About Us
Meet Your Campground Owners & Hosts
Welcome to our new campground. Check out our TV Interview about the Campground at WBIR/TV Farm/Campground Interview .
We are family owned and operated. Carolyn and I are both educators. I was a high school principal for over 18 years and retired June 2017. Carolyn is a local artist and continues to be a high school art teacher. We invite you to stay at our campground where you are surrounded by llamas & other unique animals. We have raised llamas for over 20 years now. We purchased a dilapidated 50 year-old trailer park next to our farm and "re-purposed" it into a quaint little 31-site campground. We were able to keep the numerous 50 year-old maple trees for shade throughout the park and blended it with our 19 acre llama farm with walking trails through the woods & pastures.
Building this unique and intimate campground surrounded by beautiful llamas and infused with storytelling, fiber arts, and local historical culture has been a labor of love for us. Please join us as we continue adding amenities and activities to the park to make your stay "enjoyable, educational, and unique."
Additional information about the park can be found on the "Amenities" Page. You can also find us by googling "RV parks near me" or "campgrounds near me". We look forward to seeing you,
Jerry & Carolyn
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"Art at the Llama Farm" Day Camp for Children (Ages 9-13)
Treat your children or grandchildren to a four-day art & llama camp at Walnut Ridge Llama Farm in June. You can camp during the week while your young ones enjoy our Art & Llama Camp on the farm which adjoins the Lazy Llama Campground.
“Art at the Llama Farm” is a day camp experience located at Walnut Ridge Llama Farm. The llama farm offers a summer day camp unlike any other in the Southeast. It provides your children the opportunity to discover a world where life takes place in harmony with nature. Children are allowed to enjoy and learn through fiber arts and crafts while surrounded by the tranquility of llamas. The 19 acre llama farm is the ideal setting for such a unique art and farm experience. Children do not have to be “artistic” to attend the camp. This engaging environment will help children discover their own abilities and creativity through art and farm activities. Boys and girls alike will experience learning like they’ve never known before. They will enjoy the lost art of fiber and interact with one of the world’s most gentle creatures, llamas.
The llama farm’s summer day camp is open to children ages 9 through 13 years old. The two camp sessions are:
- Session I June 12-15
- Session II June 19-22
You can find more information about the camp at www.ArtDayCamp.com
Take weekend Art Classes from a local artist, Ms. Carolyn.
Ms. Carolyn will be teaching a variety of FREE art classes each Saturday beginning at 10:00am. You do not have to be artistic to take the classes. It is a great way to socialize with other campers & get in touch with your "artsy" side. The art classes will include spinning, weaving, felting, drawing, braiding, and painting with acrylics & watercolor. You will learn the techniques of fiber art using fiber from the llamas on the farm. The classes are open to campers & the local public. The art classes are FREE for campers and a $20 charge for local visitors. Those taking the classes will need to pay a small charge for the supplies.
Reservations for art classes need to be made on or before Fridays so Ms. Carolyn can prepare for classes.
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Campground & Farm Activities for Adults & Children
Enjoy "Storytelling Llama Hikes" on the Campground & Farm!
Our campground & farm is only 14 miles from the "Storytelling Capital of the World" in Jonesborough, TN. http://www.storytellingcenter.net/ They host the National Storytelling Festival each year in October with thousands from all around the world in attendance. To help people celebrate and learn about local history, humorous mountain/farm stories, and cultural heritage, our campground offers "Storytelling Llama Hikes" on the farm. Enjoy picking out your favorite hiking llamas that will carry your personal items including snacks & drinks for the hike.
The Walnut Ridge Llama Trail is an easy hike on the llama farm that will take you through the woods and llama pastures. You will leave the campground entering the 19-acre farm loaded with unique animals including several llamas, miniature donkeys, emus, and a miniature horse. There will be several stops along the way to hear humorous stories about the farm including “Blossom the Toe-sucking Pig.” You will also hear the Native American tale of the “Wendigo” and many local historical stories including Davy Crockett, President Andrew Johnson, & General John Morgan. You will visit the llama barn where you will be able to pet the baby llamas. The hike will reach the top elevation on the farm of 1,560 ft. where you will see a beautiful view of the Tennessee Valley that lays nestled against the Smoky Mountains. The hiking adventure is about 1-1½ hours long. You will begin and end the hike at the Llama Store where you can purchase lots of llama stuff including llama hats, socks, toys, homemade soaps, walking sticks, etc.
