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Kroschel Films Wildlife Center Reviews
4.8
1 of 24 Best Attractions in Haines
Reviews
There is no way to properly describe this. It's a vety eclectic wildlife refuge, and was just a lot of fun. I was a little hesitant when I booked it, but so glad I did.
The visit that my wife and I had to the wildlife center was a unique, unforgettable experience. Steve has such an incredible passion for the work that he is doing. He interacted with the animals so comfortably and maximized our opportunity to have personal contact with them too. We go to hand feed two moose calves and caribou! Safety, however, was always the priority.
We stayed two days/nights in the peaceful forest setting. The accommodation in the Apollo building was rustic but spacious. Throughout the booking process and visit Steve was reliable, enthusiastic, flexible and generous...dedicated to making our visit as enjoyable as possible. It was a once in a lifetime chance to be close to northern wildlife species such as a wolverine, pine marten, mink and snowy owl. Steve has a wealth of animal knowledge and is eager to share it. We learned a lot!
A very informative and interesting tour in a relaxed peaceful environment. It was awesome to see so many wild animals in their natural environment cared for by two very caring and funny guys.
What a wonderfully unexpected treat! Full of entertainment, education and a real soul-lifting experience.
What a wild experience in Alaska! Steve and Patrick are very clearly passionate about animal conservation. This was informative, fun, and definitely unique. Where else can you take a selfie with a moose, feed caribou, and pet a porcupine?!?
Steve and Mr. Seward made my visit a truly memorable experience. The innovation that goes into every part of the wildlife center brings a smile to your face and makes you feel like you are part of the animal's home. For anyone who loves animals -- this is a must see tour!
Thank you Steve and Mr. Seward
Steve goes above and beyond for his guests. He makes sure everything is inclusive and interactive. He makes sure everyone has a personal interaction, and it is the most wonderful, and my favorite, excursion from the Alaskan glacier cruise I took. He is a wonderful character and I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to go. You can tell just how much he loves the animals in his care, as well as how much they love him. It’s a true and genuine bond.
No where will you find two guys more passionate about their environment, animals and how human behavior has impacted the animal kingdom. So knowledgeable, kind and funny. I will be forever changed by my experience and more thoughtful about how my actions affect the innocent animals on this planet.
Not many animals, very little facts about the animals was given. Very run down. The animal habitat weren’t in the worst conditions I have ever seen. The animal enclosures did not seem efficient in size, had minks living in a small aquarium for example. The whole place is more like a trash heap with animals thrown in rather than a wildlife center. He does seem to like the animals so i give him that at least but they need better habitats. How PETA has not stepped in is beyond me. Very much a horrible overpriced tourist trap.
I had the time of my life. What a wonderful experience! This was may favorite excursion during a 12 day Alaska Land and Sea vacation.
My husband and I were on a cruise, and we were nervous to spend the money on this activity. It was definitely worth it if you're a fan of furry animals. We got to see up close (and even pet some) a fox, a bear, a moose, reindeer, a weasel, a marten, a porcupine, and several other animals. The man who runs it, Steve, is funny and made the tour entertaining, as did the man with the beard who trains birds and always had one perched on his arm. It was very informative and super super fun. It was raining when we went and since the whole thing is outside, I would recommend wearing water resistant clothing and especially waterproof shoes. The ride there and back is about an hour each way with no cell service, so bring a book.
My biggest critique would be that this tour and facility are not designed for young children. It is guided to and from station-to-station and animal-to-animal and you are not “free to roam” as you would be at your typical wildlife facility. That’s not to say that this is “your typical wildlife facility,” but we did miss a majority of the tour due to this as our kids refused to stand in one spot for a length of time so we tended to be forced to hang at the back of the pack so as to not disturb the rest of the group. Any attendees with young children also were required to stand down the hill for certain portions, such as the Grizzly Bear, for the safety of everyone (which is understandable, but again, we did feel like we missed most of the tour).
All in all would have been a more enjoyable experience with older children or just without - not the facility’s fault, but I’d recommend advertising that suggestion.
That said, this is a really cool way to experience a remote part of Alaska (including a pretty darn cool ferry ride from Skagway-Haines and a really cool history lesson on the bus ride to and from the fjord).
The Kroschel team are clearly very passionate about and have dedicated their lives to Alaska and its precious nature and wildlife. They have my respect and we would probably thoroughly enjoy hanging with these guys under different circumstances, lol.
When my family and I arrived at the Kroschel Wildlife Center, we were a bit hesitant as first impressions were not hopeful. Then the tour began and before I knew it, I had goose bumps on my skin as I joined our tour in making a wolf howl, petted a porcupine, fed a reindeer, and kissed a moose. Yes, I kissed a moose and I'd do it again. I don't even remember her name but I remember her putting her head on my shoulder and giving me a nuzzle. Give yourself a unforgettable treat and make the short drive to where you can observe and pet some amazing rescued animals, go a step back closer to nature and our wild side and support this incredible animal sanctuary. Your guides are just as entertaining as they are informative.
I visited Kroschels today from a ship shore excursion and loved it !!
Not only is it a great learning experience but you get to have contact with the animals. Raindeer feeding and bottle feeding young. Moose cuddles and so on.
It takes about 45 minutes from skagway by ferry to haines and then a further 40 minutes drive to the wildlife center. They clearly have a love for animals and the environment.
We visited the Kroschel Wildlife Center in Haines AK. We met Steve and some of his staff. We learned so much about the wildlife,and the good work being done at the center. Also met and petted some of the animals.
We had the best time visiting this wonderful place 11 years ago. We are finally going back next month in July 2021. I cannot wait to experience this again with family! Steve is amazing and makes everyone feel welcomed. He deeply cares for all the animals there and we are excited to see them all again.
If you love animals, and if you want some amazing photographic opportunities, do not miss this excursion. There is no other opportunity I would ever have to get my picture taken with a moose, pet a porcupine and a mink, and see so many animals up close and personal- and get some unbelievable pictures! Yes - it takes a while to get there- but to our family, it was worth it! My daughter loved to see the wolf and the fox too. We saw a Kodiak bear blowing bubbles during her bath! We saw a beautiful pine martin, caribou, lynx and even a wolverine! Steve is quirky and passionate about the animals and he makes sure that everyone is safe and also able to get great pictures. This is not a zoo, so sometimes animals do not cooperate. Nothing is guaranteed - which is why we were so grateful that we had so many great photo opportunities and experiences with the wildlife.
Bring non- DEET mosquito repellent. We used lemon eucalyptus oil. While there were plenty of bugs, none of us even got one bite! Wear good hiking shoes because there are one or two slightly steep hills. However, even one guest with a cane was navigating it, so it wasn’t too bad. It was not raining the day we were there so I am not sure if that would be a factor or not.
We were on the Royal Princess and took this excursion from Skagway. If you have children, bring snacks for the ferry/bus rides. Even though it took up a bulk of the day, we still had plenty of time to see the town of Skagway in the morning. And while we also saw some great wildlife in Denali, there was nothing like seeing these animals up close. Some enclosures had small holes that could be opened up to insert a camera lens for fence-free photography (but not for the bear, obviously). For other animals, Steve would hold them and we could get great pictures.
I highly recommend this tour- thank you so much to Steve!
You will see many animals in a natural habitat, some that are rare to see at all. When we were there they had a new baby moose that was 2 weeks old being bottle fed.... not something you get to see often at all! Lot's of photo opportunities, definitely a great way to spend a day.
We had such a wonderful experience on our first visit that we went back again to share it with friends on another cruise. We do not understand any bad reviews. Steve is a great host and is passionate about life and his wildlife family.
I had the pleasure of going to the Wildlife Center in the off season during the Bald Eagle Festival. It was a private tour so we got the full one royal treatment from Steve and Rocky. The wildlife is incredible and Steve is an amazing man. Many of these animals would have been destroyed had Steve not rescued them.He is a bit quirky BUT an amazing showman. I highly recommend this to anyone. Oh and be prepared to drive about 30 miles from Haines to get there!
This was an amazing experience! Steve walked us through the property, interacting with each animal, explaining how these animals came into his care and there were a lot of animals that we all got to interact with. It was truly amazing! I learned a lot about the animals that we saw and I was able to pet a wolverine. Steve and his staff were so engaging and you could tell that these animals were cared for and there is a bond between Steve and his animals. I highly recommend visiting! The don't make a rating high enough to let people know how fantastic the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge truly is. I definitely want to go back
Skip this...especially for the price.... approx 1.5 hrs via boat and bus there and 1.5 hrs back...2 hrs with animals....surrealistic experience. Recommend eagle preserve float trip instead offered by Princess. Disappointed Animal planet has lent it name to this venture! If you have trouble climbing hills....this is not for you.
We were there in August 2022 and enjoyed seeing all the animals along with getting to interact with some like the baby reindeer, baby mooses, a beautiful white owl, a porcupine ! There was young wolves, a bear named Kitty, a mink and others that we saw up close and personnel! The people running the refuge were loving and experienced at handling and caring for these animals! It was a great experience!
I took my great nephew and 3 great nieces, ages 11, 11, 6 and 7 to see the most unique and wonderful environment for animals that most people will not see up close in their lifetime. Steve has created this special wildlife center for all to enjoy and learn how animals should be treated and cared for. Plus, one can interact with some of the animals by feeding them special branches and get up close to pet them, like Santa's Reindeer's! You also learn how one man, Steve Kroschel, interacts on a very personal and yet safe way with the animals. Highly recommend any one to see and experiece the Kroschel Wildlife Center.
We had a great and very informative ride to the center. The animals were well cared for and the photo opportunities would have been better if there were less people. The people at the front of the group never wanted to move to give others the opportunity to get pictures until it was time to move on to the next animal Hope they go back to the smaller groups, because it is a fun place and very informative. Karen, the moose was not cooperating that day so my daughter did not get to kiss her, but did get a kiss from the baby caribou. This tour was booked thru a cruise line.
Kids enjoyed seeing the cool animals up close. The 9:45 am tour was a bit early for us on that particular day as it takes some time to get their from town (plus there’s road construction that also causes delays). With kids it can be hard to get out the door fast, plus we got lost as the GPS didn’t work when you get into the mountains (take that into account and don’t miss the turn to Mosquito Lake like we did). But the tour was sweet as they showed us the animals we missed at the beginning. saw animals we have never seen before and got to pet many. A very nice experience and important for kids and adults to get back to nature in my view (and this is a nice way to be with animals in nature).
The experience was very special, different, and full of unexpected surprises from beginning to end. I don't want to spoil it for you, but take it from the locals, there's nothing like it. Also, as you drive through the "Valley of the Eagles", keep your eyes on the trees and the flats, you will see bald eagles everywhere. The place is magical all around...
Many thanks to Steve for his welcoming hospitality and Alaskan perspective while visiting Alaska Heliskiing. The Kroschel Wildlife Center was an amazing place to stay and I look forward to visiting again soon :) I have to say, I came to ski the mountains but I will remember staying here every bit as much. thanks again :) Dave - NJ
This was the first tour we booked 8 months before our Alaskan cruise, and it was truly the highlight of our trip. Cannot recommend this amazing place enough. Mario Benassi is so knowledgeable about everything wildlife and Steve Kroschel has a way with animals, that is beyond words. Loved this tour!!
This was the most AMAZING place I've ever been too. Absolutely loved it!! Steve is so passionate about what he does. He's the "Willy Wonka" of Alaska!!
If you get the chance to go visit go. Steve loves what he does and is a lot of fun. Not a fancy animal experience trying just to make money but a true wildlife sanctuary for both the animals and Steve. Must also complement the bus driver Zimba for a fun and informative 40 min bus ride to the wildlife centre.
Very educational, lots of information about the animals, how they were trained. Fun time for any age. Would certainly recommend!
Looking for “perfect” wildlife pictures? You may or may not get them. Some will be put off by Steve Kroschell’s somewhat eccentric persona. Set that aside. This is a wildlife center run by someone who truly cares about these animals. I have worked for many years in animal rescue, and I know when an animal is in stress. These creatures are happy and unstressed. Steve carefully controls the animals exposure to humans, balancing the animal’s needs to those of his visitors. There is a simple way to get the most out of your visit, simply let Steve know. He’s not a mind reader. If you hang back and are timid, you might miss some wonderful opportunities. Speak up and you will probably experience something amazing. My husband wanted some good bear pictures, Steve positioned him where he would get the best shots of the bear as it ran towards a delicious meal of porridge. I was more interested in the reindeer, and his assistant made sure I got plenty of interaction. Make sure you touch the fox’s tail for good luck! I did, and my seven day cruise from Vancouver to Seward had NO rain and beautiful skies.
Oh, when Steve says stay back from the porcupine, do it. They have an amazing spray range.
I definitely will be back, I might even save up for a private tour.
Easily 6 out of 5 stars, my wife and I loved this excursion. Steve is extremely informative, you can tell he has a love for the animals (and vice versa), and he is very funny on top of all of that. We were laughing from start to finish. It is a ways from the cruise ship terminal, but completely worth the ride. We’ve cruised a lot and said right after that it wasn’t our favorite excursion of this cruise, it was our favorite excursion of all time from all cruises we’ve taken. If we’re lucky enough to go back to Alaska we will do this excursion again - best of luck to Steve and the team, and thank you for such a great and memorable time!!
Highly recommended, Id say Once in a lifetime experience with the variety of animals, especially if you are from a different part of the world and how close you get to the animals and possibly pet some of them. I mean petting an animal like a porcupine and wolf wasn't something i expected to do anytime soon. He has such a close relationships with some of the most dangerous and beautiful animals in the world.
Tip - BRING FOOD or Put that cruise line to use and order some room service sandwiches even wrapped up for you ready early in the morning (they got any kind of sandwich you want all free of charge) for a real lunch because its a long day.
Almost didn't go on this tour but SOOOOOO glad we did. Whenever we speak to our friends about our Alaskan experience we start with the highlight, Kroschel's sanctuary. There is a palpable love shown for these orphaned animals and a concern for their well being. Being able to interact with some of the animals and actually seeing them up close is an amazing experience which I would recommend to everyone visiting Skagway.
Had no idea what to expect on this excursion. Total surprise and one of the best we’ve done. After a bit of a disappointment in Denali because of the weather we got to see rescued animals up close and personal; Bear, Caribou, Fox, moose, wolverines, etc. Steve and Mario were great and super informative. It was awesome. Well worth it. Highly recommend!!!!
This was a cruise excursion off the Coral Princess Cruise. Ferry ride and bus trip to get to the location took up most of the excursion time. Mario was our main guide and was clearly passionate about the animals and his role. Our group was about 36 people and in my view too many, as this significantly limited time to get close and interact which was a key draw card. There were also some smaller kids on our tour that tended to monopolise opportunities to get close as well with their natural curiosity. We needed to hang back and try to get our turn before being moved on to the next animal. Not as many animals as I expected, and by the time everyone got through getting close, it felt a bit rushed and therefore detracted from the value for money feel. Unique place and worth a visit - but ideally with a group of less than say 20 people so you can actually get a proper opportunity to take in the experience without worrying about jostling with loads of others for a decent photo and interaction.
Absolutely LOVED our visit! If you love animals, this is a definite must see!! From the unique, eclectic setting to Kroschel's antics, we were completely mesmerized.
This was the highlight of our 10 Day Alaskan vacation for my 17 year old! It was a small group & Rachel, our bus driver had many interesting tales for us. Steve & staff are so friendly!! They interacted with everyone in our group like we were friends. From feeding the adorable bull moose calves to being able to touch a porvupine to seeing a live wolverine, this wildlife refuge is a MUST SEE for any animal lover.
My July trip to KFWC was the highlight of my July trip to Alaska. The guided tour was delightful, and I learned so much. I use trekking poles for balance when I walk and found I could negotiate the walking tour better than I anticipated. It was an unforgettable experience. I kissed a moose!!!!!!
This was the best excursion of our entire 19 day Holland-American land/cruise trip. We love animals and if you do too, then this “show” won’t disappoint. We bought our tickets online directly from them, not on the cruise ship, and had a rental car reserved for when we docked at Haines. This way we had all day to drive around and look at other things; and it saved some money in lieu of multiple booked excursions from the ship. This 2 hour attraction features about 18 rescue animals that you can get very close to, ie, kiss a moose (if you’re so inclined), or gently stroke a porcupine. A guide leads you around the preserve explaining the various animals. Our guide was Steve Kroschel himself whose energy was worth the $50 ticket alone. He clearly loves what he’s doing. The animals don’t “perform” so don’t expect that. The only exception might be the timber wolf who started to howl after we were all told to howl first.
