Join us for a fun-filled outdoor adventure on our family ranch, in the heart of the Flathead Valley.

The perfect Montana experience, just 30 minutes from Glacier National Park.

Come have fun with llamas on our private, 500-acre ranch at the base of the stunning Swan Mountains.

With over 45 years' experience as llama breeders and packers, we offer a unique, hands on encounter with these beautiful, gentle animals. Explore our scenic trails on a Ranch Trek with a llama companion, or learn about llamas, feed them a treat and take one for a short walk on our meet-and-greet Llama Tou r.

Make your visit to Montana truly memorable. Book an experience with Great Northern Llama Company! Ticket required for ranch entry.

TOUR AND TREK DETAILS

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Kids | teens | adults
no prob-llama.
Epic adventures
for everyone.

A fun-filled outdoor experience just

15 minutes from Kalispell

25 minutes from Whitefish

30 minutes from Glacier National Park

Show me the map

Let's go!

EXPERIENCES
AT THE RANCH

llama TOUR

Llamas are fun! Get up close to our herd and experience a working Montana ranch on this interactive tour. Learn about these special animals through hands-on experiences, including feeding some of our mama llamas and leading one on a short, easy walk with beautiful views. Your knowledgeable guide will share insights about llama behavior and care, personalities and historical uses, offering an engaging educational encounter that delights visitors of all ages! 90 minutes.

Ranch trek

Dive deeper into Montana's great outdoors on a Ranch Trek, an immersive, hands-on experience that goes beyond our standard tour. Guests will learn to pack and lead llamas, and discover why these sure-footed, low-impact beasts of burden make such excellent hiking companions. Explore our forested trails with your knowledgeable guide and a gentle llama companion in a nature preserve that feels like Montana's backcountry. A truly unique adventure for outdoor enthusiasts! 2-3 hours.

Tour and Trek details

We offer special events throughout the year. Check our website and follow us on social media for updates!

Private events can be arranged.

BOOK A TOUR OR TREK

Advance registration is required to enter ranch. Upon arrival, present your digital e-ticket or pre-printed ticket.

DON'T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT.

STAR REVIEWS FOR

EXPERIENCE, LOCATION

AND VENUE.

Montana is already a special place, but GNLC is set apart. Our family fell in love with the beauty of the ranch and of course the experience with the llamas. It has become one of our favorite places, and is a must see each time we visit Montana. Our kids love the natural beauty, and as a parent, it is special to see them interact with the llamas. This place is unique and a must visit!

George J., OH

Our family absolutely loved our llama trek! My kids were involved in the whole process and got to take turns leading the llamas through the trails. They were delighted and talk about Montana all the time, with llamas being their most memorable experience.

Jackie E., PA

We had a fantastic time trekking with llamas at GNLC. You can easily see a lot of care is taken to maintain the property and animals. The views are absolutely stunning and the owners are very knowledgeable and friendly. We highly recommend this experience!

Mikki & Dom, FL

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touch

Please note: Ranch is open at Tour & Trek times only. Ticket required for entry.

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🦙🦙🦙 Llama babies easily make the list of the top ten cutest animals.

There’s something magical about springtime at the ranch when our llama babies arrive. Each year, we welcome 12 to 15 new crias (that’s Spanish for “baby” - though we often just say “baby boy” or “baby girl”).

After patiently waiting through a 350-day pregnancy (yes, almost a full year!), mama llamas give birth to little crias who are standing on their wobbly legs within minutes - instinctively searching for their first drink of milk and forming a special bond with mom.

Our birthing season typically runs April through July, transforming Great Northern Ranch into a nursery of adorable, long-legged babies learning about the world. For those lucky enough to witness a birth, it’s an unforgettable glimpse into nature’s amazing gift of new life.

Follow us for more llama FAQ and ranch shenanigans!

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #vacation #gnllamaco #WildernessExplorer #MountainLife #MountainViews #montanamoment #NatureLovers #MontanaLife #FamilyTravel #familyadventures #gooutside #babyanimals

We really enjoy sharing the beauty of Montana and the wonder of llamas with visitors from all over the world. For some of our longstanding visitors, their experiences at the ranch are the highlight of summer for both kids and adults alike!

Booking for our 2025 season will open in April! We look forward to making your summer memorable as well 😀 Follow for the announcement!

