Wolf Sanctuary of PA Reviews

What an awesome experience! We went on our tour with a small group of about 20 people, and an awesome guide named Starr. The wolves smelled us all coming and started howling to communicate that new people were in the area. What an amazing sound!! Our guide was very informative with a bit of humor mixed in. She provided lots of information regarding wolves in general, but she also gave specific information and stories regarding each individual Wolf we saw. We will definitely return.

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable tour. Our guide, Michele, was very informative and obviously cares a great deal about the wolves. We learned so much from her.

If you love animals, especially wolves, you don't want to miss this sanctuary. The animals are well cared for and each little family of 2 or 3 wolves or wolf/dogs have 3 acres of land to roam. Appropriate for children who are old enough to be able to listen to the tour guide and not run or jump or make loud noises.

A number of wolves came out near the fence to check us out, even though it was a very hot day. Near the end, one of the females began to howl. Soon, other wolves were answering her. A perfect end to a wonderful experience!

Michele said the wolves are most active in cooler weather, so come back in the Fall or Winter. We are going to try and come back in the Fall.

Friendly, professional staff, excellent guide who shared a multitude of wolf stories as well as academic information about wolves and the facility

We had a knowledgeable guide and learned a lot. This is a worthwhile organization which provides a fun experience for families.

What a great day! Our volunteer guide was extremely knowledgeable, and she let our group ask lots of questions which was so helpful. I highly recommend going! While we were two adults, it's a great outing for anyone from ages 8 on - and it is not strenuous. The literature gives very good information as well. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by kind, caring, and helpful volunteers.

Our tour guide was Starr, and she was amazing, knowledgeable,and friendly. Loved the stories and educational information she shared about the wolves. The sanctuary is beautiful! We attended on the warm day so we did not see as many wolves as we would have liked. The wolves seem very well cared for. Our tour was a little bit over an hour and we had the opportunity to visit the gift shop at the end of the tour. We enjoyed our visit!

We read about the Wolf Sanctuary of PA and booked a 90 minute guided tour. It was a beautiful fall day, perfect for a walk in the woods. As our guide was introducing herself and giving us instructions, we heard the welcoming howl of quite a number of wolves. As we went by each enclosure, we were given the back story of how the pair of wolves came to the sanctuary. Some were curious, others shy and didn't want to come to the fence. The guide provided us with many things that we didn't know about wolves and wolf hybrids, giving us an education of why they end up at the sanctuary. I would recommend visiting if you're interested in wildlife or just want to know more about wolves. The tour was informative and certainly conveyed how much the people at the sanctuary care about the animals and want them to live their best lives there.

A truly wonderful 90 minute experience. Our guide provided great insight into the wolves at the sanctuary. Several of the wolves made an appearance and “Max” was good enough to start a howling dialogue. A fun time for 3 generations!

After reading a few books about wolves in recent years, my interest led my wife and I to visit the wolf sanctuary yesterday (Thursday). I didn’t know what to expect. I can happily report that we had a great visit with a 14 year veteran volunteer tour guide named Denny. All of the wolves we saw (about 20) seemed as happy as they could be. Denny knew where they had all come from and their circumstances leading to them being there. He knew their histories since being in the sanctuary. It seemed that we saw as many as could be expected on the public tour. We witnessed howling as well. I would go back again.

I believe they stated 58 wolves that were either born there (6) or rescued. Nice walking between the pens that are large enough to allow the wolves to roam free within. Guided tour tells you the story and age of each and there is a gift shop.
Hints. Take a camera and good walking shoes. Some trails are steep. Wolves are most active when the weather gets cooler.
If you are staying at the b&b you do the tour for free. You may also adopt a wolf (you can’t take home) and help with the care and maintenance of these wonderful creatures.
Interesting tip. They have a bite force of 1500 pounds. More than twice of a dog so these are not to be pets

Such a great tour of the Wolf Sanctuary of PA! The staff were all so friendly and our tour guide Melinda was incredible! Full of information to share and you can tell she absolutely loves the wolves/wolf dogs that she interacts with. We got to see plenty of the wolves and she was even able to get one to howl with her, it was so awesome! My daughter loves wolves and so we surprised with the tour, and she loved every moment! Definitely recommend anyone thinking of visiting to do so...you will love it! we went on an incredibly hot day(90°), some areas offered shade, but there is some time out in the open without shade..so if your sensitive to the heat, I wouldn't go in the hot summer months.