Booked this tour through a cruise, based on the brochure description - which was all about the animals. The tour was more about the individuals than the animals - great opportunity to educate and discuss conservation; animal habitat; how the animals ended up at the centre; what the centres aims where etc etc. None of this was discussed, whereas time was spent discussing the owners change in direction from animal documentaries to “humanitarian” ones (which included irresponsible and unproven claims of cures of multiple illnesses - inc autism and paraplegia - through “grounding”).
The “narrated” bus tour to the centre consisted of the driver just randomly talking the whole time.
In hindsight, wish we had booked a whale watching tour.
Stepping onto the grounds of Kroshel Films Wildlife Center, we were met with a FORCE of AWESOMENESS. Every moment captivated and thrilled us... from kissing a moose to petting a porcupine and arctic fox. We laughed, jumped and eagerly awaited each new sight. True to the heart of Alaska, the wild MET US in such an intimate and thrilling way during our time there. Surprising additions to the day were new concepts about grounding and healing that we had rarely given much thought to previous to our trip. Hands down, every member of our family felt this part of our Alaskan adventure was the best. THANK YOU to Steve, Rihanna, Mr. Seward (with the natural citronella oil that kept every mosquito off of us!) and little Juniper for making our dream vacation a real thrill. We left wanting to come back again and again... and maybe live there. ;)
I can’t believe all the negative reviews! Steve and crew were all amazing back in 2010. I can’t imagine it being any different. My favorite part about his sanctuary was that it was low key and focused highly on making a better home for his rescued wild animals. Is the sanctuary as massive as a zoo? No. But that’s why it’s so amazing. It’s real. The relationship Steve has with his rescues is amazing and unlike any zookeeper. This trip was hands down one of the best experiences of the cruise we took. So if your looking for a clean zoo like atmosphere this trip is not for you. If your willing to get your feet cold and wet and experience a real group of people in the wilderness of Alaska simply doing their best to make a home for animals in need, then please visit Steve! Some of that money your paying really does go to Steve to help feed and shelter these animals. It’s not cheap. Help him out and have a blast doing it.
I just thought I was seeing some orphaned animals. I did expect to be so entertained and educated by Steve and Mario. It was crazy the things they did, especially with the Wolverine and the weasels. It was so much fun getting to be up close to animals you would never get a chance to see anywhere else. The long bus ride was also interesting because you get to see what the valley looks like and you drive by the bald eagle reserve area.
Steve is compared to the Dr Doolittle of Haines by the locals, he is definitely eccentric, but his good heart shows all over. And he does communicate with his animals super well. My 9 years old grand granddaughter was totally mesmerized by what he is doing and he dealt with her curiosity so very kindly! I am seriously thinking of spending a week with her and her dad there for her next birthday May 2023.
Okay, so the bus ride and ferry aren’t that much fun... but there is a lot to see, you just have to do your part and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
The actual tour was fun, educational, and super quirky! You don’t have to pet, but you occasionally have the opportunity to.
The grounds aren’t the best for mobility challenged individuals, but they do try to break it up into manageable sections.
Lastly, wear long sleeves! The mosquitos are no joke.
Great group of people, great family, and great animals (seriously). This tour was worth every penny!
We booked this excursion during our recent cruise through Alaska. We had anticipated it being a little nature preserve with a few critters and some stuff to ooh-and-ahh at from a distance. Little did we know that it was going to be an afternoon we will never forget!
When we first arrived at the compound, we were a little apprehensive as to what we were getting into. We were greeted by a crazy man, who introduced himself as Steve and began to give a run down of himself and the wildlife center. He then ushered us to the first critter on the tour and we were instantly excited about what lay ahead. The rest of the tour was incredible, with Steve continually telling us all "Should be safe!" as he stepped into the cages with the animals.
I won't spoil anything for you, but we got to see and interact with creatures I didn't even think we would be able to get that close to. Steve's passion and knowledge of all these animals is incredible, and he keeps you engaged while he educates you on each animal in the center. Be sure you bring a camera, because you will see some wild stuff.
This is an absolute must-do if you are in the Haines area, and is absolutely one of the best excursions we've done on a cruise line before. There is about a half-hour or so bus ride to and from the center, but the scenery is beautiful and the bus driver is knowledgeable about the area. But don't let that discourage you, it's worth the trip!
My wife and I went to Kroschel as one of our excursions on our Alaskan cruise and hands down it was by far our favorite experience of the whole trip. Steve and Mario are hilarious, knowledgeable, informative, outgoing, and have a very passionate relationship with all of the creatures in their care. They are very kind and giving and make you feel very welcomed to their wildlife refuge. Not only do you get to see some very amazing animals up close and personal but you also get to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. My wife and I got to pet a wolverine, pet a red fox, pet a baby caribou, kiss a moose (let it eat a carrot out of your mouth), and feed reindeer. They also have a little shop of souvenirs that are made by them which is not only a fun way to remember the experiences we had but is also a great way to contribute to the continuing care of the spectacular animals in the refuge. We will never forget the amazing experience we had here and if we are ever back in Alaska we will definitely prioritize visiting Kroschel again.
Fun and educational. The owner and staff are wonderful in making sure that everyone has a chance to have an up close view of the animals. The rescued animals are seemed to be in great condition - obviously well looked after. There is a lot of information presented on the animals and how to help conserve the ones in the wild. A truly not to be missed experience. Please note that visitation is by appointment only - call in advance if you have not booked this through a cruise line excursion or other group tour.
I was promised moose kissing and Steve didn't let me down. Steve and his staff are wonderful and obviously care very deeply about the animals in their care and put a lot of thought and energy into their tours. It's a fun, funny, and exciting experience.
Our time with Steve and Patrick at the Kroschel Wildlife Reserve will stay with us for a lifetime. The energy Steve brings and the way he personalises the experience for all who visit is truly exceptional. The work being done at the Center to care for precious wildlife while educating all who visit is incredible. THANK YOU Steve and Patrick for a day we will never forget. We have travelled all over the world and it was one of the most authentic, fun and memorable travel experiences we have ever had.
We did this as an excursion on our Alaska cruise and weren't disappointed. Very informative, lots of laughs and lots of animals that are well looked after by very caring people. Steve even brought out a wolverine! Highly recommended!
We came in to Haines on the Holland America and this was offered as a port adventure.
We weren't sure about it but it sounded different! Boy was it ever! I loved it! As soon as you got off the bus, Mr. Seward gave you bug spray and then off you go! Understand there are paths, many paths and its dirt. So walking is mostly up, too. But the animals, the love and the care are unbelievable!
We were so glad we did this! I kissed a moose, I fed caribou, and I saw a most beautiful porcupine.
This is great! He has worked with Disney and was waiting for the Kratt Brothers visit.
I cannot recommend this enough!!! I hope we get to take our grandsons to this sometime!
This was the highlight of our trip to Haines. My husband being a photographer loved it and we appreciated so much that Steve is providing sanctuary for so many magnificent animals. This is not a zoo. We have traveled alot and this place is right near the top for things to see. Thank you Steve and Mario.
We had the best time at Steve's rescue reserve! We loved learning about all the animals and the interaction with them. This was the best excursions that we have been on. Highly recommend!
Steve is very enthusiastic and entertaining as he introduces you to his "friends" at the wildlife center. You will see animals you would never see in the wild. It's fabulous. A definite must if you are in the Haines area.
Best thing we did in Alaska! We got to see wildlife up close and personal and listening to Steve Kroeschel was an adventure itself
This was both entertaining and informative and offered a very closeup experience with animals found in Alaska that we would not have seen otherwise. Get up close to falcon, wolf, lynx, grizzly, moose, reindeer, weasel, porcupine, and more. Once there you will walk on uphill and downhill unpaved paths. They do have a restroom available.
From the moment Steve opened the gate his passion exuded, his energy overwhelmed, and his engagement with our group brought sheer joy. We were in awe for several hours at his relationship with the wild -- the animals and the earth. It was so impressive to howl with the wolf, pet the porcupine and the wolverine and kiss the moose -- things we would have NEVER been able to do in any other setting, nor would we have had the courage to do without his experienced guidance and education. We thoroughly enjoyed this event and it is one that travelers should not miss!
This is a must do!!!! Where else can you see. Red Tail Hawk, Wolf, Wolverine, Moose, Caribou, Porcupine and a Bear! Steve and his team were amazing hosts and we felt like we had walked into their backyard. Steve is amazing with his Wolf and his Wolverine. Don’t forget to kiss the Moose!!!!!
There were 8 in our group on a bus to the wildlife center. About 30/40 minute bus ride each way to and back. Not sure what we expected, three knowledgeable people talking at the same time telling you adventures and experiences they have had with these animals. This is not a zoo but someone's enclosures that you get to visit. Wild animals for sure but most you can touch with the tour leader's guidance.
Steve, Mario, and their staff really love their animals and it shows! They are passionate about animals and animal rights. My children, ages 11 and 10, loved the tour and thought it was one of the most memorable parts of the trip. We booked directly through Norwegian Cruise Lines for our tour. The trip is lengthy given that there is a ferry ride (40 minutes) and a bus ride (30 minutes) each way required to get there. Still, it is worth it!
This was an interesting experience. The guys here (steve and... mario?) are nice guys. A little odd but I guess that comes with the territory as they say. If you are an animal lover you will like this. It is about 50-60 dollars (American) per person.
You and your kids will never get to pet a Wolverine in your lifetime let alone actually see one in the wild.
Here you may.
We did a cruise around Alaska. Hands down the best part of the whole trip.
Steve and his crew are good human beings bringing native predators at a safe arms length away.
Thank you guys for what you do. Highly recommend.
Raw nature can’t be beat.
Steve and his staff do a phenomenal job showcasing all of his animals at the Wildlife center. They were extremely entertaining and knowledgable about the animals. Not everyday you get to kiss a moose named Karen. The drivers name is Zimba. He is also knowledgeable about the area leading up to the Wildlife center. This is a must see adventure. You will love every minute of it.
Our excursion started with a very knowledgeable bus driver. The center itself was awesome. Lots of information. Steve and Mario were great!!
Must make reservations for visit. So glad we went! Was like a hands on class regarding the wildlife exhibited and it was exceptional! Learned so much and the treatment of the animals was almost like having them in the wild. Guide was the best! The photographer associated with the organization. Would take tour again if in the area!
My wife and I visited this during an excursion from our cruise ship. It seems the most popular excursion in Skagway is to ride the train however we are huge animal lovers and wanted the opportunity to see some native to Alaska and a refuge for them seemed interesting .
The trip from Skagway included a ferry trip to Haines (we were lucky enough to see dozens of sea lions on a rock on the way) followed by a bus ride through Haines with a very nice "salt of the earth" gentleman named Duck who brought us to Steve's place .
Super unique person Steve is . He is a showman , he cares for the animals , he gives everyone an opportunity to get great photos , and we also loved his assistant Patrick who was with the tour throughout. Honestly if these two had a television show about the refuge it would be a hit .
Most importantly the animals are well taken care of and happy. This is not a "Tiger King" situation. When Steve and Patrick walk by the enclosures the animals go crazy because they love them so much. They all are nice and fat and happy and my wife and I are animal people and we're so happy that these rescued creatures have such a great life .
We got to pet a moose , howl with a wolf , and feed a Reindeer among other things. Overall it was a great experience , and considering we got a ferry ride as well as a bus ride we considered it a value . If you don't love animals you will probably choose something else , but if you are like me and my wife this was the perfect experience and we smiled and laughed the whole time .
We visited on the Disney wonder with my family of two adults and three kids, aged 7 m, 3 y and 5y. Disney did not offer a port adventure to this center so we organized it on our own. Steve was very helpful in setting up a rental car and even providing car seats for us. We joined in on another group tour and it was excellent. The kids loved feeding the moose and reindeer and petting the porcupine. Definitely a must do activity in Haines.
This was a great afternoon .. we got to meet or see up close . A wold, lynx, Wolverine, baby moose, reindeer, brown bear ermine ... can I go on? Yes! Even a porcupine! Steve was very entertaining- engaging the entire group... this is not just another sit on the bus tour with a naturalist talking - but an educational entertaining experience! Thanks from the entire family,
If I could, would give this a 10 star review. Steve has such energy and really loves these animals. You can kiss a moose, touch a porcupine and a mink. Feed reindeer. Howl with a wolf. And see all kinds of animals up close and personal. Take lots of pictures. The animals are really happy and love to show off for the guests. This is a must see. Highly recommend for everyone.
Steve's interaction with the animals and his ability to work with them is amazing to watch. Well worth seeing.
Really enjoyed this excursion from our bus driver to the way in which Steve, Mario and families educated us on their animals in such detail. I would love to have all that knowledge.
Personal highlight was chatting about Kitty the ... with Rocky S toward the end. Such a nice man too.
Definitely some steep hills but very doable and no one rushed us.
We spent three weeks all over Alaska and have to say BEST THING EVER!!!! These guys are absolutely wonderful, quirky, kooky and so much fun. Our group ranged from 8 to 80 and everyone agreed that this was the best, most memorable part of the entire trip. All of the animals that you wanted to see while in Alaska in one place, in a close and private setting so you can really get a feeling for the animals and have time to take photos, engage and immerse yourself in the experience. A MUST DO!
We have just returned from a cruise to Alaska and the highlight was visiting Steve Kroshcel at his nature reserve. His passion and commitment to his animals is awe inspiring.
Holland American listed the Wild Life Center. We called the Center to inquire about level of activity. FYI- the Center has many benches along the trail, if you want to stop for a rest you will always be accompanied by a guide. Hand rails are installed on the steep areas.
We had sunshine. Wear sneakers or hiking boots. Entire visit was outside walking on well maintained forest trails.The restrooms are acceptable
A great stop on our life's journey.
Our bus driver to the center was very informative. We saw Eagles and Salmon
I will tell friends to visit this fabulous place.
You can get up close and interact with some of the animals. This is an informative and very entertaining experience. The founder Steve Kroschel is so enthusiastic and funny we had a blast. The animals are beautiful and well taken care of. I got to play with a baby caribou, kiss a moose, and feed some reindeer. If we ever have the chance, we would come back again. Well worth it!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My son and I just visited Steve’s place last week and it’s everything everyone says and then some. My 12 year old son is a wolverine expert and seeing a live wolverine was on his “bucket list” since he was six. So we planned a father/son trip to see the Kroschel Wildlife Center and it’s wolverines.
We were fortunate to be in as all group and were amazed at the atmosphere Steve created and his love for the animals. The best part of all was getting to meet Bannf the wolverine and seeing my son’s eyes light up when he go to pet Banf.
THANK YOU STEVE for such a wonderful day and for taking care of my wolverine expert!
If you are considering visiting Haines and this remarkable place…DO IT! You won’t regret it EVER!
Thanks from JD in Colorado!
If you can only do one thing in Haines this is it! We were a family of 12 ranging from 5 to 71 and each of us had an incredible time. Steve has a great facility, puts on a good show and allows you to get close with the animals. Our family got a ‘selfie’ with a porcupine, bottle fed a baby moose, fed elk, rubbed elks antlers for good luck, and so much more. This was the most memorable tour of our entire Alaskan vacation we can recommend it enough!
Amazing place to visit was one of the highlights of our trip! We were traveling with two girls ages 11 and 7 and they loved the animals!!! It was also wonderful to see how passionate the owners spoke about the animals!
Wonderful experience seeing and learning about so many native birds and animals. These are awesome storytellers with a deep love for the wild. Absoutely a must-do in Haines.
