We are animal lovers in our family. And the kids especially love wolves. So, they were super happy to find out that I booked a tour to the Lakota Wolf Preserve over Thanksgiving break.
The Lakota Wolf Preserve is a wolf sanctuary in New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap. It’s situated on 10 acres inside a campground and features four packs of wolves, a bobcat, lynx, and foxes.
It’s an informative and fun tour that is perfect for all animal lovers, big or small.
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About the Lakota Wolf Preserve
Lakota Wolf Preserve is the largest natural habitat preserve for wolves, bobcats, lynx, and foxes in the Northeastern U.S.!
It is run by James Stein and Becky Mace., who began the preserve in 1998 and have been raising and caring for their animals ever since.
Their mission has always been to give these animals, all born in captivity and unable to return to the wild, the best life possible.
Booking a Tour
Tour Times
Tours are offered throughout the year. Days vary depending on the season. Tours are offered twice a day, once at 10:30 am (with a 9:30-10:00 am arrival) and 3:00 pm (with a 2:00-2:30 pm arrival).
You cannot visit the wolf sanctuary without booking a tour.
Book Up to Three Months in Advance
Tours to Lakota Wolf Preserve open three months in advance, meaning you can purchase tour tickets for the current month plus the two following months, but not further than that.
The tours are run by the owners, a husband and wife team, and their volunteers, so release dates might be delayed.
Prepare For Your Visit
Location
Lakota Wolf Preserve is located within the Camp Taylor Campground in Columbia, NJ. It’s about two hours from Philadelphia and about 90 minutes from New York City.
If you’re visiting the Poconos, this would be a fun addition since it’s just across the river from East Stroudsburg. It’s also not far from the Delaware Water Gap and some of our favorite hiking trails, like Mount Tammany and Sunfish Pond.
Arrival Time
We had reservations for the 10:30 am tour, meaning we had to arrive at the parking area between 9:30 and 10:00 (per their instructions). This ensures that everyone in attendance can get to the preserve area before the tour starts.
Parking & Shuttle
Parking is available at the entrance of Camp Taylor Campground. Before you park, check in with the volunteers, who will give you a parking pass. There is plenty of parking at the entrance.
The animals are located about a half-mile from the parking area. You can either take the trail or the shuttle. We opted for the shuttle, but walking on a nice day would be fun.
Amenities
There are bathrooms at the campground entrance. I didn’t see any bathrooms or port-a-johns near the animals, so make sure you utilize the bathrooms before you board the shuttle.
What To Wear
The wolf sanctuary is entirely outside in the elements. Dress appropriately for the weather (and maybe even warmer than you think you’ll need). You’ll be outside for about two hours total.
The area around the pens is a mix of gravel and dirt. After rain, it can become muddy. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear that you don’t mind possibly getting dirty.
What to Expect at a Wolf Sanctuary in New Jersey
Visiting the Wolves
At the start of your tour, you’ll be led into the wolf enclosure. Although you are still separated from them by two sets of fencing, the guide promises treats so they come up close.
There are four separate pens with about 2-4 wolves in each pen. The guide shares information about each individual wolf, as well as general information about the species. Our favorite part was hearing them howl together!
All of the wolves in the preserve were either born there (though now the wolves are fixed, so that won’t happen again!) or rescued from another facility. Wolves cannot be taken from or released back into the wild.
The guide noted that you’ll never see a wolf in the wild. They are absolutely terrified of humans and can smell us up to a mile away, so they hide when we’re nearby. This was one of the only opportunities we’ve had to see these beautiful creatures up close! (We’ve seen them at a distance at ZooAmerica in Hershey).
The Lynx, Bobcat, and Foxes
Although Lakota Wolf Preserve is marketed as a wolf sanctuary, they have a few other animals on site.
After visiting the wolves, you’ll walk a short distance to see the lynx, bobcat, and foxes. There is seating nearby. However, many people stand at the fence, and it could be hard to see the animals when seated for that reason.
You’ll be introduced to the lynx and bobcat and learn all about them and their species. They are such fascinating cats.
Next, you’ll get to meet some foxes. One was a little shy during our visit, but the other was happy to show off.
Timing
Each part of the tour lasts about 30-40 minutes. As noted above, there are benches at both the wolf enclosure and by the lynx and bobcat if you need to sit down and rest.
The shuttle doesn’t leave until the end of the tour, but if you need to leave early, you can always walk the half-mile path back to the parking area.
In total, we were there for just over two hours.
Wolf Sanctuary Wrap-Up
Although there are a few different wolf refuges within a short drive of Philadelphia and New York, we’re happy we visited the Lakota Wolf Preserve. It’s obvious how well the animals are cared for and how much James and Becky truly love them.
The experience was informative and fun. And the wolves knew how to put on a good show, especially when they decided to howl for us before the tour even began!
If you are interested in wolves or are just an animal lover, the Lakota Wolf Preserve is perfect for you.
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