day. We are also thankful for all the times you visited us in the past and hope to keep seeing you for the annual llama trek! Take good care and THANK YOU again!
Written 29 June 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
amymiazga
saratoga ny148 contributions
Aug 2019
We took our Girl Scout troop here and everyone loved it. Learned about the animals and had alot of fun.
Written 27 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting us and the llamas! We appreciate your kind words and happy to hear the girls all loved it! Thank you!
Written 23 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Truman
6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
The owner was personable and informative. We loved our farm tour and we loved our close up interactions with the lamas, including feeding, walking and petting them. We learned a lot about lamas and we were surprised at how lovable they are. My kids had a blast. I would definitely go back. The lamas were therapeutic and angelic.
Written 15 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting our farm and the llamas. So happy to hear you enjoyed them and the farm! Thank you again!
Written 23 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jennifer R
Ballston Spa, NY2 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
Wonderful place to hike trails with llamas and learn and interact with this wonderful animal! Wear comfortable clothes and prepare for a little mud in the spring but trails on approximately 40 acres are well groomed.
Written 29 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words about our farm!!
Written 1 May 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MadameCanard
Saratoga Springs, NY124 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
I am so very happy that we visited the Dakota Ridge Farm with our grandkids! Everything was fabulous. The llamas were so easy-going and friendly, and infinitely pet-able. The owners Trina and Gary could not have been more friendly and informative. We plan to go back next month with our other grandkids when they visit.
Written 6 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you, so very much, for your kind review and words! It means a lot to us to know you had a good time here with your family, and we look forward to you visiting us again. Thank you!
Written 8 July 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Krissy D
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Family
What great fun! Katrina and her llamas were fantastic. The llamas were easy going and affectionate. The trail was shaded and lovely!. It will definitely be an annual outing. Thanks Katrina for a sweet experience!
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline B.
Saratoga Springs, NY6 contributions
Mar 2021
Conveniently, there is a llama farm a mere 10 minute drive from our house! For only $12 per person (and free for our toddler), we booked a tour at Dakota Ridge Farm. The Farm also offers private treks for a more quiet, romantic experience with your very own llama.
We pulled into the charming, inviting farm on a Saturday afternoon, ready for our field trip! Our friendly tour guide greeted us and brought Mike out right away. Mike was a beautiful and loveable llama that really looked more like a “Cusco”, or maybe even “Cookie”. But, Mike it was.
I must admit, when I get close to a llama, I get nervous one will spit on me. Our tour guide reassured us that llamas don’t enjoy spitting either and they use it as a last line of defense or if they are incredibly agitated. He also informed us that these creatures of the Andes are not happy with intense heat and that some llamas have been known to spit at County fairs in the middle of the summer when the sun is angriest with us, Northern Hemisphereans. Somehow, Dakota Ridge farmers keep their llamas happy enough that, supposedly, they have never spat (at a human?). You can confirm that fact when you book your own tour.
The tour was interesting for us, adults, and mildly entertaining for a toddler. Let’s be honest, he just wanted to run around the farm. At the beginning, we let him do just that, walking back and forth through a stable, sometimes following a loose hen. This is really what we wanted, though. We have an abundance of farm books at our house, and this trip is one of many in the future that will allow our son to chart his own course in a new land, surrounded by all kinds of life’s creatures.
After some needed independent exploration, we would pick Elijah up and introduce him to a llama or even a group of llamas. Mind you, we have dozens of stuffed animals, but no real ones. The tour guide asked what kind of exposure our son had had to large animals...we said none. However, our spiritual little boy had no problem petting, and even grabbing these large, gentle animals’ faces and necks. And how did the llamas respond to a grabby toddler? Lovingly… The nervous mom in me had to step back and trust that Animal and Baby were forming their own special bond that I was not to interrupt. I think it is important to mention that I have a toddler who is, in general, quite hesitant to try new things, but something drew him to these beautiful creatures, and he was not afraid. I’m glad this farm is only 10 minutes away, because that interaction definitely makes me want to come back.
This is probably a good time to add that our tour guide mentioned that the farm offered special sensory visits for children with certain sensitivities.
During our tour, we saw llamas of all ages and sizes (or “alpacas” as my husband referred to them throughout the tour - we still don’t know the difference). I would say the older llamas were more toddler-friendly. When the tour was over, we walked a bit more around the farm, and Elijah practiced stepping in puddles. His mud-filled shoes are still in my car because...I just can’t.