PS: Did you know that we offer private Llama Tours and Ranch Treks for groups?! DM us for details and availability.

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #vacation #gnllamaco #WildernessExplorer #MountainLife #MountainViews #montanamoment #NatureLovers #MontanaLife #FamilyTravel #familyadventures #gooutside

🦙 LLAMA vs ALPACA 🦙

Can YOU spot the difference?
They might look similar at first glance, but llamas and alpacas are ‘cousins’ bred for distinct purposes. (There is no such thing as a wild llama or alpaca - they are both domestic livestock species). Here’s how to tell the difference:

SIZE MATTERS
Llamas are the gentle giants! Standing 5.5-6 feet tall and weighing 280-450 pounds, they tower over alpacas (3-4 feet tall, 100-175 pounds). Llamas are bigger, stronger and more athletic than alpacas. This is why llamas are a beast of burden, used as pack animals.

BREEDING FOCUS
Llamas: Llamas were originally bred to carry heavy loads in their mountainous South American homeland – and that’s what we use them for in Montana, too! They are agile and sure-footed, making them excellent mountaineers. Llamas are versatile animals as many people use their fiber for clothing also.

Alpacas: Alpacas are prized for their superfine, dense coats of many colors from which clothing and blankets are made (that’s why alpaca wool is $$$). Fiber is typically the main focus of breeding alpacas.

EAR-RESISTIBLE DIFFERENCES
Llamas: Longer, curved ‘banana ears’.🍌
Alpacas: Shorter, spear-shaped ears.🧝

PERSONALITY PLUS
Llamas: Llamas are independent, social and curious. They are quiet trail companions and great guard animals (perfect for our treks!).
Alpacas: More shy, herd-oriented fiber producing animals.

Now you can spot the differences (and are ready for trivia night💪🏼).

Booking for our Llama Tours and Ranch Treks opens in April… be sure to follow for the announcement!

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #vacation #gnllamaco #alpacas #alpaca #alpacababy #llamalove

Ok cat lovers, caption this👇🏼

(Best caption may be awarded a sweet vinyl GNLC sticker in the mail)…

But really, Puma the cat has some serious sass. Just a little llama drama at the ranch.
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#montana #catdrama #catlife #catsofinstagram #instacat #llamas #llamalove #animallover #gnllamaco #montana #ranchlife

Who’s excited for summer in Montana?

#Nofilter #montana #montanamoment #montanacolors #montanalife #ranch #ranchlife #gnllamaco #travelmontana #bigskycountry #llamas #gooutside #naturelovers #naturegram #animallover

Yes, spit happens… but usually only at other llamas and for 3 very good reasons!

1️⃣ Llamas invented the food fight. In the fascinating world of llama communication, spitting is used to establish social dominance, especially at meal time. When you’re feeding them during your Tour, you may see the “queens” blow a few pellets at other llamas. It’s their way of teaching youngsters to stay back and politely wait their turn in the llama pecking order. But don’t you worry — unless you’re trying to eat our llama treats, you’re safe!

2️⃣Spitting is used by pregnant females to inform the boys that they are not in the mood to be bothered. It’s the ultimate insult to those tender male (llama) egos!

3️⃣Llamas got their bad rap for spitting at petting zoos. Llamas are very curious about humans and enjoy interaction, but they like their personal space and let us know when we’ve invaded it. Llamas like to stay at an arm’s length (just as we do) and prefer to be touched on their lower neck and shoulders (like a pat on the back among humans). If we try grabbing at them, or petting their heads and faces, a quick spit is their way of saying “Stop it!” As with any species, there are some cranky personalities…but they keep things entertaining!

Spit happens 🦙🦙🦙

Be on the lookout - tickets for llama experiences at the ranch go live early April! Follow for updates 👆
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#llamasofinstagram #llamalife #llamalove #montanalife #visitmontana #montanamoment #animallovers #farmlife #ranchviews #ranchlife #ranchadventures #montanaranch

POV: When your game cam exposes who’s roaming the ranch after dark...

These chunky fellows are living their best lives!

