Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Local alpaca guide · Mid-Atlantic

Raising Alpacas in Virginia

Virginia has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa): summer highs average 87°F in July and winter lows average 27°F in January, with about 46 inches of precipitation a year. The main challenges for alpaca keepers here are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team

Statewide snapshot

65/100Alpaca climate comfort score (state average)
87°FAverage high, Jul (state average)
27°FAverage low, Jan (state average)
~20Days above 90°F (32°C) per year (state average)
~84Frost nights per year (state average)
46 inAnnual precipitation (state average)
7Barber pole worm months (state average)
12Hay bales / alpaca / year (state average)
Average highAverage lowPrecipitation
20°0.038°1.355°2.672°4.090°5.3Jan: 3.4 inJanFeb: 2.9 inFebMar: 3.9 inMarApr: 3.6 inAprMay: 4.2 inMayJun: 4.4 inJunJul: 4.6 inJulAug: 4.2 inAugSep: 4.4 inSepOct: 3.5 inOctNov: 3.2 inNovDec: 3.6 inDecJan high: 46°FFeb high: 50°FMar high: 57°FApr high: 68°FMay high: 76°FJun high: 83°FJul high: 87°FAug high: 85°FSep high: 79°FOct high: 69°FNov high: 58°FDec high: 49°FJan low: 27°FFeb low: 29°FMar low: 35°FApr low: 44°FMay low: 53°FJun low: 61°FJul low: 66°FAug low: 64°FSep low: 58°FOct low: 46°FNov low: 36°FDec low: 30°F°Fin

Average of 133 county normals (NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020). Conditions vary a lot within the state — open your county below.

Statewide challenges

  • Summer heat — heat-stress precautions needed in May, Jul–Sep
  • Barber pole worm — long warm-wet parasite season (Apr–Oct)
  • Meningeal worm — white-tailed deer parasite is established in this region
  • Low selenium — regional soils and hay tend to be selenium-deficient

Most alpaca-friendly counties

  1. Floyd County — 77/100
  2. Grayson County — 77/100
  3. Highland County — 77/100
  4. Bland County — 75/100
  5. Tazewell County — 75/100

Most challenging counties

  1. Albemarle County — 65/100
  2. Amelia County — 65/100
  3. Appomattox County — 65/100
  4. Bedford County — 65/100
  5. Brunswick County — 65/100

All 133 counties

Click a column to sort. Temperatures in °F; “worm months” follow Gordon's bioclimatograph for barber pole worm.