We visited this wildlife center as part of a Princess tour. The tour was rated moderate but for anyone with mobility issues, it is a difficult walk. Mostly uphill, then a very steep downhill. Mario's daughter and my brother-in-law had to slowly help me back down. Despite this difficulty, it was a once in a lifetime experience. The animals are rescued from infancy. You get a up close experience with all of them. Ever feed a moose a carrot from your mouth??? You will get to do that here!!! A wolf, hawk, lynx, wolverine, foxes, mink, grizzly bear, reindeer, porcupine, all close up. The rain didn't deter Steve and Mario's exuberance and love for their animals. It was rustic, rural and pure Alaska! And now I know why the mosquito is the Alaskan state bird😂. But the oils they gave us kept them from biting. Can you tell, I loved it.💕💗👍🏼
It is the most mesmerizing place . Mario and his family offer a glimpse into the wonder and beauty of this in enchanting wild life refuge in Alaska . The weasels, the mink, porcupine, raindreer, moose, Kitty, the 900 lb bear and others have been lovingly rescued and cared for by this family. Donations and tours by Princess Cruises offer thes animals the chance to live out their life expectancy in peace and joy. Loved, loved, loved this tour.
Can't tell you enough how special this place and these 2 guys are!! Absolute highlight of our Alaskan Adventure. We learned so much about the local wildlife, howled with a wolf, got to pet the rear end of a wolverine and got kisses from a carrot loving moose!! Seeing these special animals being cared for so well in a natural, large environment and treated like family made this a must see tour!! If you do one tour in Skagway, let this be it!!
If you are visiting Haines or even Skagway, Kroschels Wildlife Refuge is a MUST! We stumbled across this hidden gem while watching Coyote Pearson on YouTube kiss Karen the Moose, I was sold then! From that moment I was desperate to visit and when I finally did, it DID NOT disappoint!
Steve Kroschel and his team are very informative and entertaining. If I’m ever in the area, I will definitely visit again.
Thank you so much for the amazing experience!
I booked this as a cruise ship excursion.
First off, I am an animal lover, so this was a treat. You get to interact with many animals that you would not normally see. Steve and Mario both are committed to helping animals and sharing this experience with their tour groups.
I enjoyed seeing the owl, fox and wolf up close. Petting a wolverine was awesome. Interacting with the moose was special.
Keep in mind that there is walking on gravel and up/down hills..
We went as a shore excursion from a cruise ship. It was wonderful. We got to pet a porcupine, hug a moose, feel the antlers of a caribou, and see many other animals up close. Mr. Kroschel was our guide, and he did a very good job. As an added bonus, you get a scenic ferry ride. Highly recommended for all ages.
This is the closest to Alaska's wildlife you can get without putting your life in danger. Every animal there reminds us of the importance of their existence for our continued existence. The staff is truly concerned for the well being of each species, and they thrive.You will have fun, learn a lot, and leave the compound smiling. Where else can you kiss a moose?
Ready to see something besides whales and fish…..
Steve has the biggest heart for ALL animals and is so enthusiastic to educate and share his refuge with others! He has AMAZING support within the community and often takes orphaned babies from the state as their last option for HOPE. He and Patrick provide the most natural environment and care for their best interest.
This is NOT a zoo, this an experience you will never forget and a MUST DO experience!!!
Thank you Patrick and Steve!!
Steve is witty and entertaining. He and Patrick showed us the amazing animals of the rescue.
We had to reroute to Haines from Skagway Alaska due to unexpected weather conditions. We weren’t sure what to expect from our visit but I can happily report it was worth the trip.
Shout out to Duck our bus driver!
We made a last minute decision to rent a car and drive out to the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center, and it was the best decision while in Haines! The tour was engaging and informative with tons of photo opportunities. We learned about Alaskan wildlife in a way that was person and close proximity, creating an appreciation for the uniqueness of these amazing animals. Love the humor of our guides and getting to witness the relationships they've obviously built with these animals. An absolute recommend to anyone visiting Haines!
Ignore ALL negative reviews!!! From the moment we arrived, we were enthralled by the center and by Steve, particularly. His knowledge of the animals (orphans) and the care and conditions were notably exceptional.
Steve is a character and it was obvious that he both enjoyed and loved what he does. His concerns for our safety and the animals was front most.
It is a guided tour that lasts a couple of hours. It was over before we knew it.
This is an Alaska wildlife center. If you are looking for a zoo experience, stick to the big cities.
This is not a visit to a small zoo. It’s an experience. Highly recommended! Steve, the owner, is as entertaining as the animals! Get up close and personal with a Wolverine, porcupine, lynx, feed caribou and kiss a Moose! Feed a Bear! Great adventure for any age. Walking uphill may be a bit of a challenge for some. But Steve is a hoot!
What a magical experience! I highly recommend a visit to this wildlife center. My husband and I had an amazing time with Steve and the animals.
This is not a tour, but an experience! It was definitely the highlight of our Alaskan cruise! Seeing these native animals up close was an experience we will never forget! Steve is amazing and a true animal whisperer!
This was a fabulous excursion. The wildlife we saw, got to feed and pet was amazing! I loved the two guides' information and insights. I learned a lot and had a blast! I loved the low tech enclosures and total respect and positive regard for the animals.
I would like to know the animal in the photo I am sending. He ran up some underground tubing to be fed raw chicken on a stick held by Steve Kroschel.
Quite simply, the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center absolutely moved me. Steve Kroschel is an independent film maker who has worked with Nat Geo, BBC, PBS and many others, bringing nature to the big screen. His love and dedication to preserving and conserving our natural world is contagious. A little outside of the box, Steve’s energy and enthusiasm creates an experience that is impossible to ignore. All the feels. It makes my heart happy to know that people like Steve and his crew (we met humble Patrick and bubbly Ivanka) are out there in the world. I left a bit teary eyed, I was so moved. If you are ever in Haines, Alaska…this is a must!!! It is educational in the “rightest” of ways. I am actually struggling to find the words to accurately describe the emotions that this experience and this wonderful human being created for me. Thank you!!!
If you are a n Alaska and want to see animals up lose and live, this is the excursion. Ferry ride from Skagway and a 45 minutes bus trip but worth it. Animals like you have not seen in a setting more st unusual. This is not a zoo. Great for kids and people who levine nature and animals.
I highly recommend you visit this fantastic place, just make sure you have your own mosquitos spray.
Awesome time at a truly uniquely Alaskan wildlife refuge. Get up close and personal with those Alaskan animals you’ve seen at a safe distance. These animals cannot be returned to the wild but are not trained pets. They just seem to think that it is normal that people are around while they munch on their leaves or carrots. Everyone who wants to gets a chance to interact with the porcupine, reindeer and moose. Everyone will get to see the rest very close up in a relaxed atmosphere.
We had a wonderful time seeing all the animals. The staff had a passion for preserving the natural beauty of the area and for the animals that was inspiring. Would highly recommend this tour for animal lovers.
Wonderfully entertaining and unique experience. We went as part of a cruise excursion and Steve and his team exceeded our expectations, as did our driver Rochelle. Highly recommend!
This is an amazing excursion that gets up close and very personal with some of Alaska's wildlife. The animals are within a few feet and several can be touched by visitors. Mr. Kroschel's presentation and antics are worth the admission price alone. Well worth the time and effort to get there.
Our first trip to Alaska. This was by far the highlight of the trip! My wife got to kiss a Moose! Steve was an awesome host. Learned a lot about Alaska wildlife. Definitely a Bucket List item!
What can I say, this place was amazing. We can see that their animals were very happy and healthy staying here. Steve showed much enthusiasm, love and devotion in taking care of the natural Alaskian wildlife and made sure not to impact the animals mentality. We saw so many types of animals here that if you missed seeing it when visiting alaska, youll see it here. We enjoyed his educational spiels, had so much laughters and smiles, and left with a new outlook in taking care of our home. We need more people in this world Like Steve Kroschel. If you plan to visit Alaska, Kroschel Films Wildlife Center is a MUST!!!!!!!
This was one of my highlights of my Alaska trip. Really enjoyed Steve and his partner (forget her name). The animals are awesome and it’s not a zoo. Being able to interact with the animals was the best. Not handicap accessible and if you can’t climb a steep incline, forgo this adventure. Would do this again in a heartbeat!
If you are an animal lover, this is the best place to go and meet a variety of animals in their real habitat . The owner Steve is funny and highly informed about his animals. It was memorizing and I didn’t want to leave . The animals are loved and well taken care of. You will love the experience. It was the best part of my entire vacation.
This has been the best excursion ever! Worth every penny! If I were to come to Haines again, I would definitely visit this center again. Steve is a amazing caretaker, you can tell he loves these animals. Highly recommend, you’re in for a wonderful time.
We were fortunate to have Steve and Mario as our guides on our visit. We were told about this from friends. When we arrived and met Steve it all made sense. He’s nuts🤪. But an incredible man. Steve and Mario’s presentations were awesome and hilarious. They fed off each other. Extremely knowledgeable and fun. The animals were amazing. Many good memories
My husband & I came to this awesome place from our cruise ship, it was so fun! Seeing all the wild animals, seeing how they’ve made awesome connections with their keepers. They’re truly a family there. The highlight of our whole cruise was definitely getting to kiss Karen (the moose!). I highly recommend this place. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
What a place you just have to visit so much fun
The animals are interesting seem very happy and relaxed
You can stroke some if the animals including wolverine lynx porcupine mouse and many more
The commentary is funny but very informative making you think about the environment
Just loved the day
This was one of the BEST tours that I have been on within my 4 visits to Alaska. You get to come up close and personal with Alaska wildlife and even touch or kiss them! Come on, when in your lifetime will you be able to touch a wolverine or moose??? Steve and Mario really love what they do, and it shows!
They give you homemade mosquito repellent when you arrive, so don't wear the store bought kind since the animals get agitated. I suggest wearing clothing to cover your body if possible too. The only other things that the brochure doesn't tell you is that the 1/4 mile of walking is up and down hills, and the only time you can snack on the trip is on the ferry of bus. There is no lunch.
This is offered as an excursion on most cruise ships sailing into Skagway or Haines, Alaska. From Skagway it is a 45 minute ferry ride to get to Haines, but the scenery along the way is unforgettable. It is a full day adventure, and you will not have much time to shop if on a cruise.
We booked this through our cruise - it was definitely NOT cheap and absolutely NOT WORTH THE MONEY WE PAID. The owner is quite eccentric and weird to say the least. He is passionate about what he does and his animals but we were expecting to see more - there is only one bear and one wolverine, two reindeer and two moose. There are some other animals but these only appear very briefly after running around through tunnels made from drainage pipes. Quite a few on our tour thought this to be very disappointing. I would not recommend booking this tour.
I had been waiting to visit Kroschel Wildlife Refuge for awhile and it exceeded my expectations!
We were on the Norwegian Joy cruise ship....so we took a 45 min catamaran ride to Haines, and a 45 min bus ride to the wildlife center. Bathrooms on the catamaran! The catamaran and bus rides were informative and pleasant. Lots of eagles and neat scenic views. Zimba was our bus/tour guide and driver and he was amazing!
Then...we arrived at our destination. It is not like any zoo - it really is the setting of Alaska! Seeing the animals in there natural state was intriguing and exhilarating! We howled to a wolf, captured pictures of a grizzly bear charging, pet and fed the caribou and touched the antlers for good luck, kissed a moose, got a picture with a porcupine, saw a lynx and so much more.
It was informative and joyful. I am SO happy my family got to check this place out. I love telling everyone about this excursion because it was hands down my favorite part of our Alaska trip!
I recommend watching Steve Kroschel's movie The Grounded. I wish he had touched on it but I realize he made it all about the animals. If there had been more time I would have loved to pick his brain about his beliefs!
We visited Kroschel Films Wildlife Center in Haines last week while we were on a cruise in Alaska. We live in Arizona and rescue and foster small senior dogs (and have 13 at the moment), so getting to see a lot of animals is something I look forward to. The animals at this wildlife center are orphans and have been gifted to this center by the State of Alaska. Steve is quite the character. Yes, he is eccentric, but in a good way. He loves these animals, and they love him. These animals would not have survived in the wild, and with Steve, they will live longer lives than they normally would have had they not been orphaned. Steve is entertaining and is wonderful with children in teaching them about the animals. If you love animals and want to see them in a natural, loving environment, visit this wildlife center. You will see wolves, a grizzly bear, a baby moose, caribou, porcupine (that you can pet), a wolverine (the interaction between him and Steve is the best!), a mink, a lynx, a fox, a snowy oil, and a hawk. It is a about a 30-minute drive from where the ferry drops you off. Mary was our bus driver, and she shared so much information about Haines. It is beautiful there and is now one of my favorite places in Alaska. I hope to go back there again!
I had the pleasure to visit Kroschel Center during my Alaskan Cruise as an excursion, and couldn't have enjoyed it more. I'm a huge animal lover so I would have enjoyed walking around the center no matter what. But what really stood out for me was Mario. This is a guy who gets to live & bond with so many cool animals, travel the world shooting documentaries, has the whole mountain man look going on, and spread awareness along the way. I was a little envious to be honest.
More than all that though, what made me enjoy this experience that much more was seeing the passion Mario had about wildlife & nature in general as he spoke to us. Whether the topic was about the connection all trees & life share, this microbiome we have inside our own bodies, or the hawk I so wanted to hold, his passion & knowledge set him apart from most naturalists I have met.
We only saw Steve briefly as he had some sort of event or talk to attend, & I'm sure if he were around, the tour would've been even better. Definitely recommend this for anybody who enjoys nature & wildlife.
Thank you Mario and the rest of the Kroschel team.
This was an excursion offered via Windstar Cruise - I can't even begin to explain what a fascinating experience it was.
Steve Kroschel - is passionate & knowledgeable about his animals. He is an amazing storyteller of his experiences as well as educator. Every time I think of our experience there - I marvel. It's like nothing I've seen before in person. Absolutely - for the young and old. A must see. I will try and upload a picture of him wrestling with a wolverine.
I would like to shout out to Rachelle - who was our bus driver to the Refuge. I don't know her company name - hopefully this gets to her. She too is a brilliant storyteller. Her stories are about her life in Haines. She reminds me of Garrison Keillor and/or Stuart Mclean (Vinyl Cafe), if you know those radio shows. I hope she starts her own radio program -
I hope you get a chance to visit while you're in Haines, Alaska.
I truly enjoyed my visit from the ferry ride to Haines, our interesting mountain climber bus driver Zimba, the great animals & Steve Kroschel. Steve is a fun character & gave us interesting facts about his collection of his beloved animals.
The animals are in natural habitats.
The best thing for photographers is that they provide "windows" for us to put our lens through so you get a full view without the obstruction of the fencing.
Thank you Steve & gang!!!
This is a pretty quirky place with a proprietor who is quite a showman. If you want a show, this is your spot. The trip from Skagway is very long and the grounds of the refuge are rough and hilly.
It is a few years now but still remember it was the highlight of our Alaska trip. The personal approach the guys gave us a experience that will never be forgotten . If you love wildlife like I do you will never forget your visit. It was before the date shown but remember it so well
My husband and I visited this exceptional and unique wildlife excursion that we booked from a cruise. If I could give it 10 stars, I would. ********** We have been on over 22 cruises, and, for me, this was, by far, the very best shore excursion that I have ever taken. Steve Kroschel is dynamic, energetic, entertaining, enthusiastic, hilarious, and hospitable, as he greets his visitors at the front gate, and provides personally guided tours, and kept us entertained with fascinating stories about the animals. Steve takes exceptional care of all the animals he has rescued and houses them in their natural habitat, and his love for the animals is evident. Visitors get to meet a bear, snowy owl, lynx, wolves, mink, porcupine, wolverine, moose, and foxes close up. We were invited to get up very close to some animals and pet them and feed them. I wish I could have kissed each animal. They were all amazing and incredible and beautiful. Steve has developed a personal rapport with each of his animals using a unique language that only the animal seems to understand and respond to. LOL I just wish I remembered all the names of all the animals, and I also wish we had time to visit the gift shop. We would have purchased so many unique souvenirs. This was such a fascinating and entertaining experience, and we will definitely visit this refuge again. It was worth every dime. What a delightful and blissful experience.
George and Theresa Hann
East Windsor, NJ
This was definitely my favorite excursion in Alaska. Steve is the most entertaining, endearing, and passionate about life host you’ll meet. The animals are clearly adored. And best part? We kissed baby moose and young caribou. ❤️ I would gladly have this experience this over and over again.