This was our 2nd visit here the 1st was 5-6 years ago and was one of the Full moon tours. This was a regular guided tour, and all I can say is wow. Our guide Michelle was really informative and passionate about the wolves, and in wolves in general. She told us about not only the wolves there, but about wolves in general.It was a really hot day and she told us we may not see as many wolves, we saw just about all that were on the tour. She was always asking if everyone was felling ok, and was ensuring that everyone kept drinking and filling their water at the water stations. Whether you enjoy wolves or not you gotta come here

The Wolf Sanctuary was a beautiful, peaceful place. Our tour guide was an older gentleman who has worked with these wolves for many years and clearly has a love for them and a passion for what he does. He knows them by names and told us stories about them. I wish that we could have gotten a closer view of them. Only a few came up close to the gate. It would have been nice to see them fed. Bring binoculars for a better view and wear boots because it is very muddy.

Simple walking tour with very knowledgeable and engaging tour guide. Definitely worth it. Four teenagers and parents were all entertained and educated.

What a special place, truly. I assumed going in that the tour would be cute (and it was) but the stories shared about some of their wolves were just heart wrenching, yet heartwarming. All of these animals are nurtured with love and have the proper environment/conditions that a wolf would ever need. Please support this non-profit if ever traveling through Pennsylvania, or support them with donations whenever you can.
We will be coming back for another tour and will continue to support in anyway possible.

We have been to the wolf sanctuary a couple of times and thoroughly enjoy it. It's very educational, especially for teenagers. We've come to realize that each guide may tell the story differently, but always informative. Once they got one wolf howling, they all joined in. You can not beat the price for 1-2 hours of educational fun.

Nice to see wild animals up close. Our guide, Michele, was very informative and enthusiastic about her "job". She truly loves the wolves and relays that to her group.

The best time to go and see the wolves is in the winter they are active and pretty with their winter coats on.I have been there three time and the private tour is the best

We really enjoyed this. Seeing the wolves & wolfdogs was quite an experience. Michelle was so informative. Her love and enthusiasm for the animals was very evident. She is a gem. When they all howled together was the neatest thing. I would suggest going when the foilage is not an issue. Donations keep this refuge operating.

wolves were a great view we really enjoyed them the bed and breakfast was also great the host showed us a great time

We visited family in Lancaster who weren't even aware the Wolf Sanctuary existed! This is off the beaten track and the gorgeous countryside is worth the drive down winding country roads.

The public tour was extremely well organized and manned by dedicated volunteers. With reservations you can book a private tour--check their website for days and hours. There are very limited days for tours so as not to disturb the wolves too much and this is a very small private facility, too.

The facility is laid out over hilly terrain so wear your hiking boots. The volunteers were highly knowledgeable and we learned so much! It was obvious that the wolves were loved and appreciated. Also, the money paid for the tour goes towards the high cost of keeping the wolves in such a pleasant environment --many would not have a home without this sanctuary--that alone made it a "feel-good" trip.

It was a fun experience. We visited on a very hot day and the wolves were somewhat shy. But Jill, our guide, knew a ton about the animals, their history, and behavior. It was especially fun for my 11-year-old daughter.

We can recommend this to any animal lovers!

The private tour is a must if you want to see all 50+ wolves. Denny was our tour guide, and his 13 years of service made him very knowledgeable. It was easy to sense the different personalities, as Denny was very good with all of the wolves. Thank You for a great experience!!

We loved this tour…it was our first time seeing a wolf & it didn’t disappoint! They are amazing animals & we were given so much information about them …well worth it!

Great time on a very cold day. Guide was excellent. Wolves and wolf-dogs were wonderful. Plan your visit. BNB and cabins on site, too.