Scheduled hikes are Tuesdays at 10:00am or 1:30pm & Saturdays at 10:00am. Tickets are available in the camp office. Call the office for required reservations. Prices are as follows:
- Campers $30
- Non-Campers $35
Take a longer trek in the nearby National Forests with "The Wandering Llamas Trekking Company!"
Our campground is also the camping home of Sandy Sgrillo, the premier hiking expert east of the Mississippi River. Her trekking company, The Wandering Llamas, LLC, offers a longer llama hike called a "trek." Visit her website at http://thewanderingllamas.com/ for prices & scheduling, and tell her that you are camping at The Lazy Llama Campground.
Sandy writes...... "If you are looking for a delightful adventure for you and your family, then come and take an enchanting day hike with friendly pack llamas in the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee! We hike year 'round in East Tennessee and in western North Carolina. Each season in our beautiful Smoky Mountains is picture perfect and will delight you!
Make special memories with your family and friends…hiking with llamas will be an unforgettable trip that you will treasure for a lifetime! You will be captivated by the stunning views and impressed with our friendly llamas. Our irresistible pack llamas will keep you, your children and your friends entertained and fascinated all day long!
It won't be long before you fall in "LlamaLlove".
"Those Who Wander are not Lost"
Experience the "Saturday Wagon Ride Farm Tour" of Walnut Ridge Llama Farm
Campers are welcome to take the FREE weekly wagon ride farm tour of the Walnut Ridge Llama Farm. The wagon will pull out of the campground around 4:00 pm each Saturday, weather permitting. You will ride through the pastures and woodland trails seeing emus, two miniature donkeys named Joey & Camille, and of course several llamas. The wagon ride will stop at the top of the ridge where you will spend some time petting the llamas and playing with the baby llamas called "crias." The weekly ride is FREE for registered campers up to 4 in a campsite group. Donations are accepted which goes to feed the animals on the farm. Non-Campers & campground visitors are:
Age 13 to Adults: $10
Children (4-12): $ 5
Children (<3 yrs): Free
Reservations Required; Get tickets at the campground office. Approximately 1 1/2 hours; Begins April 7th!
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Why Stay at our Campground
Centrally located as a perfect "Base Camp" for Local Adventures & Day Trips
Come explore the natural beauty and history of the Tennessee Valley nestled between the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains. The Lazy Llama Campground is centrally located to serve as a "base camp" for a scenic drive through the mountains, solitude on a backcountry trail, the thrill of whitewater, a night under the stars, or an opportunity to catch wild trout.
A Short Drive to Nascar's Bristol Motor Speedway and the National Storytelling Festival in October.
Our campground is only about 45 minutes from the NASCAR Bristol Race twice per year and only 15 minutes to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. It's also a short drive to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, Asheville, North Carolina, and the Virginia Creeper Trail.
Or.... Just Hang out on a Working Llama Farm
Actually, you don't have to leave the campground to enjoy your time in East Tennessee. We have a large herd of beautiful llamas to enjoy, a large dog walk area, a baseball park, a mile of easy walking trails inside the llama pastures & woods, and special events throughout the camping season including professional storytellers, mountain music, fiber art classes, Storytelling Llama Hikes, and many activities for the entire family. Check out our video of the farm & campground at......
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4Jj4aTLrbDNYkJxNHNUTzVxdzg
Area Activities in Nature
Whitewater Rafting
There are several whitewater adventures within a short drive from our campground. You can ride Class II,III, and IV rapids through the Nolichucky River Gorge, the French Broad River, and the Pigeon River.
