You Can Sleep and Love on Alpacas at This Airbnb in North Dakota

I’m not sure when alpacas began appearing all over the Midwest, but I’m glad they did. I first fell in love with these lovable, moody, furry camel cousins during the many years I spent living and traveling in South America. Upon returning home, I discovered them snuggled up on hobby farms and lingering around farm stays, which makes my nomadic heart so happy. Now there seems to be a true alpaca obsession happening, which means I get to shamelessly tell all of you to go pet, feed, hug, and stay with alpacas. Frequently, if you can.

For this alpaca experience to be as authentic as possible, I highly recommend embracing the North Dakota plains, which share some similarities with the Andean páramo, the South American grasslands where vicuñas—the wild ancestors of domesticated alpacas—still roam. Here, in the closest Midwest version of that, alpacas thrive on the cool climate and grassy plains surrounding Apple Creek Cottage.

Apple Creek Cottage is a stay on a private 40-acre alpaca farm outside of Bismarck, just 4 miles from the city. This adorable red cottage features a modern farmhouse interior with wood floors and walls, a spacious white kitchen and bathroom, plus windows that overlook a big red barn, endless grassy lawns, and rolling plains where the animals roam. Additional perks of staying include farm-fresh eggs and seasonal, organic gardens. 

This North Dakota alpaca farm stay is an Airbnb Guest Favorite, with nearly 350 five-star reviews. The Apple Creek Cottage sleeps up to four guests in two bedrooms for $217 per night, year-round. While you’re here, you can dedicate your stay to supporting North Dakota agritourism by visiting the nearby Bismarck Community Orchard, Papa’s Pumpkin Patch, or attending the Bismarck Farmers Market, open Saturdays from June through October. Additional agritourism events near Bismarck include the Morton County Fair in mid-summer and the Mandan Rodeo Days in July.

You might also like to visit Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, a locally relevant place to learn more about the North Dakota Great Plains. It’s the oldest state park in North Dakota, and is just 13 miles southwest of Bismarck. Some of its key attractions include a segment of the Lewis and Clark Trail, the On-A-Slant Native American Village, and living history tours of Fort Lincoln and the Custer House. From an urban perspective, Bismarck is well known for its farm-to-fork restaurants, including Anima Cucina, Stonehome Brewing Company, Huckleberry House, FOMO 10/40 Creamery, and Fireflour Pizza, among others. Take a bite of their eats and know their deliciousness is credited to fresh ingredients sourced from local farms.

As you can see, the Apple Creek Cottage location is ideally situated, a convenient distance from the city and many other attractions. The best way to stay is for a few days or more, allowing yourself time to both ruminate on country living and fall in love with Bismarck. It’s North Dakota’s capital, but it still retains a charming small-town feel. Back at the farm, stay awhile and you might see a baby llama being born, get to help collect chicken eggs, or become best pals with friendly, farm cats. 

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