THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Walk three miles through Staunton State Park with two friendly llamas carrying the picnic. This family-friendly guided hike combines short trail sections, homestead history, and a scenic pondside gourmet lunch.
Walk three miles through Staunton State Park with two friendly llamas carrying the picnic. This family-friendly guided hike combines short trail sections, homestead history, and a scenic pondside gourmet lunch.
The trail opens beneath tall ponderosa and lodgepole pines, the smell of resin and sun-warmed earth rising as two gentle llamas fall into step beside you. Soft hooves rustle dry needles while the conversation of wind and creek threads through the trees, and an open meadow ahead promises pond reflections and the wide arc of the Rockies.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Kara Olyowski · Conifer, Colorado
The trail opens beneath tall ponderosa and lodgepole pines, the smell of resin and sun-warmed earth rising as two gentle llamas fall into step beside you. Soft hooves rustle dry needles while the conversation of wind and creek threads through the trees, and an open meadow ahead promises pond reflections and the wide arc of the Rockies.
Staunton State Park sits on red-rock ridges cut during the Laramide uplift; granite and sedimentary outcrops frame short, rolling canyons carved by seasonal creeks. The land holds human history too: homestead cabins from early 20th‑century settlers and older Ute and Cheyenne use of high meadows for summer hunting and gathering. Guides on this route weave geology and local lore into the walk, pointing out old ranch features and native wildflowers.
Practically, this is a relaxed, family-friendly 3‑mile guided hike where two llamas carry the picnic and light gear. Expect mixed singletrack and wide park service trails, modest elevation change, and pauses at scenic Davis Ponds for a sandwich-style picnic. Weather in the Colorado foothills can shift quickly—sun one moment, wind and clouds the next—so timing hikes for morning or late afternoon reduces afternoon thunderstorm risk in summer.
Bring layered clothing, sturdy shoes with good traction, and enough water for a few hours. Cameras and a patient pace reward photographers and families; handlers provide llama basics and safety briefings before you step out. The result is a low-impact, accessible way to meet pack animals, learn local natural history, and eat lunch with mountain views.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Suitable for people with moderate mobility; youngsters and seniors who can walk 3 miles at an easy pace will generally do fine.
Yes—llamas used on guided hikes are trained as pack animals and handlers give a safety briefing; children should remain calm and follow guide instructions.
The route is a gentle 3‑mile guided walk with modest elevation change, suitable for families and casual hikers with basic fitness.
Yes—guides provide a picnic lunch with drink options; dietary restrictions should be communicated in advance but not all restrictions can be accommodated.
Staunton State Park normally charges an entrance fee; organized tours sometimes provide logistics about parking and entry—confirm with the operator before your tour.
The area contains early 1900s homestead remains and sits on lands seasonally used for centuries by Ute and Cheyenne people.
Staunton State Park manages trails to limit erosion and protect meadows; stay on trail and pack out waste to minimize impact.
Kara Olyowski operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The trail opens beneath tall ponderosa and lodgepole pines, the smell of resin and sun-warmed earth rising as two gentle llamas fall into step beside you. Soft hooves rustle dry needles while the conversation of wind and creek threads through the trees, and an open meadow ahead promises pond reflections and the wide arc of the Rockies.
The trail opens beneath tall ponderosa and lodgepole pines, the smell of resin and sun-warmed earth rising as two gentle llamas fall into step beside you. Soft hooves rustle dry needles while the conversation of wind and creek threads through the trees, and an open meadow ahead promises pond reflections and the wide arc of the Rockies.
Staunton State Park sits on red-rock ridges cut during the Laramide uplift; granite and sedimentary outcrops frame short, rolling canyons carved by seasonal creeks. The land holds human history too: homestead cabins from early 20th‑century settlers and older Ute and Cheyenne use of high meadows for summer hunting and gathering. Guides on this route weave geology and local lore into the walk, pointing out old ranch features and native wildflowers.
Practically, this is a relaxed, family-friendly 3‑mile guided hike where two llamas carry the picnic and light gear. Expect mixed singletrack and wide park service trails, modest elevation change, and pauses at scenic Davis Ponds for a sandwich-style picnic. Weather in the Colorado foothills can shift quickly—sun one moment, wind and clouds the next—so timing hikes for morning or late afternoon reduces afternoon thunderstorm risk in summer.
Bring layered clothing, sturdy shoes with good traction, and enough water for a few hours. Cameras and a patient pace reward photographers and families; handlers provide llama basics and safety briefings before you step out. The result is a low-impact, accessible way to meet pack animals, learn local natural history, and eat lunch with mountain views.