CountyPeak highLowest lowDays ≥90°FFrost nightsWorm monthsShearHay balesScore
Accomack County873020577Apr1269
Albemarle County872621887Apr1265
Alexandria city882728777Apr1265
Alleghany County842491077Apr1469
Amelia County892729797Apr1265
Amherst County862615927Apr1269
Appomattox County872720857Apr1265
Arlington County882624807Apr1269
Augusta County842491117Apr1469
Bath County832271167Apr1469
Bedford County862619877Apr1265
Bland County812351166Apr1475
Botetourt County862616927Apr1269
Bristol city852618897Apr1265
Brunswick County892832727Apr1265
Buchanan County8425111007Apr1469
Buckingham County882724847Apr1265
Buena Vista city872620957Apr1265
Campbell County862619877Apr1265
Caroline County892630867Apr1265
Carroll County822461047Apr1473
Charles City County893033597Apr1265
Charlotte County872722827Apr1265
Charlottesville city882625847Apr1265
Chesapeake city883130497Mar1265
Chesterfield County892832737Apr1265
Clarke County8623181067Apr1469
Colonial Heights city902936677Apr1265
Covington city862519997Apr1265
Craig County832481057Apr1469
Culpeper County882524957Apr1265
Cumberland County882628857Apr1265
Danville city892832757Apr1265
Dickenson County8325101017Apr1369
Dinwiddie County892832737Apr1265
Emporia city902937677Apr1265
Essex County892731777Apr1265
Fairfax County882623847Apr1369
Fairfax city872620857Apr1369
Falls Church city872620837Apr1369
Fauquier County872519967Apr1369
Floyd County812431085Apr1477
Fluvanna County882627887Apr1265
Franklin County862719877Apr1265
Franklin city902937657Apr1265
Frederick County8623161137Apr1469
Fredericksburg city892528917Apr1265
Galax city822561057Apr1469
Giles County822461117Apr1469
Gloucester County893029587Apr1265
Goochland County892629897Apr1265
Grayson County802321215Apr1477
Greene County862515997Apr1369
Greensville County892935677Apr1265
Halifax County882726827Apr1265
Hampton city893229437Mar1265
Hanover County892631847Apr1265
Harrisonburg city8624161087Apr1469
Henrico County892833737Apr1265
Henry County882726817Apr1265
Highland County802031365May1477
Hopewell city893034607Apr1265
Isle of Wight County893034557Mar1265
James City County893032577Mar1265
King George County892729787Apr1265
King William County892734787Apr1265
King and Queen County892833767Apr1265
Lancaster County882827677Apr1265
Lee County842613927Apr1269
Lexington city8525131007Apr1469
Loudoun County872420987Apr1369
Louisa County882527947Apr1265
Lunenburg County882826767Apr1265
Lynchburg city872620887Apr1265
Madison County8624151027Apr1369
Manassas Park city882625877Apr1269
Manassas city882626887Apr1265
Martinsville city882727837Apr1265
Mathews County883027577Mar1265
Mecklenburg County892831747Apr1265
Middlesex County882928657Apr1265
Montgomery County842591037Apr1469
Nelson County852614937Apr1269
New Kent County892834707Apr1265
Newport News city893230467Mar1265
Norfolk city883327367Mar1065
Northampton County873121497Mar1269
Northumberland County882827717Apr1265
Norton city812451007Apr1469
Nottoway County882728787Apr1265
Orange County882524957Apr1265
Page County8423111127Apr1469
Patrick County852614887Apr1269
Petersburg city902935687Apr1265
Pittsylvania County872724837Apr1265
Poquoson city883228447Mar1265
Portsmouth city883328367Mar1065
Powhatan County892730837Apr1265
Prince Edward County882724817Apr1265
Prince George County902935627Apr1265
Prince William County882624877Apr1269
Pulaski County842491077Apr1469
Radford city8424111067Apr1469
Rappahannock County8524141057Apr1469
Richmond County892830757Apr1265
Richmond city892833747Apr1265
Roanoke County852615917Apr1269
Roanoke city882724837Apr1265
Rockbridge County8525131007Apr1469
Rockingham County8423111147Apr1469
Russell County822481027Apr1469
Salem city882724857Apr1265
Scott County842614897Apr1265
Shenandoah County8523151157Apr1469
Smyth County822351177Apr1469
Southampton County902936657Apr1265
Spotsylvania County882527957Apr1265
Stafford County882626877Apr1265
Staunton city8524141067Apr1369
Suffolk city893034567Mar1265
Surry County893033587Apr1265
Sussex County902936687Apr1265
Tazewell County812341166Apr1475
Virginia Beach city873323377Mar1069
Warren County8523141087Apr1469
Washington County8425111007Apr1269
Waynesboro city852513987Apr1369
Westmoreland County892729757Apr1265
Williamsburg city893032597Apr1265
Winchester city8623171107Apr1469
Wise County812451037Apr1469
Wythe County822471147Apr1469
York County893130527Mar1265

Typical alpaca care calendar for Virginia

Based on statewide averages — your county page has a calendar tuned to local conditions.

January 46° / 27°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
  • Toenail check and trim.

February 50° / 29°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Book your shearer now — spring calendars fill up fast.
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

March 57° / 35°F

Meningeal worm
  • Run pre-season fecal egg counts so you know each animal's baseline.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • CDT boosters for females due next month; prepare a clean birthing paddock and birthing kit.
  • Spring grass: switch from hay to pasture gradually over 1–2 weeks and monitor body condition.
  • Toenail check and trim.