OK this is a hard review to write because there were a lot of interesting and rare animals at the center but the head keeper was so odd that it really impacted my experience. He was "grounded" meaning he was barefoot the whole time (except when he wrestled with his wolverine) so he could feel "connected" to the earth. Weird. Oh and there were lots and lots of mosquitoes. They give you an organic dollop of some repellent when you get there but lather up before if you're susceptible like me and don't want to get bit. I had 8-10 bites on my thigh alone. Poor animals were suffering from all the bugs too.
Amazing time! Very interactive. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals and listening to Steve. Highly recommend it.
I would like to say that Steve and Patrick are doing good work at this center, and if the government is trying to shut them down, they shouldn't be, as they are very passionate about caring for these animals and educating others about them.
I just feel that the tour company needs to do a much better job of explaining what the tour is really like. It was nothing at all like I was expecting. Not that it was bad, I was just expecting a zoo like experience, and this was an interactive experience. You do not walk around the property and view the animals on your own. The tour stays together and a brief educational talk is given of each animal, then you are given the opportunity to feed and pet several of them. You will not find many other opportunities anywhere else to get so close to wild animals.
Steve can best be described as overflowing with energy and having an exuberant personality. I found myself wishing he would have been able to narrate the educational nature films we were shown back in elementary school. He certainly could have made them more entertaining and educational, and kept more of the class awake.
I do feel that the tours can be overcrowded, at least the one we were on was. Unfortunately, not everyone gets equal time to spend with the animals, especially if your tour bus is full. The tour is fast paced and therefore, the children were always at the front of the line and there were several on our tour. I realize Steve is trying to hold their attention and teach them something. However, the children, and their families, got to spend more time petting and being able to take pictures with the animals than the others. ( if only they knew how badly these children had misbehaved on the cruise ship and other tours, yet their parents did nothing to try to teach them to behave ) There were several Seniors on our tour that needed a little extra time to get around. By the time they got to feed and pet the moose and reindeer it was time to move on, and a few people didn't get to see the wolverine presentation because they were still in the feeding line. The tours probably should be scheduled for a little bit longer time period.
A small gripe with the tour company itself (nothing to do with the wildlife center ) was that a snack was advertised as included and all everyone was given was a small, half size bottle of water when we got back from a two hour walk. ( So, I HIGHLY suggest you take your own ) It also would have been wonderful if we could have stopped the bus just briefly for a few photo stops coming and going from Haines, as it was VERY beautiful along the waterfront.
Overall, it is a good tour, and a chance to do something unique.
Hold onto your hats, folks, because I have a tale of untamed hilarity from my unforgettable adventure at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center. Prepare to be amazed and amused, as this place is an absolute riot!
Now, let me introduce you to the real star of the show—the one and only Steve, our guide extraordinaire. This man is a walking comedy machine, a laugh-inducing wizard who had us in stitches from start to finish. With his snappy comebacks and outlandish antics, he transformed the tour into a sideshow of uproarious entertainment. Steve had us all laughing hysterically, our sides aching and tears streaming down our faces.
But Steve's talents go beyond mere comedy. His expertise and passion for wildlife added an incredible depth to the tour experience. His knowledge was like a key that unlocked the secrets of the animal kingdom, bringing the creatures to life before our very eyes. From sharing intriguing facts about their behaviors to revealing lesser-known tidbits about their habitats, Steve's enthusiasm and expertise made the tour engaging, informative, and downright fascinating.
Now, let me share the lasting impact that my visit to the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center had on me. It's hard to put into words just how profound and meaningful this experience was. Not only did it ignite a newfound appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our natural world, but it also left an indelible mark on my heart. Witnessing these magnificent creatures up close, in an environment where they were treated with care and respect, deepened my understanding of the importance of wildlife conservation.
I wholeheartedly recommend that others visit the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center. The educational value alone is worth the trip, as you'll gain insights into the wonders of nature that textbooks simply can't provide. The intimate animal encounters offer a rare opportunity to connect with wildlife on a personal level, fostering empathy and a desire to protect these incredible beings. And let's not forget the sheer enjoyment of the tour—the laughter, the joy, and the unforgettable moments that will stay with you long after you've left.
So, my friends, don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience. Grab your sense of wonder and head straight to the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center. You'll be captivated by Steve's comedic genius, enriched by his knowledge, and moved by the profound impact this visit will have on your appreciation for our natural world. Trust me, it's an adventure that's worth every penny.
My family (kids to grandparents) went to visit the refuge. It was very interesting, fun and interactive. We learned and saw a lot about many native animals to Alaska. It was worth the trip to experience it. Highly recommend!
This place was enjoyable and educational. I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to see and take pictures or animals I wouldn’t typically see.
Went on a trip organised by Celebrity Cruises. Great that we did, otherwise we would not have known this place existed. Place is owned by steve kroshel and run by him and his family along with his partner Mario his family. The place is real back to nature. All of the animals there are either orphans or direct descendant of orphans that they have adopted over the years.
Mario and his family showed us around that day. He was a fantastic narrative guide! His knowledge and most of all his enthusiasm to care for all wildlife was really moving. Everyone who was there (around 20) said that it was the best trip ever.
If you are ever in skagway, please visit this place. The trip involves a ferry from skagway to Haines, which takes around 45 mins. Best book this through a tour operator though, due to the transfer requirement in Haines and the viewing is by Appointment only.
It is very difficult to actually find most of Alaska's mammals in the wild. I have been traveling in Alaska now for 2 1/2 months and still have not come across most of the animals that I was introduced to at Kroschel's. And Steve Kroschel is a fascinating and experienced person with both animals and the film industry with many stories about both. And because he is experienced with wild animals he is very cautious with the safety of his guests, while making sure they get to enjoy the experience. Recommend for all ages, but keep in mind the attention span of your youngest.
I was traveling with my two twenty-something children, and the smiles on their faces were worth the price of admission. My daughter, Ivey, had told me ahead of time she was not going to put a carrot in her mouth to feed to a reindeer, but she was first in line by the time we reached the critters! Steve and Mario and their staff are dedicated to the welfare of these animals, and it shows. Having the chance to be so close to these unusual animals (for us) was such a treat. There is some walking involved, but for most folks it will be doable.
Incredible experience with a very knowledgeable host. If you want to get close to Grizzly or kiss a full size moose this is the place to be. You will also learn incredible facts you cannot learn in a City Zoo. This is an experience you will never forget.
Like so many others I only have a lot of good things to say about this experience. First of all Steve is very engaging thoughtful and uplifting. He is a bit scatterbrain but that adds to his personality. I would advise people coming for the first time and not knowing the situation and his layout to follow his instructions clearly. He has rules in place for a reason. So listen and pay attention close you will learn a lot. You have unparalleled experiences to get close and interact with animals you never thought possible all very safe and curated to ensure your safety. My only complaint was that the group was very large but later on the group could spread into two smaller groups. But stay close and always listen to Steve.
Cruise ship tour for us with a ferry ride and coach journey but If you love animals, DO NOT MISS THIS! Wolves, Lynx, Moose, Caribou, Snowy Owl, Wolverine and many many more! Watch Kitty the grizzly bear 🐻 Steve is a Dr Doolittle, the animals love him! I loved him! Crazy? Yes! And eccentric. But we have laughed so much and smiled
You will never get another opportunity to experience animals in this way. Steve was very good at explaining and involving everyone which is a skill
Steve and Patric have devoted their lives to providing a safe place since they are all rescue animal and orphans Don’t miss this!
Go and see what happens your fall in love with the place like we did
Actually, you can put a carrot in your mouth and stick your face toward the moose who will then grab the carrot from your mouth, and possibly leave you with a nice wet nose from bumping his nose. Lots of interesting stories about the animals, and very entertaining. (Even getting to rub the fur on the rear side of a wolverine was very unusual, and hand feeding reindeer was fun.)
Close up and personal encounters and info on Alaska wildlife. If you are in Haines or Skagway area, make sure to check this out. Call their number on the website and they will give you a time for a tour.
This was *the* excursion I wanted to do on our Alaska cruise. Fortunately the cruiseline added a second outing, which we jumped on.
One thing to be aware of is that, at least for us, there was a significant ferry ride from the cruise landing (in Skagway, I think) to Haines, and then another significant bus trip. Both legs are scenic but I would bring snacks.
The center itself is fantastic. Steve obviously cares for the animals and we loved his personality. If he asks for a volunteer, jump at the chance and leave all ego at the door. I'm not much more repeating past experiences, but I'd happily visit Kroschel again.
Definitely a unique experience. Scott Kroschel (the owner) is a quirky and super knowledgable guy. You can tell he loves what he does and made it fun for everyone to see and interact with the animals. My only qualm is that the tour group was very large so it was hard for everyone to get to see everything. Smaller groups would've been better.
We arrived by ferry from Juneau and had a car waiting for us from the Lynn View Lodge. It was a beautiful 40 minute drive (with construction) from the Ferry. We were the first ones to arrive, but had to wait for the rest of the group that was scheduled. A group of about 40 cruise ship passengers were scheduled with us. We quickly found that was about 20 too many people. The staff was very animated and friendly. Even with the crowd, we were eventually able to get right up to the animals. There were great picture opportunities. Among our highlights, we were able to kiss a moose, pet a porcupine, hand feed reindeer and hold an arctic fox pup. This is a place that you must experience for yourself, the reviews and pictures don't do it justice!
Such an fabulous place , like no other ..Steve is one of the best host on the planet.
When you arrive at the refuge, you are a stranger, when he opens the gate, and you walk in.the immediately feeling is you are with family ...
Mario is an walking animal encyclopedia. You are blew away that his knowledge.
Once there you are witness to such incredible animals.. Upfront and close.
The experience is one that is beyond words..A refuge not to be missed.
It is so wonderful to see the love that surrounds the refuge. The love Steve, Mario and all the staff have for the animals and vice versa..
Truly an outstanding Sanctuary . Hats Off!!!!!
What a thrill it is to see children learning about Alaska's wild animals in a safe environment where they can get an in-depth understanding of the difference between domestic and wild animals.
The Kroschel Wildlife Refuge has animals that are wild, yet accustomed to humans, so there is plenty of opportunity for interaction. The animals are living in a sanctuary because, for various reasons they can't live in the wild. They are enriching the lives of so many visitors and in doing so are helping their species to be better understood and respected.
To see a child gently stroking a Porcupine, who is so relaxed that their quills are laying flat against their body, or antlered deer enjoying mingling with the children is something very special.
I was able to get close to a moose; something I wouldn't have thought was possible, given it's Alaska's most dangerous animal.
Even better than seeing everyone enjoying themselves, is seeing the animals reactions to their carers. A silver fox who eagerly jumps all over his carer is both very funny and endearing.
If you are thinking of going to Kruschel Wildlife Refuge make sure you don't use any Deet insect repellents beforehand. You won't be able to pet the animals if you do. Instead, use the repellent available free when you get to the park.
We had a great time on this tour of the Wildlife Center.
Great guides, lots of great animals (falcon, lynx, porcupine, mink, weasel, bear, fox, wolverine, reindeer, moose, etc) and all up close.
A relatively easy, but uphill walk off the bus to the Center.
The folks who run it are obviously passionate about the animals in their care, as well as the animals in the wild.
Lots of fun, and very informative.
This place is so different to what you have ever seen before. (It is like something out of the Beverly Hillbilly,s). Mario and Steve, take us on a magical journey of some of the rarest wildlife that I have only heard about or seen in pictures. Their knowledge and passion for the work they do is first class and highly infectious. We took the shore tour from Skagway (Alaska), a boat and bus ride to this wonderful experience. Put this as a must do. You won’t be disappointed. Regards Richard S.
On our Alaska trip we balled out with dozens of excursions in every price range, but this one in particular warrants my first review out of any of them. What a truly magical haven and I cannot begin to describe the lasting impression it has bestowed upon me. I place this experience in my top 3 of Alaska beside dog sledding the punchbowl and kayaking bear glacier lake. And comparatively speaking, it was a total steal financially.
If unicorns existed they'd likely take residence around this place and peer through the trees to see all the happy laughter.
You'll get a chance to interact with a handful of animals, so bring your camera and any rain gear just in case.
This was a great way to see animals up close! Princess cruises offered this excursion and no one was disappointed. From petting a porcupine to kissing a moose and feeding caribou , as well as observing a grizzly and a wild... a must do trip!
Let me begin with a warning: if you are interested in learning about Alaska’s wildlife from behind a pane of glass and through the long drawings on of a dead-eyed tour guide that has so clearly lost their passion many tours ago…the Kroschel Films Wildlife Centre is NOT for you. If you are, however, interested in taking a tour through what can only be described as a rustic (but charming!) outdoor facility that boasts an almost do-it-yourself aesthetic that would be, had this tour been led by anyone but Steve Kroschel himself, a little off-putting. With Kroschel at the helm, however, this wild wide open space feels immensely welcoming, with encouraging quotes I only imagine that Kroschel himself has scribed onto the side of his “studios” (what those of us outside of the Hollywood bubble may call enclosures), and animals that are clearly loved and aptly named (if you are lucky enough to see Kitty, the grizzly bear currently living her best life at the centre, you’ll know exactly what I mean!).
It is whispered that Kroschel has his own language that he uses to communicate with the animals in his care, and after taking this tour, I believe it! Kroschel is a real Doolittle meets Wonka, with his ability to connect with both the animals in his care, and the people lucky enough to tour his centre; he is what some may describe as absolutely bonkers…I would personally describe him as whimsical! No author could create a character such as Kroschel; he is equal parts humour, compassion, and joy! A skill I am sure he has had since birth, Kroschel was able to make a meaningful impact in the span of only a few short hours.
If this all sounds overwhelming, let me try swaying you by acknowledging that this tour is exactly what you make out of it! You can choose just how much or how little you would like to be involved—although Kroschel does encourage interaction with some of the more friendly residents, I never felt forced to do anything I did not want to do (though his passion made me truly want to do everything that was offered!).
I would also be truly remiss if I did not mention Patrick, Kroschel’s right arm man and, quite honestly, the more reserved ying to Kroschel’s wild yang. Patrick introduced us to our first animal upon arrival at the centre, a one year old wolf named Luna who has been in their care since she was just a wee pup. It was clear from the very beginning that Patrick has a respect for the animals that the animals mirror right back; I never imagined I would see someone so comfortable play-wrestling a real live wolf, but I suppose at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Centre, anything is possible! Patrick and Kroschel made a ridiculously magical tour duo, combining their knowledge and their vast experience to make this one unforgettable tour.
Unfortunately I did not catch our bus driver’s name, but I wanted to make special note that they also bookmarked this tour (driving us to and from the centre) with a voiceover that was both educational and humorous! I could feel the Alaskan pride all the way at the back of the bus, and it made me proud for even being a tourist in such a wonderful little town.
At the end of the day, these are wild animals, and with the craziest animal of them all being the man and the name behind the center, it is almost guaranteed that no two tours will be the same…that being said, if I am ever lucky enough to visit Skagway again, this tour will be at the top of my list!
The Kroschel wildlife
We boarded a comfortable bus and during the 30 minute ride Mary the driver gave some excellent commentary. Mario greeted us with red tailed hawk which he said on it’s best day it caught 4 hares, 2 Grouse and a Mallard duck.
We saw a wolf, pine martens, mink, ermine, moose, porcupine, deer and Steve and Mario. There were plenty of photo opportunities, my wife got to kiss a moose. There were a few inclines and the path is not paved so sturdy shoes are advised. They do provide oil to ward off mosquitoes which were prevalent. They will sting through thin clothes. It was an entertaining and educational day.
We had a memorable experience at Kroschel - starting with our driver, mountain man Zimba who provided a wealth of information on the bus ride between Haines and the wildlife center. Once there, we got the opportunity to interact with rescued Alaska wildlife - from howling with a wolf, kissing a moose, petting a porcupine, feeding caribou, and watching a charging grizzy! We never felt rushed - they made sure that everyone had their photo opp and interactions as we made our way through the center.
Steve and his team do an amazing job caring for these animals and sharing information about them. (There was never a dull moment with Steve - my husband called him Dr. Emmett Brown from Back to the Future!) We highly recommend visiting the Kroschel Wildlife Center!
Fantastic exprience where you get the chance to get close up with animals you would never be able to elsewhere. we kissed a moose, stroked a portquine and an artic fox, and had a bear running at us, as a keen photogrpaher this gave for some amazing opportunties, booked from an alaskan cruise, bit of a treck to get there but totally worth it .
