An Unforgettable Adventure at Green Meadows Alpaca Ranch
It seems you can hardly stroll through Target without spotting an Alpaca on a shirt, socks, or water bottle. The fluffy creatures have captured the hearts of many children (and adult women – let’s be honest) and thanks to a local family, you can enjoy an incredible one-of-a-kind alpaca experience in person.
Green Meadows Alpaca Ranch in Holden, MO (GreenMeadowsAlpacaRanch.com) is a local ranch, Airbnb, and agritourism attraction we have come to love. Melissa and Jason Ashley operate the ranch along with their kids and they welcome guests to stay overnight or come for an afternoon Paca Picnic or field-trip (reservations required).
The scenic farm is home to thirty-three Suri and Huacaya alpacas. Suris are known for their twisted strings and locks, and Huacayas are fluffy and soft. Both are beautiful and all alpacas have their own unique personality.
The farm is also home to two llamas, one llama/alpaca cross, goats, sheep, turkey, guineas, chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs. Melissa jokes that guests come for the alpacas and fall in love with the cats and dogs... this was true for my girls!
I recently stayed overnight at the beautiful log cabin style Airbnb with my oldest daughter and her two best friends as we celebrated her birthday. Melissa was an outstanding hostess and my daughters all want to visit the farm again. If you are looking for a unique adventure close to home, I can't recommend Green Meadows enough. This enchanting getaway is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The atmosphere the Ashley family created is relaxing, creative, and tons of fun!
So, what are guests to expect when they stay at Green Meadows?
Overnight guests stay in a luxurious bedroom with a King bed and may book a second room with a Queen bed (air mattresses are also provided). Guests may opt to bring a tent and camp outside for more space too. Both bedrooms have televisions with streaming services and comfortable seating, as well as access to a full bath. Melissa provides a fully stocked breakfast bar, s’mores kit, and access to a fully stocked kitchen. We brought ingredients to make our own dinner (a fridge for guests is provided as well). The home was spotlessly clean and extremely comfortable. In addition to the comforts of home, we enjoyed swimming in the Perma salt pool (available seasonally), an evening bonfire, and lots of time with animals. Melissa truly has thought of everything! She even gifts guests with a souvenir bar of alpaca-shaped soap to take home.
Guests get to feed the animals a few times during their stay, spray down the alpacas to cool off if it is hot outside (this was a fan favorite for sure!), and pet and hold them. Holding a brand new baby goat was a highlight of our visit. Melissa loves her animals deeply and her passion is contagious. We learned about the different types of alpacas and other animals, their fleeces, their care, and their individual stories and personalities. The girls especially enjoyed playing with the baby goat, the cats, and all of the alpacas.
If you’d like to make a day trip rather than an overnight, consider a Paca Picnic where 2-10 guests may feed the alpacas, enjoy a 90-minute tour of the farm, and bring their own picnic to enjoy on the farm. Green Meadows also offers photoshoot opportunities in addition to field trips, weddings, elopements, and overnights. Fiber artists may also purchase Finn sheep or border Leicester sheep fleeces. Tip: Book directly with Melissa on her site for the best value.
More Fun Nearby:
In addition to the farm, we also enjoyed hiking and biking along the Rock Island Spur of the KATY Trail (the trailhead is only four miles away) and exploring Downtown Holden. Walkers 5 & 10 Variety Store was a fun stop where they sell many novelty items including a variety of old-fashioned sodas and candies. The town is also home to antique stores, an ice cream shop, and many restaurants.
For the grand finale of our getaway, we booked a horseback riding lesson / and trail ride with C Bar C Ranch. Shay is an outstanding instructor offering lessons, camps and programs at her ranch. This was a wonderful addition to our birthday celebration!