Vermont has Christmas tree farms. Then it has this one.
On a ridge in the northern part of the state, a family farm has been doing things exactly the same way since 1983. You grab a saw and a sled, walk the hillside with views of Mt.
Mansfield stretching out behind the tree rows, find the one that feels right, and cut it down yourself.
Every tree is the same flat price no matter the size. Then you meet the llamas.
And the mini donkeys. And probably spend more time at the gift shop than you planned, distracted by the model train running through a Christmas village and the handmade wreaths and the stuffed animals made from real llama wool.
Is this Vermont at its most charming? It might just be.
The farm has never tried to be anything other than exactly what it is, and that is precisely what makes it so good.
A Farm With Real Roots
Some farms feel like sets. This one feels like it has been lived in, loved in, and worked on for decades, because it has.
Lindsay and Geoff Chandler bought the property in 1983. They did not rush things.
The first Christmas trees were not ready for cutting until 1988, five years after they arrived.
That kind of patience is rare. It tells you a lot about who these people are and how they run things.
Now their son Stephen is part of the operation too. Three generations of care have gone into this land, and visitors can feel it the moment they pull up the driveway.
The farm sits on a ridge in Vermont with views of Mt. Mansfield and Cold Hollow stretching out in front of you.
It is the kind of view that stops you mid-sentence.
Visitors say the crew makes you feel like old friends from the very first visit. That warmth is not an accident.
It comes from a family that genuinely loves what they do and who they share it with.
Could a place like this exist anywhere other than Vermont? Probably not.
And honestly, that is part of the charm.
Cutting Your Own Tree
There is something deeply satisfying about choosing a tree yourself. Not from a parking lot.
Not pre-wrapped in plastic. From an actual field, on an actual hillside, with a real saw in your hand.
At Northern Vermont Llama Co and Christmas Tree Farm, that is exactly how it works. You grab a saw and a sled, head out into the fields, and find the one tree that speaks to you.
The best part? Every tree is the same price, no matter the size.
The hills are a bit steep and can get icy or muddy depending on the day, so wear your boots. The farm sits on a ridge in Vermont, and the terrain is part of the adventure.
Once you find your tree and cut it down, the team wraps it up and helps load it onto your car or truck. You do not have to wrestle with it alone.
Holiday music plays across the property while you search. That little touch turns tree-hunting into something that feels festive from start to finish.
Have you ever dragged a freshly cut tree down a snowy hill on a sled? It is the kind of memory that sticks around long after the holidays are over.
Meet The Llamas
You came for the tree. You stayed for the llamas.
That is how it goes for most people who visit this farm.
The herd at Northern Vermont Llama Co is friendly, calm, and genuinely curious about the humans walking through their space. They are not background decoration.
They are part of the experience.
Visitors describe them as calming. One family said their llamas had that rare quality of making everyone slow down and just be present.
That is a pretty special thing for any animal to pull off.
Mini donkeys also share the farm, adding another layer of charm to the whole visit. Kids absolutely love it, and adults tend to forget they are adults for a while.
Dogs on leashes are welcome too, which makes the whole outing feel even more like a family affair. The farm in Waterville, Vermont, is one of those rare places where the whole household can join in.
One visitor shared that her daughter developed a full-on crush on one of the llamas after a farm visit. She now makes regular trips just to say hello.
That is the kind of connection this place creates.
What other Christmas tree farm can honestly say its animals have their own fan club? Northern Vermont Llama Co can.
The Gift Shop Magic
Rainy day? Snowy afternoon?
No problem. The gift shop at this Vermont farm is worth the trip on its own.
Right in the center of it all, a model train runs through a detailed Christmas village. Visitors say they could stand and watch it for hours.
It is the kind of display that makes grown adults feel like kids again.
The shelves around it are stocked with locally crafted items. Handmade wreaths, kissing balls, and garland made right on the farm are available for purchase.
These are not mass-produced decorations. Each one has been made by hand.
Lindsay Chandler has a deep passion for llama fiber, and that passion shows up throughout the shop. You will find fleece, yarn, finished hats, scarves, ornaments, and the fan-favorite Llama Llovables stuffed animals.
The stuffed animals are made from real llama wool. One visitor even had a replica made of a specific llama she had bonded with on a trek, using actual wool from that animal.
The owners made it happen. That is next-level thoughtfulness.