Booking "Wild at Heart" with Steve and friends was the absolute highlight of our cruise experience!! Such wonderful enthusiasm and love for the animals--the great care and passion--made our visit wonderful!! Our tour was genuinely authentic and made all other excursions pale in comparison!! Great Job!!! Wonderful people (including bus driver there and back from port!) and atmosphere!! From being greeted by a wolverine (my favorite animal) to seeing a Canadian Lynx (my husband's favorite) to kissing a mama moose---Worth every penny!!! We will be back!! Many thanks!!
The experience given is one me and my children will remember forever. The interaction with wildlife is one you will not find anywhere else. Truly a special place, care and love given to wildlife is second to none. Steve and Dave were fantastic guides. We love their paradise.
I've posted concerning Steve's Center before but wanted to add photos. See the photos because if you don't you won't truly understand what an extraordinary experience this can be. Yes, Steve is a showman but his relationship with the animals at the Center do indeed make him an animal whisperer of the first order!
We visited with a group towards the end of June. We had a fair mix of people and some very young children. In my opinion this is not an excursion for young children. Several times Steve had to tell the parents to keep the little cherubs still and or quiet. When they weren't, Patrick the poor man trying to handle the wolves had his hands full. Steve also had to run with the snowy owl so it didn't injure itself as it was spooked by one of the kids. Several times we moved on as some people decided they wanted to go off on their own. There were a couple of photographers in the group, and they were told several times to turn off the shutter sounds or beeps, they didn't. This is not a petting zoo. Yes, there are a few animals that you can pet and feed, but I think this is more of an educational excursion. The education part I think was cut short too due to the small children and wandering adults. We will definitely visit this place again when we travel to Alaska. The information given and the time we had there was great. Being able to get that close to animals is something that we will always remember. My 18-year-old niece got to pet and feed the orphaned moose; she was extremely happy about that.
After an short ferry ride from Skagway and a brief bus ride with an entertaining and knowledgeable driver, you are in for the experience of your life. Lead by Steve Kroschel, his assistant Mario and others, you will see various animals including a Hawk, a Wolf, a Red Tailed Fox, a Wolverine, Porcupine, Caribou, see a Bear charge, kiss a Moose and see other animals too. Animals are in their natural setting and well cared for. Because it is in a natural setting, there is a inclined path that you walk. This is a not to be missed excursion with great photo opportunities that will create lasting memories.
I’m serious, when I say if you’re an Alaskan wildlife lover, do everything you can to make you way to the Kroschel Wildlife Center. This wildlife center was fun, with an incredible variety of animals. I am sure for most, It is unmatched by any tour, zoo, or animal center experience you have ever been to.
My daughter Ruby and I first heard of Steve Kroschel and his wildlife foster center on YouTube. His love and unique taming to his foster animals has ignited her spark and fascination with wildlife. I’m in complete awe of the experience we had.
It was Incredible, I would say once in a lifetime-
But you’ll want to go more than once.
Thank you Steve. We are forever blessed.
Not sure where to start. This is not a polished tourist event. If you are willing to walk in the woods, wear mosquito repellent, smell animals as they normally smell and keep your inner child in the forefront of your mind, you will have a blast. It is a fun, informative, offbeat adventure with Steve and his friends (wildlife and human). I kissed a moose and a porcupine. The later has an odor, he didn't mind mine though.
Thanks Steve
Truly an amazing place!! Steve Kroschel and his friend Mario have a wildlife center that is hard to believe, with wild animals they have rescued and keep as pets! By Alaska law they can not release them back into the wild so they keep them, feed them, and provide any needed medical attention. We saw a red tailed hawk, wolf, red fox, silver fox, wolverine, lynx, moose, porcupine, mink, ermine. martin, reindeer, and a brown bear - all animals rescued by Steve. We booked this excursion off of a cruise ship so if you have the opportunity to go there this is a must see!!
Our kids said if they could give this experience 100 stars they would! What a start to our Alaskan adventure. Steve was amazing from start to finish. So much energy and enthusiasm and the animals are amazing. Absolutely fantastic for the kids (aged 7, 10 and 13). The tour is extremely interactive. Would highly recommend for anyone coming to Haines! Thank you so much Steve.
We can't thank Steve Kroschel enough for making our son's life-long dream of encountering a wolverine, come true!
Our son has always loved animals, and in particular, has been fascinated by wolverines since he was a little boy. He stumbled upon a book on wolverines in his school library when he was about 7 years old and has been hooked ever since! We even purchased Steve Kroshel's DVD documentary for him, never imagining at the time that we would one day be able to visit him in person (especially given the fact that we live in Florida)!
Our son just graduated high school and our graduation gift to him was a family cruise to Alaska this summer, before he goes off to college. We were all very excited for the trip, especially because we had surprised our son with the excursion to the Kroschel Wildlife Center!
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience and Steve's enthusiasm for what he does! On the day we visited the Kroschel Wildlife Center, while we got to experience so much amazing wildlife, unfortunately, the highlighted subject of our visit, the wolverine, was not feeling particularly social! We were only able to catch a quick glimpse of him in his enclosure. Needless to say, I was heartbroken for my son. But, he was a great sport and told me not to worry, that he was happy with just that glimpse, as he never thought he'd ever see a wolverine in person (I'm a little biased, but that's a pretty great kid!).
However, I couldn't help feeling disappointed for him. So, I figured that after traveling all the way from Miami, I couldn't leave without ensuring that I tried everything possible to get him a better look at the wolverine, including begging!
When the tour wrapped up, I pulled Steve aside (unbeknownst to my son at the time) explained our story and asked (ready to beg) if he would be so kind as to take my camera to the wolverine enclosure and take a couple of pictures for my son to have.
Not only did he agree, but Steve took my son with him! And just as I was saying a prayer of thanks, minutes later, my husband and I turned to see Steve and our son, heading back down the road towards us, and Steve had the WOLVERINE on a leash, walking happily next to him!!! It turned out that Gula Gula was willing to come out during that second visit to his enclosure!
As our tour group was milling around, waiting to get back on the bus, they got to see the wolverine this time around as well! It was a great surprise for everyone!
I can't thank Steve enough. What may seem like a simple act to him, meant the world to my family. He granted a wish, made a dream come true. The smile on my son's face and the gigantic hug he gave me will be with me forever.
We hope to be fortunate enough to be able to visit Alaska again someday, but till then, Steve and the Kroschel Wildlife Center have given us the memory of a lifetime!
God bless Steve and his family for the work they do and for their wonderful hearts!
Oh, yeah, needless to say, we HIGHLY RECOMMEND this experience!!!!
We were there June 2nd. I could listen to Mario for hours!!
His passion for our planet. And what we (Humans) are doing too it.
I wish more people would be like him.
It was fun seeing how he interacts with the animals.
We went on many tours and saw a lot of animals.But being so close up to the animals there was the best part
If you get a chance PLEASE go there!
I have never written a review on anything. But I just had to write this one.
I just wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed our time at the Kroschel wildlife refuge on Wednesday. It was an excellent experience and never thought I'd ever get so intimate with a porcupine😊 And thank you to Steven Kroschel for making me a part of the show!
Anders O.
Mukilteo, WA
What a huge disappointment. This is a strange mix of a strictly guided sales pitch and a petting zoo without the petting, minus a brief pet of a fox. Keeping in mind I am from Wyoming, and have recently discovered I guess I have loads more experiece with wildlife than everyone else on the tour... this is was huge waste of time and money!!! There were weird stories, strange requests and I often felt as though we were their entertainment when it came to being asked to say "kitty, kitty", howl, and make strange noises to beccon animals. Guests were treated like 3rd graders it seemed while viewing maybe 12 animals, besides the very brief siting of a bear, it wasn't anything you couldn't see in a zoo. In fact I would have enjoyed a zoo much more than the smarmy weird and extremely boring trip this was. Save your money and try something else!!! I cannot believe there were so many 5 stars and was so so so disappointed. 2 hours to get there from the cruise terminal, an hour and a half there and 2 hours to get back. Not to mention the weird stories of tge bus drivers experience repelling up and down the mountain while the alarm on the bus continually went off while driving. 100% bust!!
I looked forward to this excursion since booking my Celebrity cruise a year ago. Steve Kroschel made a memory for me - one that will last the rest of my life. From beginning to end, his unique passion for the animals in his care shined through and he involved every single member in our group to ensure we saw, were informed and felt the reasons why his mission to save the animals the way he did was so important. The State of Alaska needs to embrace the work he does, foster his unique mission and help grow the platform to help it thrive. The work he does is important. I will revisit him next year and plan on writing Lisa Murkowski as soon as I return home as well as the Governor. If you visit Skagway or Haines, book this stop, it will make your vacation, I promise.
Beautiful animals, very educational and entertaining. Steve and Mario were a trip. They obviously love their wildlife dearly and care for them. Best excursion ever. If you are going to Haines or Skagway on a cruise be sure to book early because they will be sold out. So glad we booked ahead of time. Where else can you go and get a moose to take a carrot out of your mouth?.
Outstanding! Settings where great where you are up close and physical wih the animals. Presentaion and interaction with guest made it a rememberable experience resulting in stories to tell.
What is not to like about being able to kiss a moose, pet reindeer, see wild but tame animals up close. It's awesome! And the 'guides' that live there and take care of all of these wonderful creatures are just as wild! Fun, fun, fun hosts. A must see in Alaska.
This was a truly fun visit. We got lucky that the bus filled with cruise excursion folks were late and got a private tour with Steve with a much smaller group of people. Steve's animal calls alone makes this visit well worth it. It's amazing to see his interaction with the wild animals and the moose feeding was super fun. In order for the moose to want to take a carrot from you, make sure you're not wearing any bug spray or scented lotions. The mosquitos here are huge and will give you some major bites. So make sure you're well covered with long sleeves and keep moving!
Wow! This was such a remarkable experience. There is no better way to experience animals. This was such a special part of our trip. We pet a porcupine and learned so much. Steve so clearly loves and cares for his animals. A few days we went to the Anchorage Zoo and it nearly broke my heart. It's worth a detour to spend time in Haines and visit Kroschels! It's an experience you'll treasure forever!
I have done many Alaskan shore excursions, but this one is perhaps the best. The proprietor, Steve Kroschel is a real character. He draws people in the group into his world of animals. This is not a zoo. It is a large estate near Mosquito Lake that houses many animals, some of which you probably have never seen in person: mink, marten, snow owl, porcupine, grizzly bear, moose, lynx, arctic fox and wolverine. Steve has an amazing rapport with the animal, even cuddling with the wolverine. (For those who don't know, one-on-one, wolverines are the most dangerous animal in the forest.) He and his assistant have the animals come out, often having members of the group make a call that entices the animal to come to the fence. You may pet a moose or feed a caribou/reindeer. Or pet a porcupine. Some kids may get bored, but Steve engages the kids to keep their interest. There is a fair amount of hiking up and down as well as standing. Therefore, it is not a good tour for those with impaired mobility. There also are a LOT of mosquitos. It is a good idea to have applied mosquito repellent before you get to the Wildlife Center. But between the fascinating animals and the showmanship of Steve Kroschel, this tour is a must who love animals.
This tour was a wealth of knowledge and a great show all mixed together. So glad that we made it! The bear was my favorite!
We visited as an organized tour from Skagway, AK. I had been to Skagway and knew I did not want to waste a day in Alaska in Skagway proper. Haines is a bit more off the cruise ship path(even though they get some) with great wildlife and scenery.
The Refuge was at the edge of the forest. The people to own and work there are excited about the animals and while they are in smaller enclosures, they are clean and well maintained. We were much closer to the animals and able to touch many of them. The staff escorts the groups through the refuge and as you go shares funny stories and information about the animals and conservation. Kids and adults alike were very engaged on the tour. "Karen" the moose was a big hit.
It was raining and overcast the day we were there and they were a few mosquitoes. The staff provided a non-deet mosquito spray. Some informal natural medical theory provided on the tour that I would recommend people should talk to their doctor before adopting for any serious medical conditions. Despite that, would recommend tour to anyone who feels comfortable walking short distance on uneven surfaces and interested in wifelife animals. Hiking shoes are not needed but would recommend sensible closed toe shoes. Would go again.
This place is fantastic! Beautiful animals well kept for by folks who know their stuff! A great day in Haines. Never thought I would touch a living wolverine, but it happened. And my wife kissed a moose!
They lost me at the start when we stood watching a wolf for about 15- 20 minutes. It was good to see the moose, caribou and grizzly bear. However overall I thought this was not value for money. It was VERY expensive. If it had been $100 less it might have been worthwhile. Obviously this is personal as I know other people on the tour thought it was great. For me the most interesting part was the commentary from our bus driver/guide Sam, on the drive to and from Haines.
The previous reviews I read did not do this place justice. These people and the animals they showed us are unbelievable. This was the most fun and educational wildlife experience I have ever had. This is not a zoo! The animals are friends of the people there and they display both normal behaviors and behaviors that allowed us to see their characters. And the experience is also super educational with lots of discussion of the science behind animal and human behaviors and interactions. Great for kids to hear and experience as well. We petted a porcupine, fed a moose, saw an Alaska brown bear run, and so much more.
One thing to know: the tours here have to be prearranged. They almost exclusively work with the cruise lines to set up the tours. I called ahead and talked with Steve, paid for our visit with a donation to their Center, then took a rental car to the location (not easy to find!), and joined one of their tours from a cruise ship.
This preserve was a combination of rustic, natural, and eccentric with a view of wildlife that was both close up and yet respectful of the animals. PS. I discovered I am in love with caribou/ reindeer!
You can tell the people here love their job and the animals. We took this tour through our cruise. We had quite a lot of people on the tour which was sometimes annoying because you could not always hear and everyone wants to be near the animals so it was kind of frustrating hoping the animal didn't get tired of the people before it was your turn to see them. Steve and Benny were awesome and were great at story telling! It took us 40 minutes from the cruise terminal to get here by bus. The time we went there were mosquitoes so be prepared. We got to see a wolf, wolverine caribou, mink, hawk, falcon, weasel, grizzly bear, kissed a moose and fed a porcupine.
This was an INCREDIBLE experience!!! You got to pet almost all of the animals and even get a MOOSE KISS!!!! Loved the antics and the conservation! These animals are all well taken care of and loved by their caregivers. This is a MUST do adventure! You are not rushed along. They take the time to let everyone touch the animals and to answer all questions. Truly wonderful to see people that are so passionate about what they do.
From the friendly and informative bus driver, Zimba, to the uniquely up close exposure to the animals, this was an excellent adventure. Steve and Co. are obviously dedicated to what they do and we learned a lot about the animals. Highly recommend.
From the minute you are greeted by our Guide with a beautiful eagle perched on his arm you were in for an absolute treat. The carrot eating Wolfe, bottle feeding a baby elk, patting a porcupine, kissing Carol the Moose. The biggest treat is left to last and I wont tell but it is so worth it!!! I would go back in a heartbeat.
I had been travelling Canada and Alaska for over 10 days and was a bit disappointed in the lack of wildlife I had seen. I was pinning my hopes on this experience and wasn't disappointed. It was truly amazing I knew Steve was unique but was amazed by the interaction we had with the animals I finally got to see an moose and who knew the porcupine is the cutest little critter I have ever seen. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
We did this shore excursion with Princess Cruises and we’re not quite sure what to expect. We left smiling, educated, and having had an unbelievable experience. Steve is eccentric but in a good way. He’ll keep you laughing while also educating you with all the animals at his wildlife orphanage. We petted a porcupine and fed a reindeer! We got up close with wolves, wolverines, foxes, and a brown bear! (And more) Such an unusual and fun experience!
The interaction with the animals is by far the best experience of my life. The knowledge and care of all the people involved with their care is evident.I highly recommend this tour!
If you love animals, DO NOT MISS THIS! A 40 min coach ride with narration from a local driver takes you to the animal sanctuary which is a wonderland for those of us who love animals. Get up close and personal with Wolves, Lynx, Moose, Caribou, Snowy Owl, Wolverine and many many more! Watch Kitty the Grizzly Bear come running when you call her! Steve is a veritable Dr Doolittle, the animals love him! I loved him! Crazy? Yes! Lol, but in the most charming way. You will never get another opportunity to experience animals in this way. Steve was very sensitive to those a little less confident around nature, but found a way to include everyone in the experience.
