Clancy, Montana • Self-Guided Pack Llama Adventures

Where the Wild Trails
Begin

Premium self-guided pack llama rentals for hikers, hunters, anglers, and families exploring the Montana backcountry. You lead, the llamas carry.

Helena Backcountry Llamas full logo

Montana Llamas Built for the Backcountry

We raise and train premium pack llamas for Montana's rugged terrain. Each animal is gentle, well-socialized, and capable of carrying around 60–75 lbs — letting you go farther and stay longer in the wilderness.

Whether you're planning a family day hike, a multi-day fishing trip, or a fall hunting expedition deep in the mountains — our llamas carry the gear so you can enjoy every step.

How It Works

From first inquiry to backcountry adventure — here's what to expect when you rent from Helena Backcountry Llamas.

01
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Request & Book

Submit a booking request with your trip dates, number of llamas, and destination. We'll confirm availability within 24 hours. A 50% deposit at checkout (Square) holds your dates.

Book a Trip →
02
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Llama Clinic

Required for first-timers, recommended for everyone. Included in your rental fee and done at pickup at our ranch at 310 Lump Gulch Rd in Clancy, MT. You’ll learn saddle fitting, loading panniers, leading on trail, and camp setup with the llamas.

Read the Prep Guide →
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Pick Up at the Ranch

Bring your half-ton truck with brake controller to our ranch in Clancy, MT. We load the llamas into the stock trailer, do a final equipment check, and send you off. You tow the trailer to your trailhead yourself; it’s part of your rental at no extra charge.

View Packing Checklist →
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Hit the Trail

Your llamas are loaded, you know how to handle them, and the backcountry is waiting. Kevin is available 24/7 at 801-372-0353 throughout your trip for any questions or emergencies.

Emergency Contact →
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Return

Return the llamas and all equipment to the ranch in the same condition as received. The remaining 50% balance is due at trip start, so there is nothing left to pay at return. We'll unload, check in the gear, and start planning your next adventure.

View Lease Agreement →

Pricing & Packages

All rental llamas come fully equipped — everything you need for a successful backcountry trip. Flat rate $75 per llama per day — 2 llama minimum (from $150/day).

What's Included with Every Llama
🦙Halter & lead rope
🎒Saddle with pad(s) & panniers
🪣Two square buckets (optional)
⛺Picket stake & picket line
🖌️Llama brushes & scales
🌾Llama feed included
🚛Stock trailer available if needed
💧5-gal water container per trailer
Stock Trailers: All trailers are double-axle with 7-pin wiring harness, spare tire & tire iron, and are regularly inspected. Each comes with pellet bucket, water bucket, and 5-gal water container. Your vehicle must be a half-ton truck or similar with a brake controller.

Ready to reserve? A 50% deposit holds your booking. Pay securely at checkout via Square — we'll confirm your dates within 24 hours.

Reserve with Deposit →

Check Availability & Book

Review open dates, then request your trip. Flat rate $75 per llama per day · 2 llama minimum (from $150/day). A 50% deposit via secure Square Checkout holds your reservation; we confirm within 24 hours.

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SeasonMain season May through mid-November; off-season rentals by request.
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Location310 Lump Gulch Rd, Clancy, MT 59634
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Deposit50% via Square Checkout (card). Balance due at trip start.
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Cancellation60+ days before departure: full refund minus a $100 administrative fee; 46–59 days: 50% refund of the total trip cost; 45 days or less: non-refundable (travel insurance strongly recommended). Full terms in the Lease Agreement.
Live Estimate
DetailSelect dates and llamas to see estimate.
Days—
Rate—
Trip subtotal—
50% deposit due now—

You will pay the 50% deposit securely via Square. We confirm availability within 24 hours. Remaining balance is due at trip start. Rate: $75/llama/day · 2 llama minimum.

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Request Received!

We'll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm your dates.

While You Wait

📖 Your Trip Preparation Guide is ready

Gear, handling, trail tips, and more.

View Trip Preparation Guide →

Online Waivers

Complete your liability waiver before your trip. All participants must sign prior to handling llamas.

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Liability Waiver

Required for all participants age 18+. Covers llama handling, trail activities, and equipment use. Must be submitted before trip departure.

Submission failed. Please email [email protected] directly.
Click to sign
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Waiver Submitted!

Confirmation sent to your email. See you on the trail!

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Minor Participant Waiver

For participants under 18. Must be completed and signed by a parent or legal guardian before the trip.

Submission failed. Please email [email protected] directly.
Click to sign
✅

Minor Waiver Submitted!

Confirmation sent to your email. See you on the trail!

Meet the Llamas

Every llama in our string has its own personality, history, and specialty. Get to know the team that will carry your gear into the backcountry.

