A camel trek in LA is rare. This 3-hour outing pairs a ride through the forest with a hands-on ranch visit, plus a campfire s’mores finish. I like how the day is paced: you get nature time first, then you switch gears to meet animals, then you end with a cozy, no-rush snack setup.

My favorite parts are the gentle, guided camel experience and the all-included food—heart-shaped pizza, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a drink choice. One real consideration: you need to be comfortable around animals and hay, since the tour can’t work for people with allergies to animals or hay.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Forest camel trek with a picnic waiting for you when you arrive in the trees
• Heart-shaped pizza and chocolate-covered strawberries included (yes, really)
• One full ranch tour hour with hands-on time around 200+ animals
• Camels named Herbie and Sully (and the ranch keeps the experience calm and safe)
• Private campfire with s’mores to close out the adventure

Camel Trekking Through Sylmar Forest: The 3-Hour Flow

This is the kind of Los Angeles activity that feels different fast. You start at Reptacular Ranch in Sylmar, then head out on camel back into the forest—so instead of staring at traffic or lining up for another indoor exhibit, you’re moving through greenery with an animal under you. The total time is about 3 hours, and the tour is private for your group (up to 2 people), so you’re not squeezed into a long, slow-moving herd of strangers.

What makes the structure work is the rhythm. You don’t just ride and leave. You stop for a 30-minute forest break, you ride back to the ranch, then you get a full 1-hour animal ranch experience before ending with a private campfire. That order matters: the food and rest come before the animal time, which helps the whole experience feel calmer.

If good weather is your thing (or at least you don’t want a wet, muddy mess), plan around it. The ranch requires solid weather for the experience, and if it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

The Picnic in the Trees: Heart-Shaped Pizza, Strawberries, Champagne or Cider

The picnic is not an afterthought. After your camel trek into the forest, your meal is ready for you where you are. The menu is simple and fun: heart-shaped pizza, chocolate-covered strawberries, and your choice of champagne or sparkling cider.

Two things about this that I think you’ll appreciate:

1. It feels like a real outing, not just a snack between photos.
2. It’s set up so you can eat and relax without constantly coordinating extras.

Also, the pairing makes sense. You’re in the forest on camel back, then you get something sweet and celebratory. If you’re the type who likes a little romance or a “special day” vibe—even if it’s just for you—this portion delivers.

One more practical note: since you’re outdoors, come prepared for time spent sitting on the ground or around picnic areas. Closed-toe shoes are required anyway, and you’ll likely want footwear that can handle a bit of dust.

The Hands-On Ranch Tour with 200 Animals

After the forest stop, you camel ride back to the ranch for the main animal part of the experience. You’ll get about 1 hour that’s explicitly hands-on, with the chance to greet the ranch’s 200 animals across multiple categories—farm animals, reptiles, birds, bugs, and more. The ranch also greets all three camels, which keeps the animal theme consistent.

Here’s what this means for your day: you’re not just looking at animals behind glass, and you’re not doing a quick drive-by. This is closer to “meet the place” time. You get to interact in a controlled way, and the staff focus on keeping it safe and comfortable—something the reviews strongly emphasize.

A key detail I’d file under worth knowing: the tour includes time for photos and videos with the animals. That matters because so many animal experiences limit pictures or rush you. This one is built so you can document the moment without feeling like you’re holding everyone up.

Camel Safety and Comfort: What to Know Before You Mount Herbie

The camels are gentle and the tour’s staff pay attention to safety details. Reviews call out that the experience feels safer than people expected, including for those who’ve had uncomfortable moments around other big animals. That’s a big deal, because camel trekking has a reputation that can scare people off before they even start.

You should still go in with realistic expectations:

• You’ll be guided, not left to figure it out alone.
• You’ll need to follow footwear rules—wear closed-toed shoes.
• You can’t participate if you’re allergic to animals or hay.

The hay allergy piece is the big one. Even if you love animals, this isn’t a “test it and see” situation. If hay or animal allergens are an issue, it can derail the whole experience, and the ranch won’t put you in that position.

Also, the camels you’ll meet are part of the personality of the day. In the reviews, camels Herbie and Sully are mentioned as gentle and friendly, which is exactly what you want when you’re trying something new.