The bears that come and go on the ranch march to the beat of their own drum. They usually pass through at night, seen only by our game cams. Though we don’t get to see them on our treks, we do have fun finding clues they leave behind, like paw prints in the dirt, claw marks on the trees they climb and evidence of what they’ve been eating lately. These beautiful creatures prefer their solitude and we respect their space. 🐻
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#montana #ranchlife #gamecamera #bears #bearnecessities #bearlife #woods #nature #candidcamera #montanaoutdoors #bearsofinstagram #bigskycountry #gnllamaco #montanalife

“Hay there good looking, wool you be my valentine?”

You don’t need perfect if you have personality.

Send this to your valentine, galentine or anyone else who needs some llama love today 💙🦙🙌

#Llamas #gnllamaco #galentinesday #galpals #valentine #valentinesday #llamalove #llamalover #llamallama #love #loveyousomuch

Meet Old Lorraine, our 800-year-old tree at Great Northern Llama Company! Named after the matriarch of a homesteading family that came before us on the ranch, she has been standing here since the 1200s—long before Montana had a name, before the U.S. existed, and before most of the modern world took shape.

Let’s put her age into perspective:

🌿 When Old Lorraine sprouted (1200s), the the construction of Notre Dame Cathedral was nearing completion, and people were still centuries away from inventing the printing press.

🌳 By the 1400s, Leonardo da Vinci was sketching flying machines, and Christopher Columbus had yet to sail to the Americas.

🌿 In the 1700s, while the American colonies were fighting for independence, Old Lorraine had already been standing for nearly 600 years.

🌳 By the time Montana became a state in 1889, she had been here for over 750 years.

🌿 When the first airplane took flight in 1903, she had already been standing for more than 780 years.

🌳 And today, after witnessing eight centuries of history, she’s still here, standing tall as the world continues to change.

It’s wild to think about the history this tree has lived through.

When you come for a Ranch Trek, you may get to see Old Lorraine for yourself! Take a photo, touch a piece of history, and stand next to a tree that has seen more than we ever will.

#MontanaLife #ExploreMontana #VisitMontana #BigSkyCountry #MontanaAdventures #HiddenGems #NatureLover #OutdoorExploration #travelmontana #outdoors #gooutside #gnllamaco #ranch #montana

We love Montana.… and we love sharing it.

🦙🦙🦙 adventures at the ranch are coming soon! Follow us for summer 2025 booking updates👆🏼

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #GNLLAMACO #outside #adventure #animallover #summer #travel #localguides #familyadventures #gooutside

Winter scenes with animals at the ranch are some of our favorites.
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#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #wintertime #GNLC #outside adventure #animallover #winter #snowdays

Only 137 days until summer.

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#montana #summer #winterblues #wintertime #travelmontana #takemeback #montanamoment #ranchlife #familyadventures #bigsky #bigskycountry #glsciernationalpark #gooutside #llamas #gnllamaco

Not all ears are created equal, and in the GNLC llama breeding world, banana ears are the height of perfection 🍌 Tall, elegant, with just the right curve—they’re not just functional–they are fashionable.

Pop culture has some iconic ears, but do they really measure up?

🐭 Mickey Mouse’s circles? Too potato-like.
🧙‍♂️ Gandalf’s pointy wisdom? Not enough curve.
🦌 Bambi’s soft floppiness? Cute, not dynamic.

Llama banana ears, though? They’re the perfect balance of form and function while commanding attention.

But let’s be honest… not every llama has the banana look. Case in point… Spud. We think he’s ear-resistible just the way he is 🦙

Follow the herd @gnllamaco - our Llama Tours and Ranch Treks will open for booking soon!

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #vacation #GNLC #outside adventure #animallover
#llamalove #ears

Guess what happens when kids go free range in Montana?

They trade screens for streams. They collect stories instead of scroll time. And sometimes, they make friends with gentle giants (we’re talking llamas, not bears 🦙)

At the ranch, we see the impact of llamas on children. Kids light up as they reach out to feed a gentle giant, connecting with something bigger than themselves. These moments are significant—they’re the building blocks of confidence, curiosity, and a deep connection with the natural world.

Montana teaches kids (and grown-ups!) something unique:

💫Nature is the best classroom
💫Adventure builds confidence
💫Real connections beat digital ones
💫Sometimes the best memories come with four long legs and a fuzzy face 🦙

Our 2025 booking updates are coming soon! Follow for more👆🏻

#MontanaKids #FamilyTravel #GlacierNationalPark #MontanaMoments #FamilyAdventures #UnpluggedKids #406 #WhitefishMT #MontanaLife #FamilyTime #RanchLife #LlamaLove

Did you see those epic throwback photos 🗻?