This is a safe and magical way to see and learn about these wonderful creatures, which Mr Kroschel has devoted his life to providing a safe haven to, since they are all rescue animals. Don’t miss this!
If you love animals then you will love this place, it's truly amazing animals safe and well cared for, staff and owner wonderful people, so knowledgeable and have animals welfare at heart, truly a brilliant trip, would definitely do again if it was possible
It's a journey to get here, but was worth seeing all the animals in very clean and large habitats. Steve is a riot; he and his team are all about the animals. It's about a 30 mile trek from the dock but the ride is reasonable, they have snacks and water, and a great narration about the salmon and rivers to tell you about. He has more than 60 acres, and critters include wolves, raptors, a lynx and brown bear, caribou, a porcupine, foxes, and various weasel friends.
Steve, Mario and staff are some of the most humble people you will ever meet.This did not feel like an excursion to me but someone inviting you into their home and introducing you to his closest friends.The animals are very well taken care of and have a bond with their care takers that is absolutely amazing to see.Their enthusiasm for these awesome creatures was entertaining to say the least. This place is a must see if you visit Alaska. I hope it stays around for a very long time for others to enjoy. Thanks for sharing your home.
Up close and personal with several awesome rescue animals. Where else can you kiss a moose? My granddaughter was all smiles.
The animals we saw were very interesting. The guys giving the tour were very knowledgeable and very informative. The only negative was they went on a little too long to keep us on schedule with our ship.
This was an incredible experience! My adult daughters and I love animals and loved learning about these native Alaskan animals and other wild life. as well as actually being able to touch them. My favorite was feeding the Caribou/reindeer. They were so gentle while they nibbled the food out of my hand. One of my daughters was in love with the baby moose and the other loved "petting" the porcupine. It was exciting seeing and learning about the wolverine.
The trip too and from Skagway to Haines was also an adventure. So much to see and learn!!!
We took a tour from our ship that was docked in Skagway. The views while on the boat ride and bus ride over to the Wildlife Center were beautiful. We had a great time seeing the various animals and interacting with some of them as well! We saw lots of reindeers. Kiss a moose and pat a porcupine. Saw a wolf and a wolverine, The animals appear to be well taken care of. We got some great photos, and will have memories for a lifetime. The staff were very nice. Highly recommend this site for anyone interested in animals.
What a great place! Run by two strange but very caring guys who clearly care about animals. I will likely never get to see and touch a wolverine again or kiss a moose, awesome. The two gents carried on in a very informative and funny narrative as we walked around their property. If you enjoy wildlife up close and personal in a relaxed setting then this is the place for you.
We were docked in Haines so it was a quick 30 minutes bus ride over - driver Sam was amazing and we loved her narration during the drive - we learned quite a bit and heard interesting stories.
My young kids and my 76 year old mom all said this excursion was the highlight of our 10-day trip. We haven’t stopped talking about it. Steve and Patrick let us feed & pet animals, and they kept us entertained around every corner (especially Steve’s big personality - we just loved him!).
The walk was steeper than we expected but folks could go at their own pace - my mom was okay and there were several people older than her that did fine. Highly recommend!
This tour is a must for Haines. We skipped the usual tourist geared Skagway and got right into the Alaskan Wild with this tour. From start to finish - AMAZING!!!! It's quirky, informative, funny, well set out and energising. Just what you need to shake off the weird wide world. The highlight of our Alaska Trip no doubt. The kids and adults alike will love it. 10 stars ++++
Interesting, with an impressive number of animals. But the tour itself is drawn out - you spend two hours walking about 100 yards. The owner is a bit odd. I would’ve enjoyed it more without all the flamboyance. But the animals seem healthy and well cared for, so props for that. The day we went was quite cold and since you spend so much time standing, my feet were frozen at the end. Dress warm (I was double-layered and still cold) and be advised it’s long and all outside. At the end they gave us a tiny bottle of water. We booked this through our cruise and it was $200/person. Definitely not worth it for the price.
Loved our time with Steve. Thanks for all the love buddy. You are a great person and your people is fantastic.
Our visit to Skagway/Haines, Alaska was full of rescued wildlife! I couldn’t have asked for a better tour! I just wanted to see a wolf up close, and ended up getting to stand within 2 feet of one!!! 🤗 That would have been enough to make my entire day, but we also saw and pet a 9 week old baby moose, kiss an adult moose, pet a porcupine, pet a mink, fed a reindeer, had a bear run at us (yes on purpose), saw a weasel catch a mouse, watched a red fox jump about 4ft straight up for his dinner, watched a pinemartin steal some jam on a stick, pet an artic fox and stand next to a lynx. One of my best days ever! 😃 if you ever get the opportunity to visit Skagway, take this excursion!
https://www.kroschelfilms.com/
Alaska is fabulous. The mountains, the glaciers, the wildlife, the people . . . just remarkable. I and my daughter just returned from a week there with many highlights, but the one that shone brightest was Steve Kroschel. Yes, he has a fantastic little piece of Alaska all his own with his wonderful animals which are a delight, but it is Steve, the man, who is the headliner. Steve and his vision really were the #1 highlight of our entire trip. Thanks, Steve. You're truly amazing.
Steve and Patrick gave a great up close and personal tour with artic animals. Steve's refuge takes in orphaned animals that would otherwise not be able to survive alone. A recent new "baby" is a little moose who lost his Mom. We saw two beautiful wolves, a red tailed hawk, pine marten, a mink, red foxes, two white foxes, a snowy owl, porcupine, a mink, a wolverine, a lynx, 3 reindeer. All adorable. I went as an independent traveler. I know the cruise ships probably charge a lot for this tour but it's worth it. You need transportation as Steve is quite far out of town. This is truly an experience. Do not believe the poor review- this is Alaska- you have to work with what you have available! Tour lasts about 2 hours. Suggest you read his website before you go!
Our family (6 adults, 6 children aged 12 on down) were entranced with this place. It is run by people who love animals and want to share with everyone the importance of protecting wildlife. We all learned a great deal of how wildlife species actually help humans by controlling the population of disease-bearing animals. Our children couldn't stop talking about everything they'd learned and seen. We highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about wild animals, and would enjoy getting close to the animals.
The ferry ride to Haines was lovely (and informative!), and the bus ride with Zimba at the wheel was terrific and ALSO informative.
All of the children want to go back, so do the adults!
this is a unique experience. you get to meet your charismatic, eccentric and caring host. he makes the trip to this refuge fun while he educates you about each and every animal you are going to meet in the refuge. the whole experience is unique, exciting and very unusual. You will experience the love and dedication these animals receive and you really do not want to leave when it ends. I highly recommended the tour and look forward to visit in the future.
The old man is "a character", but a good one with a good heart. The tour is better than just walking around looking at some animals -- a very fun outing, worth the drive.
Me and my husband went on a Cruise to Alaska in 2019. This is the best excursion we've ever been on. We've been on a total of six Cruises! We got great photos! It was great to get close to the animals and even get photos with them!
Mr. Kroschel is quite a character. His animals are fantastic. Really fun event. A highlight on our cruise to Alaska. You will need to rent a car. it is about 21 miles out of town at Mosquito lake.
I really don’t have adequate words, but I’ll try. Amazing, quirky, fun, entertaining, unique and I’m coming back in a year. My granddaughter is still talking about petting a porcupine, feeding moose, seeing a grizzly bear and much more. Expect the unexpected, not a run of the mill zoo. Seeing the animals in a less restricting environment is music to my soul. My compliments to Patrick and Steve. I even took home two souvenirs, a moose scapula and leg bone. I’m wishing I’d taken a few more to put in my garden. Thank you.
Booked a private tour and required to prepay in Feb for June, 2022. When confirming at the beginning of June was told a private tour was no longer possible. Said the $400 I paid up front would be refunded (but not until we got there on 6/23) and our party could instead join a large group tour at 9:45 am that day for no charge. When we arrived in port that day we called to confirm our arrival and told that the 9:45 was not going but we could join the 1:45 tour. Frustrating because we had planned our entire day around an early tour. Arrived at 1:15 for the tour and were told the large group tour was too full. There were also about 12 other people who planned to join that tour who had not prepaid. All but 3 were sent away. Our party was handed off to one of the other staff people who appeared to be one of the animal caretakers. We saw 3 wolves, 1 lynx and 1 fox. After about 45 minutes we were told that was about all to see because the large group that was with Steve were seeing all the other animals and it would be too many people if we joined. A huge disappointment as we had looked forward to seeing and hearing about all the other animals. Very poor communication since we were never contacted about any of the changes and only found out when we called Steve. Don't bother trying to book an independent tour as it likely won't happen even when you pay upfront.
This was the highlight of our cruise! We booked this as an excursion and was hesitant due to the travel time vs time at center. Every moment was definitely worth this unique once in a lifetime experience that will live in my heart for the rest of my life. If you do one excursion make it this one! You will not be disappointed if you love animals. Steve and group do their best to make sure it is interactive for everyone providing up close and personal, hands on time with a lot of the animals. Steve is a one of a kind soul that genuinely loves animals and people too. Though our time went by quickly (because we saw so much and was so fun) we never felt rushed. This was the first thing we and our teen shared with everyone on our return. Be sure to take mosquito repellent, wear good walking shoes for uneven terrain and make sure batteries are charged!
My daughter loves animals so booked this tour, place a little run down but expected, animals were amazing to see as best chance to see them up front,
My son has always been into nature and conservation and when he was young was very discouraged by the direction the environment and animals were going. Then we saw a nature documentary on wolverines, and among other things, they showed a guy named Steve Kroschel in Haines who was raising two orphaned wolverine cubs. The dedication he had was beyond belief, and it literally gave my son hope for humanity. We vowed to one day go see his center in person. I'm so glad we did - he's really an amazing individual, the dedication he has to helping the animals is awesome. We even got to see one of these wolverines. During the tour you get to see all of these, and even pet some (such as the porcupine, moose and even the wolverine).
We called Kroschel Wildlife Center and they allowed 2 of us independent travelers to join a group. You need to arrange when to go. They feature animals that have been orphaned and raised there and it is pretty darned neat. They handled children well. Didn't get to kiss a moose (too many people), but many people did. Animals have wonderful homes and are well loved. we were concerned that we were running late because of road work, and then figured one of the groups ahead of us were probably headed to the same place. They were. But, it would be a good idea to just allow extra time and get there extra early. Pretty drive from Haines. We were outside and walking on uneven terrain. So, sturdy walking shoes would be a help.
It is always inspirational to see that there are people doing so much great work on this planet! The animals that have been rescued are lucky to have landed with Steve. He and his family have created an amazing habitat in which these animals are thriving. Educational and crazy exciting to see so many creatures that we otherwise may never see. I cannot say enough about this place. GO! You will never regret it!
Our four person group easily decided this was the best part of our vacation. I cant recommend this venture enough. I have strong reserves about animals in cages or zoos, these wonderful creatures were obviously well taken care of, loved, friendly, and not in any way mistreated from what i could see. The head of operations, Steve, was extremely informative, entertaining, respectful, and engaging. He does put on a humorous show in the form of a quirky personality but nothing is over the top or careless; it was quite engaging and entertaining. I very rarely write reviews and im here today to express my gratitude to this amazing place.
The animals we saw during our visit was a howling wolf, a wolverine, three humans, a mink, an arctic fox, a pine martin, a porcupine, a lynx, a red fox, a baby moose, a female adult moose, a bear, and reindeer.
I cannot recommend this enough!
While on a cruise we decided to go to this wildlife center last minute and we are glad we did. It was both entertaining and informative and offered a very closeup experience with animals found in Alaska that we would not have seen otherwise. There was ample time to view each one and ask questions as well. To get there from Skagway requires a ferry ride to Haines and then about 20-25 minutes by bus to their very rustic facility. They do have a restroom available.
As a rescue animal photographer, this excursion was a must see. Can't say enough about how amazing it is to experience first hand what Steve Kroschel and his team are doing to care for and educate the public about these special critters. We booked through our ship, Royal Caribbean; took the ferry; and then a bus to the facility. They manage the groups very well, the last group was just finishing up when we got there so our driver, Zimba, took us up the road to see a gorgeous lake (White Swan lake?) then turned around to start our tour. Lots of laughs and surprises as you make your way from one area to another. They do so much to keep the animals as close to how they would live in the wild as possible. I had read other reviews about the mosquitos which are there for sure...when you get off the bus they do offer repellent; I had brought Avon skin-so-soft bug guard plus towelettes which worked great - wiped on exposed skin and they were buzzing around so wiped on clothing too & they left...no bites at all! Kudos to our driver Zimba too - the trip flew by as he shared info about the areas we passed plus he is an accomplished climber so shared his experience-great story teller!! Highly recommend to see this refuge - you will fall in love with the animals & the folks to care for them so well...
This is an incredible experience and education- not to be missed on your tour of Alaska!! This is a great event. Whether you are travelling with family or just friends this is a great time. All the animals you will see are well cared for, deeply loved and so fascinating. You can see immediately how much the families here care for and about the animals. Make sure you stop by and get some beautiful photo postcards, or handmade journals from them, they put everything back into the animal care. You can tell these people are truly passionate and not lining their pockets. The facility is not modern it is just natural.
He's mad as a hatter but cares more about wildlife and people than Zoos and anyone else I've encountered.
We took 12 family members to visit Steve Krochel’s Wildlife Refuge near Haines, Alaska
We were prompted to do this excursion in particular because our almost 12 year old grandson Griffin is crazy about animals. He had done an enormous amount of research about Krochel refuge in addition to the countless hours he has spent learning about all animals. He knew what we were going to see and helped us along the way.
THIS place did not disappoint! It is filled with beautiful creatures living in a natural setting and attended to by Steve Krochel, a unique and entertaining animal whisperer of sorts who understands the animals needs and behaviors. Steve is high energy with stories and tales all the while teaching you about his love of these animals. We got up close and personal with the animals and learned so much about their care and needs. My grandson Griffin said this was his favorite part of our 10 day Alaskan adventure!
If you have a love of animals, even some exotic ones make a trip to see this place. Griffin and all naturalists and curious kids of all ages will enjoy this adventure.
Dawn VF
Steve and Patrick were wonderful. You could immediately tell they loved the animals and the animals loved them. When you can step into a wolf den and the wolf runs up to greet you with love in her eyes, you know they treat the animals with respect. Having the opportunity to see these animals up close, to pet them, and see they were not scared of us filled me with admiration for what they do there. I wish I could have spent more time with them. And i was able to kiss a moose!!!
Visiting Kroschel is a MUST!!! My husband and I were on an Alaskan cruise last week and took an excursion to the Wildlife Center. WOW - I absolutely loved it. Seeing the human and animal interaction was amazing. These men truly loved the animal they worked with. Being able to pet a moose, reindeer and porcupine was something I never thought I'd ever do.
We will definitely spread the word to anyone visiting Alaska to visit Kroschel!!
Steve is great , I would rather go here than a zoo any day . All his animals are so loved . Watching the connection between Patrice ( employee and friend of Steve) with the Wolves was amazing . He really cares and loves all his animals and it shows through his work. The driver “Duck” is so nice and knowledgeable of the area , he’s lived in Haines for over 50 years and even took the bus of us on a little downtown tour ride with no extra charges . Amazing people ! And if youre lucky maybe you’ll to kiss Duck the moose !
Visited the centre in May and our whole family (5 of us) had an awesome time. Coming from Australia the animals we were able to meet were those we would never get to see normally. My eldest son has wanted to see a Moose for years and was thrilled to be able to spend time feeding and patting the young moose. Steve and Patrick were great presenters and hosts, making the experience informative and fun. Hopefully we get to visit again one day!
This was one of the best wildlife experiences I’ve ever had. If you want an up close and personal experience this is the excursion for you. Steve the owner truly loves and cares about all the animals in his care Great for kids and adults
What led us to take this tour (aside from our love of animals and those who care for them) was a film entitled "Chasing the Phantom". It is about the elusive wolverine and how Steve Kroschel adopts and raises two orphaned wolverine kits. Needless to say you must be experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated to try and raise such wild creatures.
