A camel trek in LA sounds like a movie scene, but this one is real. You ride your camel into the forest for a picnic, then head back to a ranch packed with friendly animals and a campfire s’mores finish. I like how the whole thing feels private and focused, not rushed, with the kind of simple plan that’s easy to say yes to.

Two things I really like: the forest picnic with heart-shaped pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, and your choice of champagne or sparkling cider, and the hands-on ranch time where you meet a wide mix of animals (plus you get time with the camels). A small consideration: the experience has clear limits, like you must not be allergic to animals or hay, and you do need closed-toed shoes.

If you’re comfortable with animals and want a classic “only in LA” day that still feels down-to-earth, this tour has a lot going for it. Pricing is $875 per group up to 2, so it’s best when you’re going as a pair and you want the full included setup without add-ons.

Key Highlights Worth Planning For

• Forest camel ride plus a real 30-minute forest hang time with your picnic waiting
• Included food and drinks: heart-shaped pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, and champagne or sparkling cider
• 200+ animals across farm animals, reptiles, birds, and even bugs, with a hands-on ranch tour
• Get face time with the camels, including gentle ones named Herbie and Sully
• Private campfire s’mores to end your 3-hour adventure with photos anytime

Reptacular Ranch in Sylmar: where the adventure starts

Your meeting point is Reptacular Ranch at 8828 Gold Creek Rd in Sylmar, about as “LA practical” as you can get for something this offbeat. The tour runs about 3 hours, and it’s a private activity, so it’s only your group—no mixing into a big crowd.

I like how straightforward the setup feels from the start. You get a mobile ticket, you get confirmation at booking, and once you arrive you know the flow: camel ride into the forest, picnic, ride back, ranch visit, then campfire s’mores.

Because you’re going to be around animals and hay, the tour rules matter. You’ll want to wear closed-toed shoes, and if you have allergies to animals or hay, this won’t be a good fit.

Camel back into the forest: the picnic that makes it feel special

The core of the experience is your camel trek into the forest. The pacing is part of the charm: it’s not just “walk, pose, leave.” You ride in, and then you get time to actually stop and enjoy the setting.

The tour’s picnic spread is one of the biggest reasons people talk about this. You’ll find a picnic with a heart shaped pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, and your choice of champagne or sparkling cider. It’s the kind of food pairing that turns a casual outdoor break into a built-in moment, like a planned date or a fun milestone.

After that, you relax in the forest for about 30 minutes. That window is valuable because you’re not constantly moving from one thing to the next. You can slow down, take photos, and just enjoy the fact that you’re sitting in the trees on camelback planning that doesn’t exist in most LA itineraries.

From the ride side, safety details are taken seriously. One standout detail from feedback: people felt confident on the camels, and one review even said they felt safer than they do around horses. That’s not something I’d guess at, so it’s good that the staff seems to focus on making you comfortable before you go.

Trek back to the ranch: where the animals pull you in

Once your forest time ends, you camel ride back to the ranch. This second ride has a different feel than the first: you’re no longer wondering what the experience will be like. You’re riding because you already know what to expect.

Then comes the ranch portion, which is a full hour of animal time. This is where the tour becomes more than a novelty camel ride. You’ll tour a ranch with over 200 animals, covering farm animals, reptiles, birds, and bugs. If you love animal variety, you’ll likely spend more time looking than listening.

A key detail: it’s hands-on. That matters because you’re not just standing behind a fence. You’re involved in the ranch experience, and you get a chance to greet all three of the camels. One of the camel names that comes up is Herbie, and another is Sully, and the vibe described is gentle and friendly.

I also think this is one of the best “value signals” in the plan. A lot of tours say animals, then give you 15 minutes of watching. Here, you get an hour, and the animal mix is broad enough that most people find something new even if they’ve done zoos before.

Meet the camels and the rest of the ranch animals (with real time)

You don’t just see camels—you get to greet them, all three. In the feedback, Herbie and Sully are specifically mentioned, and the repeated point is that the camels are gentle and friendly. That matters for first timers, because fear is usually the first barrier, not courage.

If you’re thinking about whether you’ll actually feel comfortable, look at how the staff handles safety. Reviews highlight that safety details were attended to, and that the crew was super friendly and courteous. That combination is important. You want a guide who explains what’s happening and checks that you feel okay, especially when you’re meeting large animals up close.

One more practical note: you can take all the photos and videos you want with the animals. That’s a big deal for people who care about capturing the moment, because you’re not limited or rushed into a single photo window. It also means you can go at your own pace while you watch how the animals behave.

