Stay at Buck Brook Alpacas farm in Roscoe for a cozy NYS fall getaway

The small Catskills town of Roscoe may be known for its trout, but there's another local worth getting to know: the alpaca.

At Buck Brook Alpacas, perched on one of the highest points in Sullivan County, more than 120 of the fluffy animals roam the pastures in all 22 natural colors, from white and fawn to the rare grays that are a visitor favorite.

You can meet them, walk them and spend the night in the Airbnb above the barn, about three hours from Long Island. And when you're ready to see why Roscoe earned its "Trout Town, USA" nickname, the area's famous rivers are just a short drive away.

Meet the herd, shop the farm

More than 120 alpacas live at Buck Brook Alpacas (12 Bestenheider Rd.; buckbrookalpacas.com; 845-807-3104), some boarded and some owned by the farm. Twenty-two crias, or baby alpacas, were born last year and adults are shorn once a year (in May at Buck Brook) so they stay cool all summer. The fleece grows back through fall and winter, making it the perfect time to see them at their fluffiest. 

"The alpacas have nice fluffy fiber on them so they look really cute right now," farm manager Terri Husson says. "By the end of the winter they have six inches of fiber on them like big giant teddy bears."

You can visit three ways. Entry to tour the farm on your own is $15, and a guided tour is $20. For a closer encounter, you can schedule a 30-minute walk with your own alpaca for $30. Reservations are available online.

Husson says alpacas come in 22 natural colors, more variety than in any other animal. The palette runs through white, fawn, beige, silver gray, rose gray, bay black and black. White is the dominant color genetically, while the grays are the rarest. Buck Brook has every color, and the grays are the visitor favorite according to Husson. The farm also has Angora rabbits, Nigerian goats, black-nosed sheep, two llamas, peacocks, ducks and a potbellied pig.

The farm store is one of the biggest draws, which carries products made from the farm's own fiber or by artisans in Peru, including scarves, socks, blankets, stuffed animals and more.

Sleep above alpacas

Buck Brook Alpacas has turned the space above its barn into a cozy Airbnb. The farm sits on one of the highest points in Sullivan County, and Husson says the views are "absolutely amazing," especially in fall. 

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom loft apartment sleeps up to six and has a private staircase entrance, two expansive decks overlooking the farm and a fire pit. The modern interior is complemented by alpaca-themed decor everywhere, from the alpaca-face pillows on the beds to the fluffy tapestries on the walls.

Guests get a complimentary farm tour and 10% off at the farm store. Rates start at $490 a night, with a two-night minimum on weekends.

Explore Trout Town, USA

Roscoe has a nickname and lives up to it. Two rivers, the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek, meet here, and fly fishing has drawn people to the area for generations.

The hot spot is Junction Pool, where the two waters converge. According to a sign posted by the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (1031 Old Route 17; cffcm.com; 845-439-4810), which owns the pool, legend has it that the strange currents leave migrating trout confused, so they linger for days trying to decide which stream to enter. The museum covers the history of the sport and also runs workshops on tying flies and making bamboo rods.

For the local beer, bites and outdoor activities, head to Roscoe Beer Co. (145 Rockland Rd.; roscoebeercompany.com; 607-290-5002). Nestled between the two rivers, the former firehouse turned brewery has a tasting room, gift shop and beer garden open year-round. Tours are available, and weekly specials include $1 Wing Wednesdays and $4 pints on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. On Sundays, live music runs from 1 to 4 p.m., with outdoor games set up for families.