What an informative visit. We were able to score one of the private tours and had Mandy as a guide for nearly 2 hours. She was amazing! With over 15 years of volunteer experience, she knew all the wolves by name and shared a wealth of details. The end of March was a perfect time to visit since the wolves were visible with no foliage, plus they were active in the cool temperatures. It was a leisurely walk around the beautiful grounds. You came away feeling positive about the care of these animals. If lucky, you will even hear one initiate a howl that dominoes to the others...so cool!

There were only 5-8 wolves to see that were sleeping. The wolves looked lifeless and one of them was so old it could barely lay down because it was in pain. That wasn’t what I was expecting to see. This is a self guided “tour” that is anything but exciting. The grounds looked barren of wildlife and not well taken care of. We will not be going back.

This place was amazing. The wolves were active and our tour guide Star was incredible! She knew so much about each and every wolf. We loved our experience there!!

I can't speak highly enough about the Wolf Sanctuary of PA! We drove up from Baltimore on a Sunday morning, me and my two adolescent kids. It was well into the 90's and felt like it was beyond 100. But our tour guide, Michelle, (who we later found out was also the artist responsible for some awesome pieces for sale int he gift shop) was awesome and kept everyone engaged and interested despite the sweltering conditions. She was knowledgable (we learned the real reason wolves howl during full moons, I won't spoil it), patient and kind. the facilities were clearly well maintained and their focus, the health and well-being of the wolves, was evident. This is not a place of exploitation, it is a place of love and compassion. We, the humans, are visitors who are being granted a privilege, and I feel lucky to have experienced it. I fully plan to go back!

We visited for a Thursday morning tour. It was a wonderful experience. We ended up arriving 30 minutes late, but they still accommodated us. They are all volunteers there, working for the benefit of these rescued wolves. I would highly recommend this tour.

This was a very informative and educational experience. Was cold and wet but still had a great time. Ross was a great tour guide and was a wealth of knowledge. He tried to learn everyone's name during the tour even though it was only for a couple hours.

I highly recommend this to everyone that is interested in learning more about the wolves themselves, the sanctuary, and the basic information regarding wolves.

Our guide pretended either on purpose of ignortantly to be an expert, however he made so many biology, genetic, medical, behavioral mistakes that the visit was sad. I suggest the guides stick to the names of animals only as they [at least the individual we had] are providing so much wrong information that they [he] is doing more harm than good.

We really enjoyed the tour Denny our guide was really informative he knew all the wolves by name and the different traits of each one we would definitely recommend this tour .

The tour guide Michelle was very informative, could answer all of our questions, and had a big heart for the wolves. learned a lot of things about the majestic creatures.

Visiting this sanctuary was educational and rewarding. The magnificent wolves are respected and well cared for. Being able to see them in a semi-natural environment, doing what they normally do is awesome. Knowing they are safe and sound and will live their lives free from the threats that would exist in the wild (and some are rescued from horrid captivity situations), while allowing them to feel as if they are in the wild is such a worthy cause to support. Please visit. We loved it!

My 14 year old grandson has been very interested in wolves for years so this was a trip we were both looking forward to. He lives in Georgia and comes to visit once a year—this was definitely the highlight of our week! Though we did not get to see all of the wolves and wolf-dogs, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We loved the ‘habitats ‘ the sanctuary provides for these animals, most of which were previously abused by humans so it’s understandable that they are leery of humans. Our guide, Michele, was very informative and helpful. She had a lot of patience and answered all our questions and provided the history of many of the animals. We chose not to do the group tour, and for us that was absolutely the right decision. It’s definitely worth the extra few bucks you pay. I would be remiss if I did not mention that the items in the gift shop are very reasonably priced and the proceeds go toward caring for these precious animals. Something to keep in mind, if you are looking for a zoo-type experience, this probably is not for you.

I too felt it to be an uncomfortable visit... but because the place is not well maintained and falling apart. Although the volunteer was a bit knowledgable about the names of the wolves, she was unprofessional telling stories that were probably intended to be confidential and not meant to be repeated. If the grounds and animals had been in better condition and the building housing the gift shop ready for public view... then I would reconsider my review... but this was not the case. Sadly, my $95 for the tour was going to do little good for the operation much less the animals.

