About Us
Arizona Backcountry Llamas is a family-owned and operated business.
Arizona Backcountry Llamas is a family-owned and operated business. We, Janice and Chris Dunn, are both Arizona natives who have spent decades exploring Arizona and the west and have been packing with llamas for 25 years.
In the 1990’s we owned a hunting guide service and also provided guided llama pack trips. Now we are ready to return to sharing our love of the outdoors with anyone who is interested in exploring and learning more about the natural and cultural history of Arizona.
The Dunn Family in 2001
Janice Dunn - Head Llama Mama
I was only three years old when my parents took my family on our first camping trip. I am so thankful to my mother and father for raising me in the outdoors hiking, fishing, backpacking and for teaching me to be a good steward of the land.
My husband Chris and I picked up our first llamas about 25 years ago when we realized that our knees were not able to carry the big heavy backpacks that we lugged around on our adventures. So, we bought a couple llamas and a few weeks later were on a llama pack trip loving the fact that these friendly fuzzy friends were easily carrying all of our gear.
Then we had two children and the llamas allowed us to continue exploring the wildlands. Both girls went on their first wilderness llama pack trips at about one month old and have spent their lives exploring along-side us. We have raised our two girls with the same philosophy that my parents instilled in me.
As a fourth grade teacher I had the opportunity to share my love of nature as well as Arizona history with all of my students. Now, after 30 years of teaching, I have retired and can totally devote my time to our llama business.
I truly enjoy sharing our love of Arizona’s natural and cultural history with others and enrich the experience with our friendly llamas.
Chris Dunn - Head Llama Wrangler
I absolutely love exploring wild places and especially in my home state of Arizona. I’ve pursued and mastered about any activity that gets me outdoors. I traded a promising career in molecular biology research for a life outside and have no regrets.
Throughout my life I’ve become an accomplished rock climber, hunter, mountain biker, backpacker, fly fisherman, river runner, caver, gold prospector, meteorite hunter and of course, llama packer. My numerous interests quickly became passions and took me to places I would have otherwise never experienced. In addition, I have worked as an endangered species biologist, environmental consultant, and as a hunting guide.
After 22 years, I have just retired from my position as a professor of biology at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. My career as a college professor enabled me to share my enthusiasm for science and nature with thousands of students and returning to the guiding business is a great way to continue to share with folks who want to explore the wildlands of our diverse state.
Llamas make the adventure easier and add a whole new dimension to hiking in our mountains and deserts.