Complimentary hot apple cider is available while you browse. It is a small touch, but it makes the whole experience feel genuinely welcoming.
Could you leave without buying at least one thing? Probably not, and you would not want to.
Island Of Misfit Trees
Not every tree grows up to be a perfect cone. Some lean a little.
Some have a bare patch. Some are just doing their own thing, and honestly, good for them.
Northern Vermont Llama Co has a dedicated section called the Island of Misfit Trees. It is exactly what it sounds like: a collection of trees that did not quite make the traditional cut, but still have plenty of personality.
For families with a sense of humor or a smaller space to fill, this section is a goldmine. A tree with character is always more interesting than a perfectly symmetrical one.
Kids especially love the idea of rescuing a tree that nobody else wanted. There is something genuinely sweet about that.
It turns a shopping decision into a small act of holiday kindness.
The farm in Waterville, Vermont, has always had a warmth and humor about it that shows up in details like this. It is a place that does not take itself too seriously, and that makes it even more fun to visit.
Who decided that all Christmas trees need to be perfect anyway? The Island of Misfit Trees is a quiet rebellion against that idea, and visitors love it for that reason.
Sometimes the slightly crooked tree ends up being the most talked-about part of someone’s holiday decorations.
Llama Treks At Smugglers
The farm does not pack up when the Christmas season ends. Far from it.
Northern Vermont Llama Co runs llama treks through Smugglers Notch Resort, and visitors say it is one of the best things they have ever done in Vermont.
Stephen Chandler leads the treks, and the feedback is consistently enthusiastic. He remembers names, answers every question, and makes sure each person is matched with the right llama for them.
The llamas walk the trails at a relaxed pace. They are calm, responsive, and surprisingly easy to handle.
Visitors of all ages, from six-year-olds to grandparents in their seventies, have done the trek and loved every step.
Along the way, Stephen shares fun facts about the animals and the surrounding area. The trek includes a small picnic stop with snacks, which adds a lovely pause to the adventure.
One family said the trek was the highlight of their entire trip to Vermont. Another visitor said the llamas had a calming effect that was almost impossible to explain.
The treks are a great option for multi-generational groups. Not everyone in the family needs to be an experienced hiker.
The pace is friendly and the llamas do most of the heavy lifting, personality-wise.
Ready to hike with a llama through one of Vermont’s most scenic spots? It might just become your new favorite tradition.
Views That Stop You
Standing on a ridge in Vermont with a freshly cut Christmas tree at your feet and Mt. Mansfield spread out in front of you is not something you forget quickly.
The farm at 766 Lapland Rd sits high enough to offer sweeping views of Mt. Mansfield and the Cold Hollow range.
On a clear day, the scenery is jaw-dropping. On a snowy day, it is even better.
Most Christmas tree farms do not come with a view like this. Most farms are flat fields with a parking lot at the end.
This one asks you to walk a ridge and rewards you handsomely for the effort.
The hills are part of the experience. They can be steep and a little slippery, so proper footwear matters.
But the payoff at the top makes every careful step worth it.
Visitors often say they spent as much time looking at the mountains as they did looking at trees. That is a fair trade when the scenery is this good.
Vermont winters have a particular quality of light that makes everything look like a painting. This farm, perched on its ridge with rows of evergreens and snow-capped peaks behind them, captures that quality perfectly.
How many Christmas tree farms can honestly compete with a backdrop like that? The answer in Vermont is: not many.
Planning Your Farm Visit
Getting to Northern Vermont Llama Co and Christmas Tree Farm is part of the fun. The address is 766 Lapland Rd, Waterville, VT 05492, and the drive through Vermont’s back roads in winter is scenic in its own right.
The farm is open during the Christmas tree season, so timing your visit matters.
Dogs are welcome on leashes. So pack up the whole family, including the four-legged members, and make a day of it.
The choose-and-cut trees are priced flat regardless of size, which makes budgeting easy. Pre-cut trees are also available if you want a quicker option.
Stephen and the team will wrap and load your tree for you either way.
Wear boots. The ridge terrain can be muddy or icy, and you will want to walk the fields comfortably.
Dress for Vermont winter weather, which can surprise you.
For llama treks at Smugglers Notch, booking in advance is recommended since spots fill up. The treks run outside of Christmas season, giving you a reason to visit Vermont more than once a year.
Whether you are starting a new family tradition or continuing one, this farm in Vermont has a way of making every visit feel like the first time.