Yes, you can hike to two giant waterfalls with a llama in tow. Headwaters Outfitters leads guided llama hikes at DuPont State Recreational Forest in Western NC, about an hour from Greenville, SC. Here is what our day looked like, what it costs, who can go, and how to book your own.
Huge thanks to Headwaters Outfitters for letting us do this bucket list adventure so we could write a story about it!
I have wanted to go hiking with llamas for years. I absolutely love these South American creatures for their judgmental stares, fluffy coats, and huggable necks. So when my daughter and I finally got to check this one off the bucket list, I was beyond excited.
We hiked with llamas through Headwaters Outfitters in Rosman, NC (but that’s not where you hike). They also lead summer tubing and kayaking trips (we wrote about that day on the water in our Headwaters Outfitters tubing story). Headwaters is a small, family-owned shop that has been in business since 1992. If you are going to enjoy the outdoors, this is the company to do it with.
Llama Hike Quick Facts
- Where: DuPont State Recreational Forest, 7828 Merrimac Avenue, Cedar Mountain, NC
- Drive from Greenville, SC: About an hour
- The route: The High Falls and Triple Falls Loop. Our hike was about 3 miles roundtrip.
- Meeting time: 9:30 am at the trailhead
- How long: Headwaters lists the trip at about 2-3 hours. Our trip took about 2.5 hours.
- Cost: $75 per person (check Headwaters for the current price)
- Ages: 5 and older
- Group size: Trips require a minimum 6 and maximum 16 people. If the trip is full, you may share a llama with your group.
- Days offered: Weekdays only
- Dogs: Not allowed on llama hikes
- Book: Registration is required in advance through Headwaters Outfitters or call 828.877.3106
Meet Sandy, the Fluffiest Llama in Western NC
My llama was named Sandy, and he was oh-so-fluffy. I loved him immediately. He was calm and sweet, and he never once rushed me. There were several llamas on our hike and they were all wonderful. Mark English of Llama Caddy, the llama wrangler, introduces all the llams beforehand and you can take photos and pet their flufffy coats while you wait. Some are more judgemental. Others don’t know what personal space means. And others just want to eat their hay.
They were also all boys, because the girls caused too much llama drama. Relatable!
During the hike, you literally hike with your llama. Mark tells you how to properly hold the harness beforehand. And at some parts of the trail, you even get to trot with the llamas, which was a blast.
The Trail: Two Huge Waterfalls and a River
The hike follows the High Falls and Triple Falls Loop in DuPont State Recreational Forest. It is about three miles roundtrip, and we thought it was moderate. Most of it is flat and there are some inclines. Mark gives you plenty of times to rest and drink some water and visit waterfalls. You trek through beautiful woods, walk next to a river, and see two huge waterfalls. Headwaters describes these llama hikes as easy-paced, but this is still a hike in nature, so know your limits.
We went in the fall, when the leaves were stunning. Leaves plus llamas plus hiking plus waterfalls pretty much made it the perfect day.
Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes with good tread and bring a rain jacket, water, snacks, bug spray, and sunscreen. Headwaters says the hike goes on in the rain as long as it is safe, so pack extra layers.
Hiking with Llamas Makes You a Celebrity
Hiking with llamas attracts A LOT of attention. Other hikers absolutely loved seeing llamas on the trail. It was like all of us were celebrities.
There are some parts of the hike where you leave your llamas with Mark and walk to the bottom of High Falls and the overlook at Triple Falls. Those areas are too congested for llamas. When my daughter and I went to the waterfalls and then came back, the group of llamas was surrounded by a huge group of hikers who were all like – WHAT, llamas on trails?! It was great. I would have 100% had the same exact reaction. I pretty had that reaction the entire time we were hiking anyways because seriously, llamas on trails – just awesome.
Our Guides Were Awesome
Mark and Lydia, who works for Headwaters Outfitters and was our second guide, were so knowledgeable and attentive. They also took lots of photos for us! I got to meet Debi, who started Headwaters Outfitters with her husband, as well. She was the sweetest and also took photos for us, which was helpful because you need two hands to walk with your llama.
Getting to know small business owners is one of the best parts of my job at Kidding Around Greenville and meeting the owners of the family-run Headwaters Outfitters is no different. I got to go tubing (twice!) and kayaking with them this past summer and had the best experience. They suffered immensely after Hurricane Helene and are still rebuilding their business but they were so positive and humble and professional. I received that same level of expertise during this hike. Mark and Lydia were fantastic and made sure that the llamas were safe and guests were having a great time while making it all look easy.
Headwaters Outfitters offers so many outdoor adventures that it’s hard not to want to do all of them (who am I kidding – I want to do them all!). Finding such a cool small business like this is a treasure and every single one of our experiences with them has been truly amazing.
My Honest Take
It was an amazing experience. I was smiling ear to ear the whole time. This is easily one of the best experiences I have had in Western NC, and it is only about an hour from Greenville. The catch? Trips run on weekdays only and you have to book ahead, so this one takes a little planning (and a day off school or work).
How to Book a Llama Hike at DuPont
Headwaters posts its llama hike dates on its events calendar, and you register in advance. Trips need at least six people to run, so Headwaters will confirm with registered guests. Cancel at least 7 days ahead for a refund, and if the guides cancel, you get a full refund. Start at the Headwaters Outfitters guided hiking page, or call 828.877.3106.
The next llama hike is on Friday, October 30th, 2026. They will hopefully add another day in November closer to Thanksgiving.
Good to know: This is a hike in nature, but it is not a hard one. Even so, know your limits. Kids ages 5 and older are welcome, and no dogs are allowed on llama hikes.
Llama Hike FAQs
Can kids go on the llama hike at DuPont State Recreational Forest?
Yes. Headwaters Outfitters welcomes kids ages 5 and older on its guided llama hikes.
How long is the llama hike?
Headwaters lists the trip at about 2 hours, starting at 9:30 am. Our hike was about 3 miles roundtrip, and we spent about 2.5 hours at the forest.
How much does a guided llama hike cost?
Headwaters lists the guided llama hike at $75 per person. Registration is required in advance.
Can I bring my dog on the llama hike?
No. Dogs are not allowed on guided llama hikes, for the safety of the llamas.
Are llama hikes offered on weekends?
No. Headwaters offers llama hikes on weekdays only, because weekend trail traffic is heavy on public lands.
What should I bring on a llama hike?
Bring a day pack, water, snacks, closed-toe shoes with good tread, a rain jacket, extra layers, bug spray, and sunscreen.
Want more trails for the whole family? Check out our guide to hiking near Greenville, SC, with trails for little kids, big kids, and adventurous families.