The backcountry llama pack trips Jamie helped lead with his dad over the course of 30 years were more than excursions—they had profound effects on people from all walks of life. Jamie spent many years honing his craft as a guide and is expert at facilitating meaningful connections with the outdoors.

Interested in experiencing some llama magic too? We are bringing the spirit of Montana adventure to the ranch this summer, offering llama experiences right here on our family ranch (see bio links for more info!).

You can be confident you’re getting the real deal with Jamie as your guide.

P.S. We are parents… watch to the end to see how the ranch cultivates resilience 💪🏼😆

#WildernessExplorer #MountainLife #MountainViews #montanamoment #NatureLovers #MontanaLife #FamilyTravel #familyadventures #gooutside

A Montana hidden gem you can’t miss… just minutes from Glacier National Park 🦙 Share this with your adventure-loving friends!

For 30 years Great Northern Llama Company was known nationwide for leading legendary backcountry llama pack trips in Northwest Montana. Now, Jamie and Sarah Rolfing are bringing Great Northern’s llama adventures from the mountaintop to the foothills at the family ranch, making llamas accessible to people of all ages. Our hands-on Llama Tours and scenic Ranch Treks will connect you to Montana’s wondrous outdoors and our award-winning llama herd.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Swan Mountain Range, we offer two unique experiences that will delight visitors of all ages:

🦙 Meet-and-greet Llama Tour (90 min): Get up close to our herd and experience a working Montana ranch on this interactive tour. Feed mama llamas, take an easy scenic walk, and learn fascinating facts and history about llamas from your expert guide. Perfect for families and all ages!

🦙Ranch Trek (2-3 hours): Take a ranch hike with amazing views! Learn proper packing techniques, lead a llama companion on forested trails, and discover why these sure-footed friends make great hiking partners. Ages 6 and up.

We are located just minutes from Glacier National Park and all major attractions:

📍30 min from West Glacier
📍25 min from Whitefish
📍25 min from Flathead Lake (Bigfork)
📍15 min from Kalispell

Check out our website (🔗 in bio) for more detailed information about our tours and treks to help you plan your visit.

GNLC is a family run operation, and we can arrange a private experience for your group. DM us to find out more!

We are thrilled to share these extraordinary animals and show you why, after 45+ years of breeding, training, showing and packing with them, we still say Llamas Are Fun!

Follow @gnllamaco for our upcoming 2025 booking announcement (coming soon!)🦙✨

#llamas #montana #TravelMontana #bigskycountry #montanamoment #ranchlife #travel #exploremontana #vacation #GNLC #mountainview #mountainvibes

The people behind the scenes at GNLC: Meet Jamie and Sarah Rolfing and their two-legged teammates.

Jamie grew up with llamas by his side, barn chores on his list, and Montana’s wild landscapes as his playground. From skiing and ice fishing in the winter to hunting and guiding llama pack trips alongside his father in the summer, Jamie’s connection to the land runs deep. His commitment to serving others is exemplified by his international medical missions, refugee camp administration and as an officer in the US Army since 2010. He currently serves with the Montana Army National Guard.

Sarah shares Jamie’s profound love for Montana’s untamed spirit, and developed complimentary leadership skills in animal husbandry as an active member of Future Farmers of America (FFA) throughout her teen years. A professional nurse, Sarah passionately believes in the therapeutic power of the outdoors. She is deeply engaged in community initiatives and international humanitarian work.

Together, Jamie and Sarah proudly continue the Rolfing family legacy, raising two energetic sons (ages 5 and 3) on the same ranch where Jamie’s family has long shared their love of Montana. Their boys can be found exploring the ranch, learning the values of adventure, hard work and love for the land that defines this family.

We are excited to meet you this summer in Montana! Follow us for updates about when llama experiences at the ranch open for booking 🦙🦙🦙

#ranchlife #montana #ranch #llamas #llama #bigskycountry #montanamoment #gnllamaco #hiddengems #hikelife #familyadventures #outdooradventures

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