Campfire S’mores: Why the Ending Works

The final stretch is the calm, cozy payoff. After the ranch tour, you finish with a private campfire and s’mores. It’s not just a snack. It’s a reset.

After a ride and an animal meet-and-greet, your body is warm, your brain is full of new sights, and you’re likely ready to stop moving. A campfire ending is a smart design choice because it gives you time to sit, relax, and enjoy the last part without rushing for the next thing.

If you’re coming with someone you’re trying to impress—partner, family member, or a friend who keeps you grounded—this ending is exactly the kind of moment people remember. It feels like the tour saved the best mood for the close.

Price and Value: $875 for Two, But Everything Is Included

Let’s talk money clearly. This tour costs $875 per group, up to 2 people. For many people, that’s not a “random Saturday activity” price. It’s a date-night or once-in-a-while splurge.

So where’s the value?

• You’re paying for a guided camel trek into the forest plus a ranch experience that includes 200 animals.
• The tour includes food and drink: heart-shaped pizza, chocolate-covered strawberries, and champagne or sparkling cider.
• The finish includes s’mores at a private campfire.
• Reviews also emphasize staff attentiveness and safety details, which matters when you’re dealing with large animals and close interaction.

One practical advantage for planning: the tour is structured so there are no extras charged and no hidden fees, and you’re told everything is included. That reduces the “okay, now what else do I have to pay for?” stress. When you’re choosing a premium, private experience, that clarity is part of the deal.

If you’re traveling solo, the cost is harder to justify. If you have one other person you’ll actually enjoy sharing a private moment with, the pricing makes more sense. You’re essentially buying a tailored afternoon rather than buying “access” to a bigger public event.

Who Should Book This Camel Trek (and Who Should Skip It)

This experience is a strong fit if you want:

• Something outdoorsy but not hiking-strenuous
• A break from typical LA attractions
• A hands-on animal experience that’s structured and guided
• A food-and-moment package (picnic + s’mores) rather than just a ride

It may not be the right choice if:

• You have allergies to animals or hay (non-negotiable for participation)
• You’re not comfortable around farm-style animals, reptiles, birds, or bugs
• You’re looking for a long, multi-stop day—this is compact by design, about 3 hours

Good news: most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. You still need closed-toed shoes, so plan around comfort and traction.

Practical Planning Tips for Your Visit to Reptacular Ranch

Here are a few things that will help you enjoy the day more, based on how these tours are designed to run:

• Wear footwear you’d be fine walking in for an outdoor experience. Closed-toe shoes are required.
• Bring a phone or camera you can use one-handed if needed. The tour is set up for photos and videos, but you’ll want to have your hands ready when you’re greeting animals.
• Expect it to feel like one continuous flow: camel trek in, picnic pause, camel trek back, hands-on ranch tour, campfire finish.

Since this is a private tour for your group, you’ll also appreciate that you can move at the tour’s pace without feeling lost in a crowd.

Should You Book This Camel Trek?

I think you should book if you want a genuinely different Los Angeles afternoon—one that combines camel trekking, a forest picnic, and a serious ranch animal moment in just a few hours. The included food is part of why this feels like a celebration, not a basic tour add-on.

I’d hesitate only if the allergy rule applies, if you dislike being up close with animals, or if the $875 price feels like too much for a 3-hour activity. Otherwise, for couples, small groups, and anyone chasing something memorable rather than “more of the same,” this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the camel trek experience?

The experience runs for about 3 hours.

Where does the tour start?

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

What’s included in the picnic?

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

Do you ride the camels back to the ranch?

Yes. After the forest time, you camel ride back to the ranch.

How long is the ranch animal portion?

The hands-on ranch tour portion lasts about 1 hour.

How many animals will you see?

The ranch has over 200 animals across farm animals, reptiles, birds, and bugs, and you’ll greet all three camels.

What food is served at the end?

The tour ends with a private campfire and s’mores.

What should I wear?

Closed-toed shoes are required.

Can I participate if I have allergies?

No. You can’t participate if you are allergic to animals or hay.

What happens if the 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.