More than 100 alpacas live on one family farm in Ohio, and you can feed them by hand. Visitors can buy small bags of feed and watch the fluffy herds walk right up.
The farm also has a store full of alpaca socks, yarn, and cozy gear. There are baby alpacas in the mix, too, which makes the whole stop even harder to resist.
I like how simple the idea is. You show up, grab some feed, and make new four-legged friends.
I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day close to home. So where is this fuzzy Ohio stop, and what should you know before you go?
Meet The Herd Behind The Fence
Holdfast Alpaca Farms is a family-owned alpaca farm in southwest Ohio, and the herd is the star. The farm is home to more than 100 alpacas, so there is never a shortage of fuzzy faces.
Those animals are sorted into different fields by age and sex. That setup keeps things organized, and it also means each pasture has its own personality.
The farm sits at 12026 Lower Valley Pike in Medway, Ohio 45341. It is a drivable stop for anyone around Dayton or Springfield who wants a farm day without a long trip.
Many visitors spot alpacas in the fields right from the driveway. That is a pretty good welcome for a place that exists to share these animals with people.
Think of it as a petting-zoo feeling with a real working farm behind it. The alpacas are raised for their fiber, and the farm opens its gates so guests can see how that all works up close.
A Family Farm With Roots In 4-H
Family is the heart of this operation. Guests meet the owners and relatives, and a granddaughter named Hailey often leads tours.
The farm is also tied to 4-H. Kids there learn how to handle alpacas and how to show them, which is a skill most of us never think about.
Some past farm events have raised donations for the 4-H club that works with the animals. That gives a visit a little extra purpose beyond the cute factor.
The Holdfast name appears on the farm website as Holdfast Hilty Alpaca Farm, a nod to the family behind it. You can feel that small-business spirit in how the place runs.
Ohio has plenty of farms, but few let you chat with the folks who raise a herd of this size. Questions are welcome, and the staff clearly enjoys answering them.
Hand-Feeding Is The Main Event
Here is the part that makes people grin. Holdfast sells small bags of feed, and the alpacas know exactly what those bags mean.
Once you hold one, the herd drifts your way. Expect soft noses, curious stares, and a line of fluffy faces hoping for a snack.
Feeding is a big reason families make the drive. Kids can take part, and the animals are used to being around people.
Staff usually guide you on how to offer the feed so everyone stays comfortable. That small bit of coaching makes a first-timer feel confident fast.
Some pastures are off limits for feeding, such as areas with newborns or mothers close to giving birth. Even so, those moms often happily accept a handout, which brings the babies within easy reach.
Bring a few friends and pick a pasture. Good luck leaving with a full bag.
Baby Alpacas Steal The Show
Cria is the word for a baby alpaca, and Holdfast has plenty of them. One year the farm counted 17 new arrivals by the middle of summer.
Those little ones are all legs and fluff. They tend to stay close to their mothers, so visitors get a good look without disturbing anyone.
Babies usually are not interested in snacks. Their moms are, though, which keeps everyone within reach for a friendly hello.
The farm posts videos of the young alpacas playing in the fields on its Facebook page. It is a fun way to check in before you plan a trip.
Timing matters if baby season is your goal. One visitor already has a return trip planned for October, hoping to catch the next batch up and about.
Ask the staff what is happening in the nursery area on the day you visit. They know the herd well.
The Guided Tour Teaches More Than You Expect
Plenty of people sign up just for the cute animals. Then they walk away talking about everything they learned.
The guided tour runs about an hour. Guides explain how alpacas live, how the herd is organized, and what the farm does with their fiber.
Online booking is available, and visitors have called the tour a fair deal for the time. A small group can feel personal, especially on quieter days.
Hailey is often the guide, and visitors describe her as knowledgeable and easy to follow. Her answers make the facts stick.
The farm says tours run six days a week in both guided and unguided forms, though the posted hours cover only Thursday through Saturday. Check the schedule before you head out, since details can change.
Bring questions. This is one of those tours where curiosity pays off.
Alpaca Socks, Yarn, And A Store Worth Browsing
Stop by the farm store and you will see how far alpaca fiber can go. Shelves hold yarn, socks, sweaters, and other cold-weather gear.
There are also hides, stuffed animals, boot liners, and even a poncho. Much of the stock is locally sourced, which adds to the charm.
The store doubles as the meeting spot for tours. You park in front, step inside, and the staff point you in the right direction.
Alpaca fiber is known for being soft and warm, so the socks make a handy souvenir. A pair is a nice way to bring a bit of the farm home.
Gift shop browsing is a good rainy-day backup, too. Even if the weather turns, there is plenty to look at indoors.
Visitors who love knitting or crafting will want extra time here. The selection is broader than you might guess for a farm store.
Farm Days And Seasonal Events
Mark your calendar for the farm days. The owners say free-admission farm days happen in May and September.
Past events have featured hay rides, photo spots, snacks, and puppies. An August Alpaca Days event has also been enjoyed by families.
On farm days, you can wander the pastures and see the herd without paying a tour fee. Feed bags still cost extra, which helps cover the care of the animals.
Fall events are a favorite for photographers. The farm has soft light, cute babies, and plenty of backdrops.
Event details shift from year to year, so check the farm’s official pages for the current plans. That small step saves any mix-up at the gate.
If you want a lively, festival feel, farm days are your best bet. If you prefer a quiet visit, a tour day may suit you better.
Overnight Stops For RV Travelers
Road trippers have another reason to pull in. Holdfast is a Harvest Host RV campsite, so members can park for the night among the alpacas.
The owners say they love their RV visitors. Guests have called the scenery pretty and the setting relaxing.
Camping rules and fees can vary, so confirm the details through the booking platform before you arrive. Clear questions up front keep the stay smooth.
Waking up near a field of alpacas sounds like a pretty good start to a day. Pair it with a morning tour and you have a tidy weekend plan.
Not everyone camps, of course. Plenty of guests simply come for the afternoon and drive home.
Still, the option makes this farm a handy stop for anyone crossing Ohio in a camper. It is easy to see why the idea appeals.
A Laid-Back Mood For Families, Photographers, And Curious Adults
Calm is the word for the mood here. Alpacas wander and hum, and the pace of the day slows right down.
Families with kids tend to love it. Grandparents, couples, and curious adults fit in just as easily.
The grounds are mostly flat, with signage and ample parking. That makes the farm easier to navigate for many guests.
Photographers will find plenty to shoot. Fluffy faces, little crias, and open pastures make for sweet pictures.
A working farm has its own scents and sights. Expect real farm life rather than a polished theme park.
Visitors consistently mention friendly staff. That warmth is a big part of why people say they want to return.
Homeschooling families might ask about private tours, as one visitor wondered. It is worth a call to see what is possible.
Hours, Costs, And Planning Your Visit
Plan ahead and the day goes smoothly. Posted hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM, with the farm closed Sunday through Wednesday.
The address is 12026 Lower Valley Pike, Medway, Ohio 45341. Park in front of the store and head inside to check in.
Tours are priced per person, and online booking is available. Feed is sold separately in small bags, so budget a little extra for snacks.
Farm days are free to enter, but that does not apply to regular tour days. Reading the details on the official page before you leave avoids surprises.
The owners note that raising alpacas takes real resources. Fees help keep the animals fed and the farm running.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. It is a farm, after all.
For a friendly, hands-on Ohio outing, Holdfast Alpaca Farms is an easy yes. Bring your curiosity and a few extra feed bags.
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