Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & Boutique, Frankfort

Last summer while spending a weekend at the Betsie River Campsite and exploring the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, we discovered one of Northern Michigan’s neatest animal attractions. The Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & Boutique just outside of Frankfort is a great family-friendly stop that features alpacas, a gift shop, and even an animal park where you can feed alpacas.

This working farm raises “healthy, happy, alpacas with the most elite, fine and dense fleece possible! We also pride ourselves in providing our clients with excellent personal care, mentoring, veterinary support and services such as sales and breeding. We welcome you to visit our farm anytime! It is a pleasure to live the “alpaca lifestyle”, make new alpaca friends and spread the word about this incredible creature.” The store shows off sweaters, hats, socks, and many other great items.

For the small fee of $3 per person you can visit the animal park to see and pet the alpacas. For an additional 50 cents per cup you can get some feed for the alpacas, and they will be very excited to see you! It was really cool to feel how soft the alpacas are. There are also some mini donkeys and Nigerian dwarf goats in a separate enclosure.

This was the perfect stop for us on a day when we need to get out of the direct sun for a little bit and do something relaxing after some dune hikes. If you love animals, or you love seeing your kids’ faces light up as they feed animals, this is a must-stop when you’re in the Frankfort area. The Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & Boutique usually opens in late May and stays open until the fall (Monday – Saturday, closed on holidays). The farm is located at 4907 River Rd., just two miles from U.S. 31.