Located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Banner Elk, Apple Hill Farm gives guided tours for you to meet their interesting combination of animals including alpacas, llamas, and angora goats.Also meet guardian donkeys, dogs, pot belly pigs, and Zebu cows. Browse their store. It's one of the few farms in western North Carolina that give tours year-round.
While you can visit the store with no appointment, you'll need to purchase tour tickets in advance online to see the animals. Most of them love to meet visitors and receive a little love. The tour is usually 45-60 minutes (short walking distance), depending on the group and weather. (Read more tour details below)
Who doesn't love a little scratch? We agree with their slogan "A Place Where Animals Talk and People Listen." Each animal has a fascinating story and important purpose. The farm's mission is to inspire a deep connection between animals and people.
The store tucked away on the second floor of the barn is packed with everything alpaca! Since alpaca fiber is both soft and durable, it is perfect for top-quality socks, hats, gloves, and more. Also find a big selection of alpaca yarn, including some llama and mohair yarns. Some of their other farm products include fresh eggs from their chickens and honey from their bees.
You can even buy yarn from their individual alpacas (look for names on the tags)! They shear the fiber off once a year in June.
Since it's a working farm, you cannot roam the farm on your own. No picnics or pets. While they have some apple trees, they are not an apple farm.
Tours
Tours are given rain or shine unless it thunders and also during the Winter. Since they are above 4,000 elevations, they see a good bit of snow and ice. So call ahead if the weather is bad. Expect temperatures to be lower. Be sure to call ahead at 828-963-1662. Tours are by reservation only at this time. For a calendar of tour dates and pricing details, go to Banner Elk's website. No reservation is needed to shop in the farm store!
Directions
Address for GPS: 400 Apple Hill Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Getting there from Banner Elk (15 minutes drive):
- From the corner of NC 184 & NC 194 in Banner Elk, follow NC 194N towards Valle Crucis.
- Go 3.7 miles to Oliver Hill Rd. Turn left.
- Go 0.8 of a mile to Bladen Rd. Turn right.
- Go 0.2 of a mile to Apple Hill Road. Turn left.
- Go 0.3 of a mile to farm.
Nearby
Find much to do in the area. Here's a sampling:
- Mast General Store's original location is just 5.3 miles away in Valle Crucis. Read more.
- Banner Elk is 5 miles. See things to do.
- Beech Mountain is 9 miles away, a playland for winter skiing and summer sports. See things to do.
Go to the Banner Elk website to read more about Apple Hill Farm.
