Why An Alpaca Is The Best Hiking Partner I’ve Ever Had – TravelAwaits

With historic mansions, scenic pastoral landscapes, and quaint towns, it’s easy to understand why New York’s Hudson Valley has long been an escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City. But of all the amazing things to see and do in the Hudson Valley, my favorite experience just might be hiking with an alpaca at Clover Brooke Farm in Hyde Park. If hiking with an adorable animal that looks like a cross between a camel and a goldendoodle sounds fun to you, here’s what you need to know before you go.

Note: My visit to Clover Brooke Farm was hosted. All opinions are my own.

Sage Scott / sagescott.com

Where Is Clover Brooke Farm?

Located about two hours north of New York City and within 15 minutes of the Vanderbilt Gilded Age mansion, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Summer White House,” and the only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, Clover Brooke Farm sits along a tree-lined road in Hyde Park, New York. 

After a career as a school administrator, Andrea Parent-Tibbets and her family moved to this quaint town of 21,000 people and settled into a 25-acre farm established as a homestead in the 1850s. Centered around a beautifully restored red barn, Farmer Andrea manages an adorable menagerie of sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, rabbits, and, of course, alpacas. Not only is Clover Brooke Farm a woman-owned and woman-operated business, but it is a proud member of the New York State Grown & Certified program and embraces environmentally responsible practices.

Pro Tip: There is another Clover Brook Farm (no “e”) about 30 miles away in Pawling, New York. Be sure you have the right destination set in your map app or GPS before you start driving!

Planning For Your Alpaca Hike

The llama and alpaca hiking experience at Clover Brooke Farm takes place no matter what mood Mother Nature is in that day. So be sure to check the forecast for sun, rain, wind, or snow, and dress appropriately. With the exception of a brief stop in the gift shop at the end of the event, the experience is completely outdoors.

When hiking with llamas and alpacas on a warm sunny day, be sure to slather on sunscreen, …….

Source: https://www.travelawaits.com/2743850/why-an-alpaca-is-best-hiking-partner-ive-ever-had/