Tourism Council of Frederick County

Sugarloaf Alpaca Company is a distinct Frederick County destination for anyone interested in alpacas and their fiber. Known to the Incans as the 'Fiber of the Gods', Sugarloaf Alpaca Company not only breeds for the finest fiber but is developing a full-scale pasture-to-product farm. When you visit Sugarloaf Alpaca Company you’ll not only meet our alpacas and see the processing of the fiber into yarn (coming in 2012) you can also purchase dyed and naturally-colored yarns and fine alpaca fashions. Alpaca breeding in America may have started in Maryland when former governor Francis Thomas imported 13 alpacas in 1875 after he had served as the American minister to Peru for President Jackson. Alpaca was already considered a luxury item as two decades earlier Sir Titus Salt was the first to commercially process worsted alpaca which he marketed as “alpaca – silk for the price of wool.” It was such a luxurious fabric that President Abraham Lincoln was known to wear alpaca dress coats. The present day operation at Sugarloaf Alpaca Company welcomes visitors from near and far and is available for special events ranging from yarn ‘tasting’ parties to shearing festivals and seminars on alpaca husbandry. The farm is open 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily, until 7:00 PM Wednesday and Friday evenings with extended hours for special events and the holiday season.