It was only because of a book left in our hotel room that we saw this place advertised.
We went on the off chance that they could fit us in.
They were lovely accommodating people. We were able to join the tour with a great guide called Karl.
The tour lasts about 90 minutes and it’s very informative.
All off the money goes to help with the upkeep of the sanctuary and the wolves.
Great job.

The tour at the Wolf Sanctuary was the highlight of our trip to the area. Denny was an amazing guide. He is very knowledgeable and gave the group a lot of information. This is an activity that you don’t want to miss!

The setting is a beautiful and in tune with nature. The tour was an informative 90 minutes of walking and learning. We got an appreciation for these magnificent creatures and the nonprofit that cares for them. You can make an entire day of your visit to the quaint town of Lititz.

Had a great time learning about and seeing real wolves. Note that they will only take people until the parking lot is full. On a weekend, maybe 200+ people only. You can wait outside before the gate is open. The guides are all friendly and informative. Note that it is outdoors so it can get hot if it's warm outside. There are water coolers for you to fill your bottles located throughout the property though. Downsides: When the weather is hot, the wolves won't come out as much. You will mostly see them lying around. Also, the parts that are open to the public is actually not that big. There is only like four stations you can go to.

Not at all elder or disabled accessible. Steep, rocky walk with no handrails at lower part of trail. Only saw 5 out of 50 wolves. Very disappointing, not worth the money.

I would recommend going towards winter when all the leaves are off the trees and the vegetation has died from frost because then you will see the wolves plus they are more active in cooler weather .if you go in summer like we did the wolves lay under all the bushes to stay cool and you don't get to see as many . But I can't complain because we still had a wonderful time , and ask for michele she is amazing . So informative, such a great sense of humor and all around great tour guide .she got the wolves to howl which was awesome to hear . Im going back in the winter to do the private tour because the regular tour only shows you some of the wolves but the private more expensive tour you get to walk around to all of the wolves . You can tell the people who volunteer here love what they do !!

I went on the full moon tour with my husband. I had wanted to go to this event for awhile but it sells out quickly. The wolf sanctuary is overall a very nice place. The full moon tour is a very short tour (less than 40min) with a tour guide. We were only allowed up a small walkway near 3 wolf enclosures. We did see a few wolfs, 4 wolves came up close to the fence to view. This tour was not of the entire property. I felt a little deceived that it was not in the booking information that we would only be shown a very small portion of the property and have very limited chance to visualize the wolves. There were several other parties at the tour that felt the same. We were told we needed to book a private tour to be able to walk around and see all the enclosures. If your going to go and see the wolves you definitely want the private tour. The full moon tour was not much of an experience even though the idea seems neat.

We love the Wolf Sanctuary! This was our second time there. The wolves are beautiful and the volunteers are very knowledgeable. We heard lots of howling this time, which was a beautiful sound.

Absolutely amazing Full Moon Tour. We got to see about 10 of the wolves and hear them be extremely active with their howls. Definitely looking forward to going back soon!

As a way of background regarding my experience at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, this was my 3rd trip to Pennsylvania from Virginia since the fall of 2019, specifically to go to the sanctuary. Each time I go I want to stay longer and longer and learn more and more! The first time was in the Fall, I participated in a public tour back to back with a private; the second time was in the Winter, I participated in 3 back to back private tours over 3 days, and this time for my birthday in June I actually stayed on the grounds at Speedwell Forge B&B in the Summer Kitchen cottage for 4 days! I participated in a public tour and a private tour. More importantly, as a guest on the premise you are allowed to walk the perimeter of the grounds from dawn to dusk freely! This was perfect since I had adopted Achilles and his siblings, Running Bear and Watonie and they were visible on this path. I went to their enclosure a few times a day , spending long periods of time just sitting and watching them. They are so majestic and their mere presence warmed my heart with love!!

The Wolf Sanctuary of PA is very professionally run and maintained. The grounds are absolutely lush and beautiful . The wolves live in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat and roam freely. This is most definitely not a "zoo environment". One can also observe all kinds of raptors, birds and rabbits etc. in the surrounding area. The sanctuary's number one priority is the care and maintenance of the wolves. They go to great lengths to ensure that the needs of the wolves are met in all weather conditions, and that any particular physical requirements are met by designing whatever extra facilities is required.