Campfire s’mores: the calm closer after an active morning

The last act is a private campfire with s’mores. This is the part that turns the tour from an activity into a memory. You’ve had movement—camel riding—and then time spent looking and interacting with animals. The campfire gives your brain a break.

Because it’s private, you’re more likely to feel like you can actually enjoy the moment rather than waiting for a crowd. It’s also a nice closing rhythm: you get the photos and the animal time, then you get the cozy finish.

If you’re the kind of person who remembers travel by sensory details, this ending helps. You’ve got food, warmth, and time to sit while the day’s energy drains down.

Price and included value: $875 for up to two, and what that buys you

At $875 per group (up to 2), this is not a budget activity. But the value logic here is clear: you’re paying for a private experience, not a seat on a shared tour bus. And you’re paying for a lot that’s included.

Your money covers the camel trek into the forest, the forest picnic setup (heart-shaped pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, and champagne or sparkling cider), the ranch portion with 200+ animals and a hands-on hour, and the private campfire with s’mores. You also get the reassurance that there are no extras charged and no hidden fees.

That last part matters more than people think. When tours add on fees later, you end up doing math mid-trip. Here, the plan feels all-in, which makes it easier to commit, especially if you’re planning something for a couple’s day.

So who does this price make sense for? It usually works best when:

• You’re going as a pair and want the privacy
• You care about animal time beyond a quick look
• You want a built-in food and drink moment, not a bring-your-own plan
• You’re traveling with someone who will enjoy the novelty of camel trekking without turning it into a long research project

If you’re going solo, you might feel the price more. This tour clearly targets small groups who want the full show.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is built for people who enjoy animals and don’t mind that the day includes handling and interacting in a hands-on way. Most travelers can participate, but you should take the restrictions seriously.

You should skip this if:

• You’re allergic to animals or hay
• You’re unwilling to wear closed-toed shoes
• You’re expecting a purely passive experience with no interaction

You’ll likely love it if:

• You’re going for a couples outing or a special birthday-style day
• You want something different from typical LA sightseeing
• It’s your first camel trekking experience and you want it handled with safety focus
• You want plenty of photo time without awkward limits

If you’re bringing a service animal, the tour says service animals are allowed. That’s a meaningful detail for planning your day.

Practical tips to make the 3 hours go smoothly

I’d plan around comfort and clarity. The tour runs about 3 hours, and it includes camel riding plus time at the ranch and at the campfire, so you’ll want shoes you feel stable in.

Here are a few practical things that match the tour rules and what the experience is built around:

• Wear closed-toed shoes; don’t show up in sandals
• If allergies are a concern, be honest with yourself. The tour can’t work if you’re allergic to animals or hay
• Bring your camera/phone mindset. Photos and videos with the animals are allowed, and this is the kind of experience where you’ll want to capture details
• Expect a structured flow. The day moves from forest ride to picnic to ranch to campfire, so you’ll get multiple “wow moments” without a complicated schedule

Also, if you’re nervous about camels, lean into the safety guidance. The feedback repeatedly points to staff attention to safety details, and people specifically mention feeling safer than they expected.

Should you book this 3-hour camel trek and ranch visit?

If you want a private, included, animal-heavy day that feels unusual without being complicated, I think this is an easy yes. The mix of forest camel ride, a real picnic with heart-shaped pizza and chocolate covered strawberries, an hour with 200+ animals, and a private s’mores campfire is a lot to pack into 3 hours—and the tour keeps it simple.

I’d only hesitate if the price is hard for you, or if allergies and hay exposure are a problem. Also, if your idea of a perfect day is zero animal contact, this is not that kind of experience.

For couples and small groups who want something memorable near Los Angeles, this tour has a strong track record: friendly staff, gentle camels like Herbie and Sully, and a plan that ends with you sitting by a campfire instead of rushing through your next stop.

FAQ

How long is the camel trek and ranch tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What’s included in the forest picnic?

The picnic includes heart shaped pizza, chocolate covered strawberries, and your choice of champagne or sparkling cider.

How long is the ranch tour part?

You’ll have about 1 hour for a hands-on animal ranch tour with over 200 animals.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Reptacular Ranch, 8828 Gold Creek Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342, USA. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What should I wear, and are there any restrictions?

You must wear closed-toed shoes. You can’t be allergic to animals or hay. Service animals are allowed, and most travelers can participate.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.