The Nolichucky River Gorge is one of the most beautiful and adventurous rivers in the entire Southeast. It provides rafters with an authentic river experience, far-removed in the wilderness, floating on a free-flowing river. The river's white waters wind through one of the deepest gorge in the eastern portion of the United States. It features steep slopes & cliffs that climb more than 2,000 feet, offering adrenaline-charged rafting in the middle of absolutely gorgeous scenery. Check for brochures in the campground office.
Hiking, Backpacking, or better yet...Llama Hiking
Explore the natural beauty of the Cherokee National Forest, located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. Hiking trails are plentiful in and around our campground. You can hike the llama trails on the farm or take a short drive to several trails in the Cherokee National Forest, the Appalachian Trail, or trails in the Smoky Mountains. Additional information can be found in the Llama Store/Office.
Mountain Biking or Road Biking
There are many biking trails in this area from mountain biking trails, paved road trails, to Rails to Trails. You can follow many road trails straight out of the campground or drive a short distance to the Tweetsie Trail in Johnson City or the Virginia Creeper near Abington. If biking is your niche, our campground is a great place to stay.........
A Golfing Mecca
Twin Creeks Golf Course
90 Chuckey Hwy,
Chuckey, Tennessee 37641
(423) 257-5192
Twin Creeks is less than one mile from the campground. This golf course is an 18-hole regulation length golf course in Chuckey, Tennessee. This medium-length layout has 3 sets of teeboxes for a fun, but challenging golfing experience. The front 9 is a tight, fun to play layout in which two converging creeks comes into play on five of the nine holes. The back nine is longer, but more forgiving due to the openness of the layout.
Graysburg Hills Golf Course
910 Graysburg Hills Rd,
Chuckey, Tennessee 37641
(423) 234-8061
Graysburg Hills is about 10 miles from the campground. This 27 hole course is a family owned and operated course which opened for play in 1978. The Knobs and Fodderstack Nines were designed by Rees Jones, recognized today as one of America’s leading golf course architects. The Chimney Top Nine was designed by Edward Lawrence Packard and opened for play in 1994. The course has bent grass greens, riviera bermuda grass fairways, a continous golf car path system thorough out the 27 hole course. There are 100 sand bunkers and six water hazards to challenge your accuracy and skill.
Andrew Johnson Golf Course
615 Lick Hollow Rd,
Greeneville, TN 37743
(423) 636-1476
The Andrew Johnson Golf Club is 13 miles from the campground. It is an 18 hole public facility including a driving range, practice green and snack bar. Our course architect was Robert C. Walker. The course is open and player friendly. Everyone from beginners to experienced golfers will find this course a pleasure to play. Water comes into play on three holes, but with well-placed shots it should not interfere with play. (However it will make you think about it) Each 9 plays differently. The front 9 requires more placement type of shots, while the back 9 allows you to fire away with each club.
The Crossings Golf Club
2585 Highway 81 N,
Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659
(423) 348-8855
The Crossings Golf Course is 16 miles from the campground. Located in the rolling hills of East Tennessee just minutes from the historic town of Jonesborough, you will find The Crossings Golf Club. The Crossings features a practice facility with a driving range, practice bunkers and a chipping and putting green. Nestled into the countryside as if it has been there since the game began, The Crossings invites you to an enjoyable and challenging round of golf.
Nolichucky View Golf Club
5605 Asheville Hwy,
Greeneville, TN 37743
(423) 638-7888
Nolichucky View Golf Course is 16 miles from the campground. They invite you to enjoy extraordinary golf in the foothills of the Appalachians at one of the most scenic and challenging courses in Northeast Tennessee. The Course meanders along the banks of the Nolichuckey River, providing spectacular views and peaceful river inlets against majestic mountain ranges. The course is 18 holes and open to the public.
Pine Oaks Golf Course
1709 Buffalo Rd,
Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 434-6250
Pine Oaks is 22 miles from the campground. The course is located in Johnson City and near the mountains of East Tennessee. It has been a favorite of locals for years. Quality course conditions, low rates, scenic mountain views and a course design suitable to golfers of all skill levels are but a few of the reasons for the continued popularity of Pine Oaks. Combine this with a convenient location, well stocked pro shop and a friendly staff focused on meeting your needs and you have all the essentials most are looking for in their next round of golf.