April 68° / 44°F

ShearingWorm seasonMeningeal wormCria season
  • Shearing month: shear the whole herd, and trim toenails, check teeth and body condition while animals are restrained.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Cria season: check due dates daily, ensure crias nurse within 4 hours, dip navels and weigh crias daily for two weeks.

May 76° / 53°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal wormBreeding
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Breeding window for next year's crias (rebreed females 2–4 weeks after birthing).
  • Toenail check and trim.

June 83° / 61°F

Worm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Warm spells possible — watch for open-mouth breathing in heavy-fleeced or dark animals.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.

July 87° / 66°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Toenail check and trim.

August 85° / 64°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.

September 79° / 58°F

HeatWorm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Heat precautions: shade, airflow, cool fresh water and no handling in the heat of the day.
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Toenail check and trim.

October 69° / 46°F

Worm seasonMeningeal worm
  • Barber pole worm season: fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks, check eyelid color, pick up dung piles twice a week.
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.

November 58° / 36°F

Meningeal wormVitamin D
  • Meningeal worm risk: keep alpacas off wet wooded edges and watch for hind-leg weakness; discuss prevention with your vet.
  • Secure winter hay: about 12 small square bales per alpaca per year here — test a sample before buying.
  • Winter prep: install water heaters, repair shelters and windbreaks, stock bedding.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).
  • Toenail check and trim.

December 49° / 30°F

FrostVitamin D
  • Freezing nights: keep water open and feed extra hay during cold snaps.
  • Vitamin D for crias and juveniles (ask your vet about product and dose).

Key recommendations for Virginia

  • Shearing: April.
  • Best months for crias to be born: Apr (breed in May).
  • Heat precautions: May, Jul–Sep.
  • Barber pole worm season: Apr–Oct — run fecal egg counts every 4–6 weeks in these months.
  • Freezing nights: Dec–Feb — keep water from freezing.
  • Vitamin D for crias: Nov–Feb.
  • Grazing season: Mar–Nov (about 9 months); feed hay the rest of the year.
  • Meningeal worm: Meningeal worm (carried by white-tailed deer) is established in this region and is a leading cause of neurological disease in alpacas. Talk to your vet about a prevention plan for the snail season.
  • Selenium: Soils and hay in this state are often selenium-deficient. Use a camelid mineral formulated for low-selenium areas and blood-test a few animals each year.

Alpaca farms & shops in Virginia

Sheepskin Gifts And Alpaca Too
Raynay Alpaca Farm
Ruffin
Sheepskin Gifts & Alpaca Too
Rainbow Magic Alpaca FarmWebsite
Alpaca International
Annapolis
Landmark Farm Alpacas
Grassy Creek
Fox Wire Farm Alpacas
Toano
USAlpaca Company
MonetaWebsite
Smith Mountain Lake Farm Alpacas
Hardy
Pacabella Farm Alpacas & Boutique
Wirtz
Sacred Acres Alpaca Farm
Double 8 Alpaca RanchWebsite

From OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Listing is not an endorsement.

Frequently asked questions

Can you raise alpacas in Virginia?
Yes. Alpacas are kept successfully in most climates with good management. Virginia scores 65/100 (good) on our alpaca climate comfort scale; the key issues are summer heat, barber pole worm and meningeal worm.
Which part of Virginia is best for alpacas?
By our climate comfort score, the most alpaca-friendly counties are Floyd County, Grayson County and Highland County; the most challenging are Albemarle County, Amelia County and Appomattox County.
When should alpacas be shorn in Virginia?
Plan shearing for April, once nights stay above about 38°F (3°C) but before summer heat builds.
What is the best time for crias to be born in Virginia?
Mild months suit newborn crias best — here that is Apr. For births then, breed females in May (gestation is about 335 days).
How much hay does an alpaca need per year in Virginia?
With roughly 3 months of little or no grazing, plan on about 565 lb (256 kg) — around 12 small square bales — per adult alpaca per year, plus waste.
How hot does it get for alpacas in Virginia?
Heat-stress precautions are needed in May, Jul–Sep. We estimate about 20 days a year above 90°F (32°C).

Neighboring states

MarylandPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaWest VirginiaDelawareDistrict of Columbia

See how these guides are calculated.