While we had a great time on our field trip to Dakota Ridge Farm and made many new llama friends, I can’t possibly write about llamas and not review the book “Llama Llama Red Pajama”. Ambitiously, we’ve tried to create a somewhat multilingual home for our growing family with Spanish as the second language spoken (followed by Turkish and Hebrew to a much less frequent degree). I purchased “Llama Llama Rojo Pijama” as one of Elijah’s Spanish books. Here is my one complaint...the word “llama” means both a loveable cousin to both the alpaca and the camel, and also “calls”. So, when the llama calls to his mother, he llamas his mother. La llama llama rojo pijama a su mama llama y llama...o algo asi. It’s confusing! Sorry to the other parents trying to find fun Spanish-translated books, but I think this one might be better in...not Spanish.
In conclusion, go to Dakota Ridge Farm already!
We pulled into the charming, inviting farm on a Saturday afternoon, ready for our field trip! Our friendly tour guide greeted us and brought Mike out right away. Mike was a beautiful and loveable llama that really looked more like a “Cusco”, or maybe even “Cookie”. But, Mike it was.
I must admit, when I get close to a llama, I get nervous one will spit on me. Our tour guide reassured us that llamas don’t enjoy spitting either and they use it as a last line of defense or if they are incredibly agitated. He also informed us that these creatures of the Andes are not happy with intense heat and that some llamas have been known to spit at County fairs in the middle of the summer when the sun is angriest with us, Northern Hemisphereans. Somehow, Dakota Ridge farmers keep their llamas happy enough that, supposedly, they have never spat (at a human?). You can confirm that fact when you book your own tour.
The tour was interesting for us, adults, and mildly entertaining for a toddler. Let’s be honest, he just wanted to run around the farm. At the beginning, we let him do just that, walking back and forth through a stable, sometimes following a loose hen. This is really what we wanted, though. We have an abundance of farm books at our house, and this trip is one of many in the future that will allow our son to chart his own course in a new land, surrounded by all kinds of life’s creatures.
After some needed independent exploration, we would pick Elijah up and introduce him to a llama or even a group of llamas. Mind you, we have dozens of stuffed animals, but no real ones. The tour guide asked what kind of exposure our son had had to large animals...we said none. However, our spiritual little boy had no problem petting, and even grabbing these large, gentle animals’ faces and necks. And how did the llamas respond to a grabby toddler? Lovingly… The nervous mom in me had to step back and trust that Animal and Baby were forming their own special bond that I was not to interrupt. I think it is important to mention that I have a toddler who is, in general, quite hesitant to try new things, but something drew him to these beautiful creatures, and he was not afraid. I’m glad this farm is only 10 minutes away, because that interaction definitely makes me want to come back.
This is probably a good time to add that our tour guide mentioned that the farm offered special sensory visits for children with certain sensitivities.
During our tour, we saw llamas of all ages and sizes (or “alpacas” as my husband referred to them throughout the tour - we still don’t know the difference). I would say the older llamas were more toddler-friendly. When the tour was over, we walked a bit more around the farm, and Elijah practiced stepping in puddles. His mud-filled shoes are still in my car because...I just can’t.
While we had a great time on our field trip to Dakota Ridge Farm and made many new llama friends, I can’t possibly write about llamas and not review the book “Llama Llama Red Pajama”. Ambitiously, we’ve tried to create a somewhat multilingual home for our growing family with Spanish as the second language spoken (followed by Turkish and Hebrew to a much less frequent degree). I purchased “Llama Llama Rojo Pijama” as one of Elijah’s Spanish books. Here is my one complaint...the word “llama” means both a loveable cousin to both the alpaca and the camel, and also “calls”. So, when the llama calls to his mother, he llamas his mother. La llama llama rojo pijama a su mama llama y llama...o algo asi. It’s confusing! Sorry to the other parents trying to find fun Spanish-translated books, but I think this one might be better in...not Spanish.
In conclusion, go to Dakota Ridge Farm already!
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate it!
Written 1 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi! I'm very interested in bringing my granddaughter. I would like to know how steep are those hills? Thank you.
Written 1 June 2019
Katrina C
Ballston Spa, New York
Hi! They are fairly steep and approximately 100' in length. It's not hard tor most people to climb them, although there are some that say it's tough for them. I hope this helps!
Written 2 June 2019
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