How long is the walk?

The full experience is about one hour: a 10-minute intro, a 40-minute loop, and a 10-minute feeding/photo session.

Are alpacas safe for kids?

Yes—children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; handlers give a safety briefing before the walk.

What happens if it rains?

The walk is weather-dependent; the operator may reschedule or cancel if conditions are unsafe for animals or participants.

Is there an age minimum?

No specific minimum is listed, but children must be supervised by an adult and participants must manage uneven ground.

How many people per session?

Sessions generally cap at 15 people and require a minimum of eight participants to run.

Alpaca Walks at Shaw Woods Park: Family-Friendly Alpaca Hikes Near Ravenna, OH

Q: Where is the meeting point?

We meet at Shaw Woods Park Located at 7075 Berry Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266; arrive 10 minutes early to check in.

Alpaca Walks at Shaw Woods Park offers an easy, unexpected way to spend an hour in Ravenna, Ohio. Meet at Shaw Woods Park (7075 Berry Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266) and step onto wide grass trails with a small string of curious alpacas—gentle, fleece-coated companions that set the pace for a relaxed, family-friendly outing. The walk lasts about an hour and is guided by trained handlers and caretakers team who introduce each animal, explain alpaca-safe handling, and share natural-history tidbits that keep kids and adults engaged. The trail itself is an easy, uneven-terrain loop through oak-hickory woodlands and open meadow edges typical of Portage County. Key features include shaded single-track between mature hardwoods, a low sandstone outcrop favored as a photo stop, and several meadow viewpoints with long winter grass and spring wildflowers. You’ll rotate handlers every ten minutes so everyone has a turn leading and taking photos; the group stops at two planned photo points and finishes with a ten-minute feeding-and-portrait session. This interaction is the highlight: hand-feeding treats, petting soft fleece, and snapping close-up portraits that capture each alpaca’s personality. Alpacas are not local wild fauna—they’re domestic camelids introduced to small farms—but they add a tactile, educational element to otherwise ordinary park walks. The experience is weather-dependent; plan for rain contingencies and note the operator requires a minimum of eight participants to hold a session. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and participants should be able to navigate uneven ground. Why this trip stands out: alpaca walks are rare in northeastern Ohio and bring a low-impact, up-close animal encounter without the confinement of a petting zoo. The operator’s approach emphasizes animal welfare—short, calm walks, rotation to avoid stress, and clear safety briefings—making this an ethical, memorable way to introduce families to farm animals while hiking in a public park. Practical details: bring water, snacks, and a camera; BYOB is permitted. Sessions run roughly one hour and fit easily into a day of exploring Ravenna or nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We will meet at Shaw Woods Park Located at 7075 Berry Rd, Ravenna, OH 44266. Arrive 10 minutes early so staff can cover safety and alpaca introductions. Sessions generally cap at 15 people; the experience is priced per person and requires a minimum of eight to run. If weather forces a change, the operator will reschedule or cancel. Bring closed-toe shoes for uneven terrain and expect a leisurely pace with stops.