So when we saw a picture of Steve with a wolverine in an ad for the wildlife center, it was game on. While we already had X amount of tours booked including the train ride (which was great), we skipped the panning for gold and barbecue to do this tour.
I cannot even begin to describe how happy we were to have taken the time to do this tour.
The bus driver was juggling while waiting for the tour guests to arrive via ferry, and it was evident he is not your typical bus driver. His name is Zumba, and while that name really does not fit a human, it did in this case(I say that affectionately). He was very passionate about the wildlife center and the dedicated staff. A lady greats everyone and gives a brief overview, then introduces one of the gentlemen named Mario. I will not give it away, but he appears in an interesting fashion that lets you know this will not be a typical zoo type experience.
As we walked along, you get to see up close and personal many exotic animals, whether it be a lynx, wolf, bear, virtually every class of weasel,then on to a moose, reindeer, porcupine, etc., etc.
Some of the animals you get to touch, feed or even kiss if you are brave enough. Petting a porcupine was a unique experience, and getting up close to a wolverine was the highlight for us. Steve like Mario is very knowledgeable and informs you of more than just the basics.
Their ability to interact with these well cared for creatures and how they respond tells you a lot about this wonderful place. Steve was very generous with his time, and had even spoken to me in advance, to try and work out the logistics of us arriving outside of the typical cruise ship excursion, if that was the only way for us to get there with limited time.
I am writing this review despite still dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Irma. So that should indicate how enjoyable our visit was for me to take the time and do a review with so much else going on.
We cannot say enough about this wonderful experience, as it was the highlight of our trip to Canada and Alaska.
We had a wonderful afternoon at Kroschel’s Wildlife Refuge! All the staff were friendly, informative, funny, zany, caring, absolutely amazing!!! We got to meet Isis the wolf, a Lynx, we got to pat a Wolverine, a gorgeous red fox and a porcupine. All the animals have been bought up by these wonderful people and are just gentle gorgeous beings..... we bottlefed a baby reindeer and kissed Karen the Moose. We also met Kitty the Grizzly Bear. There were many other animals and the 2 hours went so fast. The bus driver was also a lovely fellow, very knowledgeable, friendly and he organised snack packs and water for the return journey which really hit the spot. Definitely add this to your Skagway day tour, you take the ferry to Haines and a bus takes you on the return journey to the refuge. 5 star excellence with a very welcome rustic touch!!
We arrived at the gate of the property along with a tour bus from a cruise ship from another ship in port. We had purchased a tour from Steve online prior to arrival. The cost was $150 for the three of us.
We were met by two quirky naturalists, Steve and Mario. They told us the history of Kroschel’s. Most of the animals were abandoned and could not care for themselves. The animals seemed to love them. As we progressed through the wildlife center, Steve and Mario were greeted by a variety of animals. In turn, they introduced us to them telling us about the animals, how they acquired them, and the animal’s unique personalities. It was if the two men were a member of the animal’s family.
During our tour we met a moose, wolverine, wolf, weasel, porcupine, reindeer, and many other awesome critters.
There are other excursions to do in Skagway such as panning for gold and riding a train. I would recommend you choose to go to Kroschel’s Wildlife Center. This tour was amazing. Several cruise ships to include Norwegian Cruise lines now offer a shore excursion to Kroschel’s, however it was not difficult to make arrangement and do the trip on your own.
Check out my personal travel blog for more information on this excursion to include costs, etc.
Amazing experience! A must do if you are around Haines / Skagway. You wont get this kind of experience anywhere else. You get up close personal encounters with the wildlife of Alaska. Steve goes out of his way to make everyone's experience special.
How many of you can say you have touched a wolverine? They are some of the most dangerous creatures in North America, yet you will not only touch one but will also see Steve Kroschel interact with truly dangerous animals as if they were pets. He has so much respect for the animals. This is not a zoo. Kroschel treats the animals here with utmost respect. You should truly check this out.
We all loved this and have no negative comments. We had a family of 6. Everyone was informative and very accommodating for pictures and questions. Saw a wide range of wildlife. This was my daughter’s favorite excursion for the whole cruise!
One of the most enjoyable and memorable experiences! Steve and his staff are amazing souls and the way they interact with the wildlife is precious. Great photo opportunities. The quality of life for these animals is phenomenal. They are well cared for in a very natural and safe environment. An experience you should not miss if you are near Haines, Alaska.
This is a one of a kind place. So glad we chose this excursion from our Alaska cruise. The first thing we saw was Steve playing with a wolf like it was a puppy. I couldn't believe what I was seeing! Some of the other animals we saw up close: lynx, caribou, a two week old baby moose, bear, wolverine, porcupine, weasel, and we got to kiss Karen the moose. That was the highlight! Steve is informative, entertaining, quite the character and what a great advocate for animals and the environment. Agree with other posts that mosquito repellent is a must. They gave us a (nontoxic) squirt when we hopped off the bus.
Our trip to Steve's Wildlife Center was the absolute highlight of our entire trip to Alaska. When booking the tour, Steve told us we would be blown away so we were expected something great. The tour GREATLY exceeded even our high expectations. It was truly unbelievable. We were able to see and interact with so many native and unique animals. It was a memory to last a lifetime.
After leaving Steve's place, my 12 year old daughter said "This was the best day of my entire life." My twin teenagers said "I will treasure this day forever! I will never forget this" and "I feel so special." My son said, "My favorite part of this entire trip is Steve! I want to move to Alaska so I can work with him." It was truly an exceptional experience and something you MUST do on any trip to Haines, Alaska. The animals alone are exceptional, but Steve makes the trip an even more unique experience.
Prioritize Steve's Kroschel Films Wildlife Center if you are in Haines!! I would recommend traveling to Haines just for this opportunity. Thank you so much Steve for this experience!
Mr. Kroschel has really put together an awesome place to go and interact with some awesome animals. He has a ton of different animals to see, several of which you can interact with directly, and he’s super funny and entertaining that the entire thing was filled with fun and enjoyment! The best part Was the baby Arctic Foxes!!!!
Oh my God. This place is amazing. Everyone should go there. It is the best experience. I got to pet a porcupine, wolverine, and a baby wolf. I also got to feed 2 caribou babies from my hand. This was the absolute best shore excursion we took in Alaska and that we s saying a lot. If you have a chance take it. Go! You will love it!
Wow! We were in Denial Park, did a whale watching tour, saw black bear in Ketchikan and although we loved them all....Steve Kroschel's wildlife center was the most entertaining, enjoyable, we laughed so hard and got to see so many more animals than we expected. He also opened up our brains for the benefit of being "grounded by walking barefoot where possible. He entertained us, educated us and made us laugh and appreciate that the "present" is truly a gift. So much more than we both expected. AND a side benefit, was that I got to kiss a moose! Thank you Steve!
The place is beyond incredible. We were able to feed baby moose, and have interactive experiences with a ton of animals. Steve is a character but you can tell that the animals are well treated and he loves them. It was a great experience.
This place was amazing ! Steve is quite the entertainer and getting up close and personal with the animals was awesome! I highly recommend this place for a fun and different experience.
This was certainly an up close view of the center's rehabitated animals including a wolf, bear, moose, hawk, reindeer, wolves and many others. Steve Kroschel is such an enthusiastic host that you can't help but have a great time. The visit instills in its visitors the importance of maintaining our environment and its species of animals. It's not a large facility, but was certainly worth the effort of coming from a cruise ship in Skagway via the ferry and renting a car. After the tour, as Steve suggested, we drove a little further and viewed the gorgeous glaciers of British Columbia.
We did a shore excursion here during Alaska cruise. The place is amazing! Where else can you see and touch a wolverine, moose, and fox?!!! Saw a lynx, grizzly, red tail hawk amongst other animals too! The people here are entertaining and passionate about wildlife. Best shore excursion on the cruise!
Unless you spend most your days hiking, hunting or scaling mountain sides in Alaska, the chances of you seeing Alaska wildlife this close would be impossible. The ferry ride from Juneau to Haines gives you a chance to really take in the beauty of the mountains, waterfalls, and scenery. The bus ride along the Chilkat River was amazing to say the least, to eventually arrive to a place, to be honest, you at first might be a little unsure of. Once inside you get the chance to not just see animals up close but to really interact with them. The bus driver told us the owner Steve Kroschel was a lot like Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder, not the weird Johnny Depp one) and I couldn't agree more. The way Steve educates people about the animals, really shows his passion and love for the them. Every short walk or turn led to another small adventure from wolves, to foxes, to a Moose named Duck, to even a grizzly bear. My family considered the Wildlife Center the highlight of the trip and hopefully get to see Mr. Kroschel and the animals in the future.
Steve and Mario are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about wildlife and our environment. It was a pleasure hearing their wealth of knowledge and they gladly answered any questions. We had the opportunity to kiss a moose and pet a porcupine, mink, and pine martins. Saw Steve interact with a wolf. Definitely a once in a life time experience that we would highly recommend.
No only did we get to see wild animals up close, it was wonderful how they handle the animals, how they treated the animals, and how they respected the animals in their habitats. Truly it is something that you do not want to miss when you go into Haines Alaska. Even if you have to make a side trip to Haines it's well worth it.
Our group took this excursion as part of our Skagway cruise experience, and we were not disappointed. The drive from the Haines ferry takes you past some beautiful scenery to the Kroschel Wildlife Center. Steve Kroschel is the heart and soul of his Wildlife Center. His love and care for orphaned Alaskan animals showed during his engaging presentation. In addition, his sense of humor in getting tour members involved in the presentation along with his assistant made the time fun and informative.
He speaks his own language with the animals and he introduced us to many animals, including a wolf and wolf pups, minx, snowy owls, wolverines, moose, and Kitty the grizzly. His care and love for people shines through as well. Visiting his Wildlife Center is not to be missed if you are in the area!
I think that we met at least 13 animals and petted or kissed most of them. Several are unusual. What also makes this place special is the staff/owners. They are all so interesting and knowledgable and entertaining. We didn't want to leave.
This visit was so special, uplifting and overall inspirational. I highly encourage everyone to make the time to visit.
Mario, Steve and the team are passionate, friendly and have an incredible connection with the resident animals.
What surprised me most was the depth of knowledge that Mario has on ecological matters.
Definitely a highlight of our Alaskan trip.
Our trip to this amazing wildlife preserve was nothing short of wonderful. They truly have a great team here from Karen running reservations to Cheryl operating the bus, to the team of Steve, Lilly, and Mario they were FANTASTIC! A once in a lifetime experience to see and touch many of these animals. Will be going back!
This park is an incredible up-close experience with Alaskan animals that have been trained by videographers. It's an opportunity to photography safely. The presenters are funny and the tour moves along organically.
This is very interesting, especially if you want a more personal and unclose experience to wildlife. Steve, the director, is different than most, but very entertaining and you'll learn a lot.
We had heard about this animal refuge but also heard it was hard to get into. We enquired at the gate & they were happy to let us in. So glad they did. It was amazing. Saw animals I had never seen before. A Wolverine, a Moose, various rodents, Birds of prey - hawks eagles etc. a porcupine. The commentary was entertaining, informative & funny. If you want an experience that is totally different to anything else then this is the place for you.
One of my favorite excursions off the ship was Kroschel Film Wildlife Refuge. Steve was very passionate about these animals. They appeared to be well taken care of…which was a lot better than what would have happened to them. We were able to see a lot of animals that were rescued that we haven’t seen yet here in Alaska. Patrick was there as well and was very nice and helpful.
Thank you both.
What a great experience and Mary the bus driver was so organized with her information. The way she gave us information on our way to the wildlife center and back was done so well. Everything was interesting and we felt we learned a lot about Haines Alaska we have had a lot of information through drivers on our 15 days trip to Alaska and we enjoyed this tour and their guides the most.
It was an amazing experience. Best place ever.Will recommend to visit this beautiful place and the cookie mna
Kroschel Wildlife Refuge was one of the BEST cruise ship shore excursions I have done anywhere. Steve Kroschel is a character who is very sincere about sharing an amazing animal experience with all of the guests in a very entertaining way. The tour was very interactive and Steve and Patrick really try to make the guests a part of the experience as much as the animals. The 45-minute ferry ride from Skagway to Haines was picturesque all on its own. The 35-minute bus ride from Haines to the Wildlife Refuge was educational, scenic, and seemed to go by very quickly. We were three adults but kids did well too. In fact, the animals seemed to gravitate toward the kids. Probably not the best place for a stroller or walker though as there was quite a bit of walking on rugged outdoor paths.
Amazing! The opportunity to see and touch some of these animals is once in a lifetime. The day we were there 2 wolf cubs(30 days old) arrived. The cutest things ever. We got to pet a porcupine and a reindeer. Steve the owner of the facility is obviously very passionate about the animals and really loves them. I would go back in a heartbeat.
We absolutely loved this tour. It was just the right mix of quirkiness, fun, danger, and slowing down enough to really connect with the animals. The owner, Steven, is a dead ringer for actor Hugh Grant, and packs a personality that is just enough crazy to make you love him. The animals are in their natural habitat so you see how they really live. Stevens’ connection with them is very real and touching. It’s a pain to get there—you have to take the fast ferry to Haines, and then drive 40 minutes, but our family loved it. We saved about 30% booking direct and getting there ourselves instead of with tour. We saw a bear up close and personal. Plus fed a moose and caribou, fed a porcupine, and got to howl with the wolves. It’s not a fancy place. There are homemade fences and hand made signs everywhere that cracked us up (ex: Touching animals may cause lots of bleeding or death). The guy has a great sense of humor. If you want professional and buttoned up don’t go. If you want to see real animals and a human who loves them, in an environment that is truly a home for animals, you’ll love it.
Absolutely thrilling two hour tour, filed with suspense, excitement and wonder. Led by a character somewhere between Jim from Taxi and Crocodile Dundee from Alaska🤣 Saw all the animals I wanted to see, and some I was frightened to see, but so glad I went! Petted a porcupine, a moose, a caribou…and unsuccessfully fed a lynx. Only at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center- not to be missed.
While cruising trough Alaskan fiords we’ve ventured into Steve Kroschel Wildlife Sanctuary were we had a opportunity to meet, close and personal, with the most amazing animals. Experience, the place and Steve’s dedication to welfare of those creature and his relationship with each of them, touched us deeply and made that excursion unforgettable! Thanks Steve.
This is the best interactive Wildlife attraction we have experienced. The presentation is informative in animal behaviour and their responses to Steve. Did you get the picture? This question is asked many times to ensure everyone can get the best picture memories to show at home. Sadly the tour ends with you wanting to revisit to do it all again. What a great day out.
The refuge is a hike from the port but the drive is scenic and our driver was interesting. The refuge is not a slick, developed facility. It is a rough property in the woods without sidewalks. If you have limited mobility, this is not a good choice for you. We love animals and appreciated the opportunity to be upclose and personal with several species that we would never otherwise encounter closely. The owners are passionate about long-term protection of animals and the world environment. The price supports the mission of the refuge and not a fancy facility.
By far the most enthusiastic tour I have ever been on. Steve really puts in the effort to let everyone experience the animals. Be sure to say hi to Karen and Kitty for me when you go.
Came with my husband and two kids! What a cool Alaskan wild animal park! I got to smooch a moose! And pet the back side of a Wolverine!
Cool animals and it really seems like they like Steve and Mario!
Great tour guides!
I'm writing this review as I got onto Steve's site to book my third tour. I saw a couple negative reviews and couldn't believe it. Seeing a wolverine outside an enclosure, petting a fox, howling with a wolf, kissing a moose and seeing Kodiak brown bear make for an experience we don't think you could get in one place anywhere else. Our first time was a pleasant surprise, so much so we planned our 2nd trip for our wedding anniversary, even though the cruise we were on was stopping not in Haines but a town nearby: we still made visiting Steve's place a priority. When we decided to take another cruise and this time bring the whole family, my wife's only request was to pick an itinerary that would allow a 3rd visit. That's how much we like Steve's place. It's not a zoo. It's a private sanctuary. Steve and team's love for the animals is obvious and infectious. But expect the experience to be different. Go with the flow as Steve and crew entertain you. If you think it's overpriced, blame your cruise line.
