FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED
A STORY OF LEGACY AT GREAT
NORTHERN LLAMA COMPANY
Your hosts
JAMIE AND SARAH ROLFING
An accomplished outdoorsman with an intimate knowledge of the land, Jamie grew up toddling with baby llamas, doing barn chores, skiing and ice fishing in winter, hunting and harvesting in fall. In summer Jamie and his family guided visitors on multi-day camping trips with llamas in Montana’s wilderness, and they have traveled together in in the Andean highlands of Peru and Bolivia, their animals' homeland. Jamie’s commitment to serving others is exemplified by his medical missions, refugee camp administration and as an officer in the US Army since 2010. He currently serves with the Montana Army National Guard.
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Sarah shares Jamie’s profound love for Montana’s untamed spirit, and developed complimentary leadership and 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, embodying a spirit of service and connection.
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 through unforgettable llama experiences. Their boys can be found exploring the ranch daily, learning the values of adventure, hard work and love for the land that has defined three generations of this family.
Our mission is to preserve a cherished family legacy by offering llama adventures for all ages on our ranch property. As stewards of this magical landscape, we are passionate about creating memorable experiences that connect people with llamas and the beauty of Montana's outdoors.
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Our vision is to promote mindful land use, inspire responsible recreation and create meaningful connections with animals and nature through our rare and treasured assets: our land and our llamas.
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STeve and sue rolfing
Even before Jamie was born, his parents had one of America's first llama herds which they used for backcountry work and family camping trips. Today, offspring from their award-winning GNLC llama and alpaca herds can be found in pastures throughout the US and Canada.
PIONEERS IN THE LLAMA INDUSTRY
In 1979, Steve was working for the US Forest Service and discovered that gentle, sure-footed llamas were perfectly suited to carry his equipment into the mountains surrounding Glacier National Park.
His first trusty trail companions, Poncho, Doc and Snowman, were the foundation for Great Northern Llama Company, America's oldest llama outfitter-guide service. For 30 years the Rolfings enchanted visitors on 4-day backcountry pack trips–including a US vice president with his family and Secret Service entourage!​​​
Poncho and his pals were also the start of one of America's most prized llama herds. In show rings across the nation, the Rolfings' GNLC brand is synonymous with beautiful, athletic, trophy-winning llamas.
By 1986, the Rolfings' unique lifestyle and way of sharing wild Montana got national attention when the NBC Today Show featured them, describing their "idyllic life" raising llamas and children. Today, those children (Jamie and his sister, Kate) live on the ranch with their own families, custom-crafting unique adventures with llamas and sharing their love of Montana's remarkable landscape.
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For the Great Northern Ranch website, herd book and sales list, click the link below:
OUR LLAMAS HAVE BEEN FEATURED BY
...and more!
GREAT NORTHERN RANCH
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welcome to
Our Llama Tours and Ranch Treks all take place at Great Northern Ranch, home to the GNLC llama herd. At its peak, our llamas and alpacas numbered over 100. Today, along with our children and grandchildren, riding mules, dogs, cats and 40-50 llamas, we share the ranch with a fascinating parade of wildlife.​
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Diverse habitats–hills, forests, wetlands, crop fields, pastures and ponds–support nearly all of Montana's mammal species: deer, elk, foxes, coyotes, black bears, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, muskrats and the occasional wolf, grizzly bear, badger, moose and mountain lion. Our feathered ranch friends include songbirds, eagles, owls, hawks, woodpeckers, forest grouse, pheasants, geese, ducks, cranes and wild turkeys.
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The barn sits atop the highest of our hills, a glacial drumlin formed eons ago by glacier flow. In spring a kaleidoscope of wildflowers–balsamroot, shooting stars, lupine, aster, snowberry, horsemint, cornflower, camas and more–bloom on the hillside. Our forest trails are shaded by every tree species native to Western Montana except hemlock. (We're working on that one!)
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In this peaceful place, a new chapter begins as Jamie and Sarah make our llamas accessible to people of all ages through agritourism Tours and Treks. Join us here, in the heart of the Flathead Valley, for an unforgettable vacation adventure. Connect with our land and animals. Experience an authentic, 500-acre working ranch. Depending on the month, you may be here while babies are being born; when we are training or shearing; for the tilling, planting or harvesting of crops; or during wildlife and bird migrations.
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Most of all, you'll make wonderful memories while learning about llamas, their history and many uses. Discover for yourself how easy and fun it is to live, work and hike with llamas–and fall in love with them!
The ranch is our home. It is open only when Tours and Treks are scheduled. A ticket is required for entry.