Skillman, New Jersey

Hidden Spring Lavender

Lavender fields, farm-made goods, alpaca encounters, reserved walks, and seasonal events at a husband-and-wife-run farm in Somerset County.

Visit the farm website Explore visits and tours

At the farm

A visit in three parts

01
LavenderFields, harvest, and distilling
02
AlpacasHerd visits and reserved walks
03
ShoppeFarm-made lavender and fiber goods

Grown here 15 varieties

Farm: Lavender and alpacas
Peak bloom: Mid-June to mid-July
Alpaca walks: Saturdays by reservation
Public hours: Seasonal; check before travel

Lavender changes the visit

A working crop, not just a summer backdrop

Hidden Spring grows 15 varieties of lavender for bouquets, dried buds, essential oil, and culinary uses. The first fields were planted nearly two decades ago, and lavender now shapes the farm's products as much as it shapes the landscape.

Bloom usually runs from mid-June to mid-July, with English and French varieties creating different waves of color. Visitors may enjoy and photograph the fields during public hours, but Hidden Spring is not a U-pick operation. The farm cuts its own stems and may offer fresh bundles when harvest timing allows.

The crop continues indoors after cutting. Oil lavender is distilled promptly, while other stems are bundled and dried. July visitors may be able to watch the distilling process that supplies the essential oil used in the farm's handmade products.

Alpacas bring another rhythm to the property. Guests can see the herd during ordinary farm hours or reserve a Saturday alpaca walk. If a different date or animal-focused format suits your plans better, compare other alpacas around New Jersey.

Plan around your interest

Four sides of Hidden Spring

Use the tabs to separate a casual public visit from activities that require a reservation or seasonal timing.

Early-summer color

Walk beside the bloom and see how lavender is used.

The fields are generally at their best from mid-June to mid-July. Guests can view and photograph the lavender during posted hours. Cutting is done by the farm rather than visitors, and bundle availability depends on the harvest.

Bloom: Mid-June to mid-July
Picking: No U-pick
July: Distilling may be visible

Weather matters

Bloom conditions can change quickly from week to week.

Check the farm update

Reserved animal time

Walk an alpaca around the farm property.

Saturday walks are offered throughout the year by reservation. Participants receive handling guidance and a short introduction before spending time with one of the alpacas. Current age, timing, weather, and cancellation rules should be reviewed before booking.

Day: Saturday
Access: Reservation required
Season: Offered year-round

Book first

A normal farm visit does not automatically include an alpaca walk.

Find walk reservations

Ordinary public hours

See the farm without turning the day into a scheduled tour.

Visitors may come during posted public hours to see the lavender, spend time near the alpacas, and visit the shoppe. General admission is normally free, with donations appreciated, but special event days may carry their own admission or reservation requirements.

Entry: Normally free
Hours: Change seasonally
Pets: Not permitted

Before driving

Check current hours, closures, and special-event notices.

Review visitor information

Made on the farm

Shop lavender goods and warm alpaca products.

The shoppe carries bath, body, home, aromatherapy, culinary, and gift items made with lavender grown and distilled at Hidden Spring. Alpaca-fiber pieces add a second farm-grown story to the shelves.

Lavender: Farm-grown and distilled
Gifts: Handmade and customizable
Cards: $10 minimum noted

Signature item

Buena Bears are handmade soft bears filled with Buena Vista lavender.

Visit the online shop

More than peak bloom

Seasonal reasons to return

The farm remains active beyond lavender season, while particular experiences appear only at certain times or by arrangement.

July processWatch lavender become essential oil

Harvested oil lavender is distilled promptly. When farm activity allows, visitors can see how the crop moves from cut stems into the essential oil used in Hidden Spring products.

Private bookingUse the fields for professional photographs or painting

Private professional sessions are available only by reservation. Contact the farm for current availability, pricing, and rules for working around the crop and animals.

Farm calendarLook for shearing, painting, and special-event days

The schedule may include alpaca-related programs, farm celebrations, and ticketed activities. Event requirements vary and should be confirmed through the current farm calendar.

The shoppe

Lavender travels home in many forms

Hidden Spring uses its own lavender and pure essential oil in lotions, creams, soaps, sachets, pillows, wreaths, dried bundles, aromatherapy products, culinary items, and gift baskets. Custom gifts for showers, weddings, birthdays, and other occasions can be discussed with the farm.

The alpaca side of the farm appears in soft fiber goods suited to cooler weather, giving the shop a reason to remain useful long after the fields have finished blooming.

Browse current farm products

Shopping note

Product selection and fresh lavender availability change through the season.

Check before visiting

Practical details

Before you make the drive

01
Verify public hours
The schedule changes during the year and may also be affected by closures or special events.
02
Reserve the extras
Alpaca walks and private professional photo sessions require advance arrangements.
03
Time lavender expectations
Bloom typically falls between mid-June and mid-July, but weather controls the exact display. U-pick is not available.
04
Leave pets at home
Visitor pets are not allowed on the property.

Continue exploring

Hidden Spring works particularly well when flowers, shopping, and animal time all belong in the same outing. For trips built around a different kind of herd experience, browse the national alpaca directory.

Contact the farm