DESTROYED! Government came in and took all the animals G-d knows where and threatened to arrest Steve. As of July 2, 2025
This was one of the highlights of our 11 day Alaska trip! We had the chance to get up close and personal with many animals - fox, bear, wolverine, wolf, moose, caribou, porcupine and more. Steve and his staff put on a very entertaining and informative tour - this is something you won't find anywhere else, is a very worthwhile mission and cause, and I'd go there again in a heartbeat!
We live in rural PA. I can see deer, bear and more by going a few miles from town. But this was different! The animals / actors are respected & almost at arms lenght. They're well taken care of & you relearn how important they are in our chain of existence. Beyond all that, it was one of the most fun excursions we did while in Alaska. Amazingly, we had a great time & actually learned things. ... Yes, there is some walking, but it's minimal. There is a slight grade from 'lower area' to 'upper area' but I did it with a cane & bad knees! Each environment you visit is very close to the one before it & there are benches. If you can get on the bus, you can handle the day... especially, since your one stop at a time... it's not a sprint!!
If you are cruising and stopping in Skagway, don't let the 6 hour time frame for the excursion scare you. Our meet time was 7:15 a.m. and we were back at the ship by 2:00 p.m. with plenty of time to go into Skayway to look around. Steve and Mario are so passionate about their career and dedication to animals and saving the wildlife in Alaska and it shows through in their tour. They are also very entertaining with the animals and they are teaching people everyday about "simply" living life. I would go on this tour again in a heartbeat. If you dock in Skagway, you take the 8:00 boat to Haines, then it's about a 25 min. ride (we saw a black bear in the mountains from the bus) to the Wildlife center. After the tour you get a snack on the bus then back to the boat to return to Skagway. We booked through the cruise ship because of the additional transportation. I think they require close toed shoes because you are interactive with some of the animals. GREAT TOUR!
Chances to get close to northern animals and get some great pictures. My teens had lots of fun as well.
I booked this excursion through the cruise company based on a written description that turned out to be not accurate. I expected a hike through the wilderness observing and photographing wildlife. What I got was a show and tell with rescued wildlife. Also Steve and Mario put on a show with animals that seemed to highlight them rather than the wildlife. Additionally our cruise party of about 24 people was doubled in size with the addition of land based visitors causing a very crowded tour. I can understand the rave reviews by others for the Center especially those who have not seen wildlife up close, but for me it just did not meet my expectations.
Thoroughly enjoyed hearing the history of this place and learning about all the animals. It was obvious that the animals loved the people who worked here. We were able to pet a fox, feed reindeer, kiss a moose (feed it a carrot from your mouth - if you wanted to do that), and to see a lynx, black fox, red tailed hawk, bear, wolf, porcupine, and other animals. There is a lot of walking and standing if you come here, so don't go if you have trouble doing either one of those. This is a wonderful place. My only complaint is that our group was too large. A smaller group would have been much better.
What an amazing visit to Kroschel's Wildlife Center! We absolutely loved it and would recommend it to all.
We were not with a cruise...just booked it on our own. I love photography and was able to get amazing shots of the animals.
Steve was still getting over losing his moose to a grizzly the previous month. We felt sad with him over the loss.
He was very knowledgeable of the animals in his care, and created an opportunity for us to enjoy them with him.
Absolutely one of the top excursions we've done! Mr. Kroschel is fantastic - informative, engaging, and entertaining!
I saw a documentary in Australia about the Steve Kroschel Wildlife Refuge and decided that was a place I wanted to visit.
It was an absolute awesome experience. I got to see and touch so many animals I've never seen in real life, including a wolverine, yes I got to see it up close and give it a pat, haha, a very quick pat.
Steve is extremely entertaining and loves all the animals and they love him.
I can't recommend this tour enough, it was a highlight of our Alaskan holiday.
Thank you Steve for an entertaining learning experience. This is not a normal zoo, The animals are in as close to natural environment as he can make on his property. Steve Kroschel is extremely passionate about the animals he cares for. Our time there went far too quickly.
As a part of the Wild Departures tour we had an afternoon visit to the kroschel Films Wildlife Centre with Steve Kroschel and had some entertaining animals to photograph and get to meet. from Owls and Red Tail Hawks to the Grizzle Bear, Wolf and Lynx they were all there for us to see and photograph and the oration from Steve was first class. Photos with Porcupine to kissing the moose and then watching the Wolverine go thru his paces. For more on this place read Michelle Theall's editorial in the Alaska Magazine called dances with Wolverines I would recommend a visit to Kroschels Wildlife Centre while in Haines
This was by far one of the best excursions we had on our cruise. One of a kind experience you will not get elsewhere. I read some of the sour reviews and they just seem to be stuck up individuals. Was it pricey? A little, but it included a 45 minute ferry ride with tons of information and then a 40ish minute bus ride full of information to and from the ship. Mary was our tour guide on the bus and she was loaded with information. You would think she was native to the area and she is not, she’s been there for 4 years. It was not advertised, but we were given snacks and a water (nice surprise to me). This may not be a place for you if you’re not an outdoors person, I’ll leave it at that. Steve is very passionate about what he does and is full of information and experience. You may call him strange because he isn’t your normal everyday person, but I have never encountered someone like him and I wouldn’t have cared if he went barefoot the whole time (as some previous people complained). He mentioned they are trying to stop his tours and if they come up with a way for us tourists to help continue this amazing one of a kind experience, I’d back them up 100%. We encountered wolves (she bowled with us), minx, linx, hawk, fox, caribou (got to feed them and touch) moose (got to feed and touch), wolverine, owl, porcupine (so cool to touch one) , and I’m sure I’m forgetting something. There were steeper inclines probably not the best for those severely out of shape or not wanting to walk in natural habitats of the Alaskan wildlife (however this is advertised already on the cruise excursions, so shame on those who didn’t read that). We were given a lot of background on some of the animals and why they ended up there or how they end up there. Seeing how the animals interacted with Steve and Patrick shows how well they are taken care of and how loved they are. This is not a zoo, this is not your fairy tale, or high end rescue. This is straight reality and this what people need to see. Keep being you Steve, you’re doing incredible things. Just remember you CANNOT please everyone. We would visit again in the future if we ever came back to Alaska.
The orphaned animals are as fun as you would expect. This place is a real gem and you shouldn't miss it. Be sure to take some water with you---they don't have any on the bus or on the premises. You will be VERY thirsty. Well worth the cost and effort. Unique people.
OK, we are veterans of 40 cruises on 4 different lines. This rates as one of the all time best excursions of all time. If we had done this place first, we could have skipped every other "wildlife" place on our cruise. This is an amazing place with incredible people. They are very open about why the various animals are there--this is not a zoo. These are animals who couldn't live in the wild for various reasons and as such have become sort of ambassadors for wildlife. Seeing them up close was amazing. Yes, they have been trained to human contact and interacting with guests as well as doing films. They are truly incredible. It did take over 2 hours from our ship till we got to the center as there is road construction,etc. But it was worth the time and effort. If you do only two things in Alaska, make it this and whale watching.
This is the second time we’ve visited this and it’s great both times. Where else can you kiss a moose? A great place to learn a bit more about world interactions from Mario, and how to be wild from Steve.
Steve is one of a kind! This is the best most unique tour we have taken. The Kroschel Wildlife Center is the reason we chose to go to Haines AK. We were not disappointed! The animals are beautiful! Steve shows you a good time while educating you about the animals. Definitely do this tour!
Outstanding place built in the love for animals. This is an experience like no other with Steven and Patrick
This is not a zoo and if that's what your looking for this is not your place. If you want to see dedication to giving the animals the closest thing to a home in the wild This is your place.
No fancy concrete side walks and fancy landscaping. Nope it's built for the Animals not the dollar. It's as real is it gets.
Steve is who he is, you have to listen closely as he does joke alot but between them is information you have never heard.
No fancy take a picture with this animal for 25.00. You get up close and personal with them and can pet a large number of them.
Check it out, you will be glad you did.
With Mario and Steve at the reigns of our tour, we were constantly surprised by how much we learned while being thoroughly entertained in the process. Their expertise with the exceptional variety of animals they care for, is truly astounding!
This was the 3rd time we have cruised Alaska and the first tine we stopped in Haines.
Visiting Kroschel's Films Wildlife Center is one of the best stops we ever made on all three trips. The cruise ship offered a package to visit Kroschel's but it went in the afternoon and I wanted to go in the morning. I booked direct with Kroschel's and reserved a car at the port in Haines. Save about $150.00 doing it this way. Steve Kroschel, the man who owns and runs the Wildlife Center is amazing He is so in tune with the animals in the Center as they are with him. Steve is a very knowledgeable naturalist. He is also very personable, has a impressive resume and a great sense of humor. This was the highlight of our 7 day cruise.
A truly amazing experience. I would recommend this for anyone that enjoys wildlife. Family friendly. Very authentic and knowledgeable tour guides.
This was our first trip to the Kroschel Wildlife Center and I would love to go back again. Steve had tons of energy and kept us moving. I didn't catch the name of the man working with him who had the red tail hawk with him but he was full of facts and stories, he taught us all a few things. I just wish I could remember all that he said. Everyone working there was more than happy to answer questions. I took an awesome photo of the bear thanks to Steve and will come back to update this review or write another as soon as I get if off of my camera.
Super fun and entertaining...and some hands on too.
Be sure to visit when you get to Skagway or Haines, Alaska!
When your ship stops in Skagway, take this excursion; It was amazing to get up close pictures of a grizzly, the linx is a beautiful animal. my wife kissed a moose, and I don't mean me, and there's so much more. We'll treasure the memory and have lots of very memorable pictures to remind us.Thank You Steve and Nario and staff for what you do and for giving people to see these animals. Highly Recommended !!!
Just as others have said, this was the best tour of our entire Alaska vacation. It's obvious how much Steve cares for the animals and their bond to him as well. Steve is very entertaining and engaging - so much better than just walking a path and looking at animals and reading the sign for information! My autistic son was happily riveted the entire visit - so unusual! He tells everybody this was the best day of the whole trip! If you're anywhere near Haines, don't miss it!!
Steve as well as the animals are WILD. Fun place because Steve makes it fun. A little out of the way, but take Haines Shuttle or rent auto, a must see if in Haines.
Steve and his staff are quite the characters and give you a great learning experience. Make reservations before you leave home as they keep the crowd small and intimate
This was my second visit here and I loved as much as the first time. This time I had my 11 year old granddaughter and what an experience for her...she pet pine martens, a mink, caribou...fed a baby caribou and porcupine...and kissed Karen, the moose. Steve is quite entertaining so he held our attention the entire time.
Not to be missed if you're in Skagway! Take the ferry to Haines and visit this amazing place. Steve Kroschel was a blast. Seeing all the rescued wild animals up close, feeding reindeer, and kissing a moose made for an unforgettable experience!
You must do this tour. We were blown away by the passionate work Steve continues to do for all these animals. He is definitely an animal whisperer and his love for all animals is apparent. The tour is very informative, inclusive and way out of the normal ‘wildlife experience’. Steve’s dramatic flare puts a fun spin on this tour. Not what we expected but by far the best tour we did in south east Alaska.
Have you ever yearned to kiss a moose or pet a porcupine? Then, Kroschel Films Wildlife Center is the place to visit. In this rural setting, you can howl with a wolf, learn about a variety of local species that have been rescued and interact with the "dr. Doolittle of Alaska," Steve Kroschel. This attraction is a way to joyfully experience and learn about Alaska's wild creatures that all appear to be remarkably content. Definitely off the beaten path and definitely worth the trip.
Steve and Mario have heart's as big as Alaska. The animals are loved and treated like family. Seeing the different reactions of the people on the tour to the animals and staff was amazing. The hill was a little bit tough for me but Mario's daughter helped me navigate my way. Seeing the wildlife and interacting with them was the best part of our trip.
We visited this Wildlife Center on a cruise excursion last week. I had seen it featured on Brave Wilderness with Coyote Peterson and was so excited to come. You get to see, meet and interact with so many animals. Steve and Mario who are the gentlemen who started the place really ham it up and put on a good show. It's clear that the animals are loved and cared for. The guys are really good with answering questions you might have in your head before you even get the chance to spit them out! I don't want to spoil the animals although I see there are many photos on the reviews, but let yourself be surprised and enjoy the experience!
The only caveat I would have which I'm not sure if this was the cruise line's doing of the Wildlife center's doing was that there were just too many people on our tour. It was very hard to get to the interactive parts with the animals and many folks didn't understand the concept of a line. Constantly people and kids would walk right in the way of you trying to film your spouse even when you said excuse me. I had one man cut directly in front of my husband and I to feed an animal toward the end of the tour (again, trying not to spoil anything) and a young boy who is old enough to know better doing the same. Things were quite chaotic in that regard and again I don't think it was the center's fault, I just think that many people was too many for this tour at one time.
Also speaking of children, it was a bit disappointing that the one on one interactive portions were always given to the kids. I get it, they're young and the world is magical and it's fun to give them a good time. However, the adults paid to be there too and experiences should be distributed more evenly instead of defaulting repeatedly to the only two children in the entire crowd (there was an adorable little baby but he of course couldn't participate so I'm only referring to the ones old enough to join in the fun). Spread the love! Let them do some and let the grown ups do some too!
One of the best excursions! Steve is truly an animal whisperer. He takes you on a journey through his wildlife refuge where you see him encounter wolves, bears, porcupines, wolverines, caribou and more. You’ll even get the opportunity to kiss and/or feed a caribou and pet a porcupine.
Steve is one of the most eccentric personalities I’ve ever met. He also cares for the animal deeply and it shows. One bonus was the boat ride and bus ride to the refuge. We had beautiful scenery and great guides. This is an excursion you will not regret!
Absolutely top excursion - this is what you want to see in Alaska. Orphaned animals are rescued and in their native environment. Literally “ a wolverine on a tether” Lynx, Artic Fox, mink, Marten, and a Brown (Grizzly) Bear. Outstanding people and great trip. When I say 10+ I’m not kidding....... Go for it!
I just wanted to thank Steve for what he does and for giving me the experience of a lifetime. I can honestly say that my visit to the Wildlife Center was the highlight of my Alaska cruise. Sure I enjoyed seeing the glaciers and experiencing the Alaskan towns, but my visit to the Wildlife Center was the coupe de gras! I have been collecting moose things for quite some time. So kissing Karen and getting a picture of it meant a lot to me. I just want to thank Steve for a wonderful visit and the opportunity to kiss a moose. I loved seeing all the other animals and taking pictures of them. I also enjoyed how Steve featured each of the animals and made it a personal experience. We also visited a wildlife reserve on our Denali tour extension, but there were just animals and signs, nothing like Steve's place. So thank you a million times over! It is a wonderful thing he does for the animals AND for the humans visiting them. I left there with such a warm feeling that lasted for days! I'll always remember my experience there and have lots of great pictures to help.
Absolutely a once in a lifetime experience (that I hope to repeat if I ever get the chance)!!! Steve’s passion for animals and his bond with those he has saved is truly something special to witness. As a huge fan of Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet as a kid, I immediately jumped at the chance to do this tour on my Alaska vacation and I’m so unbelievably happy I did. No one else I know can say they’ve howled with a wolf pup, kissed a reindeer, or pet a porcupine, but now those are memories I’ll have forever. Thank you Steve and the Kroschel crew!!!
-Rachel from Boston 6/15/22
I can't say enough about how fun and interesting this tour is. I'm from PA and booked this through a cruise I was on. I love animals and could tell the animals that live here are very well taken care of and loved. Steve and Patrick are lovely people who made me feel like they cared about the visitors and wanted to make sure we all got our "fill" of each animal. Patrick even stayed behind and gave me extra time with Duck (the moose) because I was in awe and couldn't stop petting him. I would recommend this tour to anyone going to that part of Alaska.
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Many issues here. First 45 min boat ride. Second 45 min bus ride. If I would have know about the three hour travel time I would not have gone. Third you are basically in this dudes yard for 90 mins. The enclosures are make shift. A pallet was a door to one area. Yes you get to see a moose, a bear, caribou, wolf, mink, red tail hawk, snow owl, and maybe a wolverine. Go to a zoo you will have better views and be more organized. If animal planet did not call it one of their exclusive I would not have went. Well my high regard for animal planet fell a lot today.