FAQ

Yes; parking is free and located on Black Barn Alpacas property. Continue down the driveway until you see signs directing you where to park. Be aware that parking is in a grass field. Keep speeds below 5mph and give pedestrians the right of way.

No. You will not receive physical tickets for your tour. Confirmation emails will be sent via email. Be prepared to show your confirmation email upon arrival and/or provide the first and last name on the reservation.

Closed-toe shoes are required when visiting our ranch. We encourage boots or tennis shoes, jeans, and a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Keep in mind that alpacas do occasionally spit, so we do not recommend wearing your Sunday best. During the warmer months, you may want to consider applying sunscreen and/or bug spray.

Unless otherwise stated, you are welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy during your visit; however, hard coolers are prohibited. We have a selection of bottled drinks and packaged snacks available for purchase inside The Shoppe. We are a BYOB venue.

There is a restroom available inside of Barn 2 and a portable restroom located near parking. Additional portable restrooms will be added for our large-scale events.

Please notify us of any special needs prior to your arrival. Due to the historic nature of our ranch, there is limited wheelchair accessibility, but we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

We will operate most events rain or shine; however, we may have to postpone or reschedule if there is lightning or extreme conditions in the area. We will communicate any closures due to weather via email and social media, and will call your listed phone number as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to welcome pets on the ranch; however, registered service animals are welcome. For safety reasons, service animals cannot enter the alpaca pens.

For smaller events and tours, our guide will provide you with some important safety rules and recommended approaches. Generally speaking, we ask that you pet the alpacas from their neck to their shoulder, avoiding their face, mouth, and back-end. You can also kneel or lean down and place your hands behind your back – this makes you less intimidating to the alpacas, and may get you some alpaca nose-boops! We have a zero-tolerance for chasing or mishandling the alpacas. Our number one priority is your safety and the safety of our animals. You may be asked to leave, without refund, if you are observed chasing or mishandling the alpacas.

We do not offer refunds for visitor cancellations, or if you miss your scheduled tour. You are able to reschedule your tour through Fareharbor at any point up until 48 hours before your visit, subject to availability. If you are not ready to reschedule, you can cancel your reservation and receive a credit toward a future booking. If you must reschedule within 48 hours of your visit due to illness or an emergency, we will do our best to work with you; however, some fees may apply. Apart from force majeure, if we have to cancel your tour, you are entitled to a refund.

Visit the Downtown Sykesville Connection (https://www.downtownsykesville.com/attractions/) or Carroll County Tourism (https://carrollcountytourism.org/visitor-center/) websites for a list of other local attractions, nearby restaurants, and hotel accommodations.