Boulder
String Leader
Boulder
8 years old

Boulder is the undisputed boss of the herd. As the leader of the string, where Boulder goes, the others follow — making him the backbone of every backcountry trip. He has a soft spot for treats.

Wookie
Fan Favorite
Wookie
9 years old

The fluffiest member of the herd and the undeniable fan favorite. Wookie's impressive coat turns heads on every trail. Don't let the wild hair fool you — he's a seasoned, reliable packer.

Murphy
Cautiously Curious
Murphy
6 years old

Murphy takes his time warming up, but once he trusts you, he's a steady and dependable trail companion. He approaches new things with careful curiosity — a thoughtful llama through and through.

Everett
Young Explorer
Everett
5 years old

The youngest veteran of the string, Everett brings energy and curiosity to every trip. He's always alert to what's around the next bend — a young llama with a big adventurous spirit.

Nature's Gentle Backcountry Companion

A well-trained pack llama can carry up to one-third of its body weight, navigating steep and unstable terrain with ease thanks to their padded feet — leaving little trace on delicate ecosystems. On the trail, they're quiet and alert, often the first to notice wildlife. In camp, a contentedly grazing llama adds a calm, almost therapeutic presence to any wilderness experience.

Pack llamas are eco-friendly travelers. Their browsing habits are gentle on flora, their footprints light on the trail, and their manure enriches the land. For those who value leaving nature as they found it, there's no better backcountry companion.

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Padded feet

Soft padded toes are gentle on trails and leave minimal impact on delicate ecosystems

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Carry up to ⅓ body weight

A conditioned pack llama can haul serious gear through any terrain

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Low environmental impact

Gentle browsers that tread lightly — the responsible choice for wilderness travel

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Quiet trail companions

Minimal noise, maximum awareness — llamas often spot wildlife before you do

Calculate Your Trip Cost

Get an instant estimate based on your trip length and number of llamas. A 50% deposit holds your reservation.

2
Minimum 2 llamas per booking
3
$75/llama/day · 2 llama minimum
Daily Rate
Daily rate$75 / llama / day
2 llamas × 3 days$450
50% deposit due now$225
Total trip cost$450
Reserve with Square Deposit →

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before your first llama backcountry trip.

No prior experience is necessary. We provide a full handling orientation before every trip covering how to lead, tie, load, and care for the llamas on trail. Our llamas are well-trained and used to first-time handlers.
A conditioned pack llama can carry up to one-third of its body weight — typically around 60 to 75 lbs of gear. This varies by llama and trip length. We'll work with you to distribute loads appropriately across the string.
Absolutely. Llamas are gentle, quiet animals that are wonderful with children. They're curious and calm by nature, and many kids love interacting with them. That said, we always recommend adult supervision around any pack animal.
The Helena area has fantastic llama-friendly trails including the Elkhorn Mountains, the Big Belt Mountains, and the Continental Divide Trail corridor. We're happy to recommend routes based on your group size, fitness level, and trip goals — just ask when you book.
It depends on the area. Many wilderness areas allow pack llamas but may require a stock permit or have restrictions during certain seasons. We can advise on permit requirements for popular routes in the Helena area. Final permit responsibility rests with the renter.
No. Every Helena Backcountry Llamas rental is self-guided: you lead, the llamas carry. You plan and lead your own trip, and as the Lease Agreement says, the renter is their own guide. We teach you to handle the llamas at the clinic and are happy to suggest llama-friendly routes.
You'll need a half-ton truck or similar (Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, etc.) equipped with a brake controller. Our trailers are double-axle with a 7-pin wiring harness for trailer lights and come with a spare tire and tire iron.
We provide llama feed and a 5-gallon water container with each trailer. On the trail, llamas graze and browse naturally and can go surprisingly long periods without water compared to horses. We'll give you detailed feeding and watering guidance during your orientation.
The ccara (from the Quechua word "kara" meaning llama) is the original llama type, bred from guanacos by the Indigenous people of the Andes. Ccara llamas have a double coat with coarse outer guard hairs and finer inner fleece, and are known for their hardiness across climates and altitudes. Our pack llamas carry this heritage of strength and adaptability.
You are responsible for the animals in your care during the rental period. In the event of injury or loss, replacement costs are outlined in the Llama Lease Agreement you sign before your trip. We have an emergency contact line available 24/7 during your rental period.
We recommend booking at least 4–6 weeks in advance, especially for peak hunting season (September–November) and summer weekends. A 50% deposit at checkout (Square) secures your dates. Last-minute bookings may be available — just reach out and ask.
Cancellation follows the Llama Lease Agreement: 60+ days before departure, full refund minus a $100 administrative fee; 46–59 days before departure, 50% refund of the total trip cost; 45 days or less, the trip cost is non-refundable. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Book a Trip $75/llama/day • 2 llama minimum • Tap to reserve