In the the 5 private tours and 2 public tours I've had, I found that the guides were extremely personable, full of enthusiasm, knowledge and energy! Additionally, each tour guide had their own personal area of expertise outside of the sanctuary that augmented the tours and made each tour unique! They took their time, answered any questions and were quite informative about the history of the sanctuary. I found it interesting to hear the rescue stories of the wolves, some heartwarming, some heartbreaking! But you can be at peace now knowing that each wolf is blessed to be in the best environment possible, and in a home where they are truly loved!

For those wanting to bring back a special memory of the sanctuary , they have a small gift shop to accommodate your interests. The clothing is very high quality and reasonably priced. They have something for everyone; children's book, artistic jewelry with actual wolf fur, pictures, mugs etc. And you can be comforted knowing that 100% of the funds from your purchase goes towards taking care of the wolves.

As I mentioned this was my birthday getaway, and my stay at Speedwell Forge B&B was my gift to myself! I couldn't think of a better place i wanted to be. The Summer Kitchen was warm and cozy and luxurious at the same time. It even had a whirl pool which I totally took advantage of after walking the grounds all day. I never wanted to leave the Sanctuary except to get dinner and bring it back. In the morning Dawn, the owner, prepared the most amazing gourmet breakfasts from scratch. She even catered it to my dietary concerns. I loved to eat breakfast outside because about that time the wolves were being fed and I could hear them howling with anticipation/delight. I heard them throughout the day, and in the evening too. It was so surreal!

Dawn and her staff are kind, generous, caring and very knowledgeable about wolves and all wildlife in general. I loved talking to them about everything. They are such interesting conversationalists! They do amazing work at the sanctuary every day. The continue to provide all the food and needed medical attention to the wolves, despite limited funds during the pandemic. The care for each wolf has if they were the only one. Additionally, they carefully study their psychological needs, and try to ensure each wolf is matched with the right companion. They maintain a healthy and safe environment for the all the animals and guests on the premise.

Each of my three visits to the Wolf Sanctuary of PA were extraordinary in their own way. Certainly staying on the grounds and in the lovely Summer Kitchen was the pinnacle experience!! However, if you are just going for the day, go in the winter when it's snowing! The wolves have their full winter coat and it's magical!!!

I had been wanting to visit the Wolf Sanctuary for quite a while, then Covid hit and I honestly wondered if I'd ever get to see those awesome wolves in person! This past Thurs. my wait was over, and it was more incredible than I ever imagined. Our guide, Linda, was so interesting and personable as she introduced us to each wolf and gave their histories. Some of their histories were sad, but what a different life awaited these Wolves thanks to the staff at the Sanctuary. How amazing is this? When our tour started, the Wolves began their evocative howling on their own, almost as if they were welcoming our group into their homes! I commend the staff, volunteers, and the owners who sought to give these magnificent (and very intelligent) Wolves a place to be safe and cared for during their lives. I could have stayed all day, but the tour runs for an hour and a half, and then the staff and volunteers tend to their packs with much love and caring. You can stay at the Bed and Breakfast which is right on the property, and tour the lovely grounds on your own. We wanted to see more of Lititz, so we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express instead. If you have any interest at all in Wolves, do yourself a favor and visit this amazing place. You won't be sorry!

My adult son and I visited the sanctuary and took a private tour. We both had an outstanding time. We saw and photographed nearly every wolf during our private tour. The sanctuary is very professionally run and managed which left us feeling like every rescued animal, wolf or wolf dog, was loved and well cared for. We will be back.

My husband and I traveled to Pennsylvania from Wisconsin and spent several days in the Lancaster area before continuing on to the coast. We had no problems locating the establishment by just following our GPS. The wolf sanctuary tours was advertised as being a 1 hour tour but I think we were there for almost 2 hours. Don't go if you are thinking it is going to be like a zoo. The animals are in habitats that have a lot of vegetation and are sometimes hard to spot. The day we were there, it was hot and sticky and most of the wolves were laying in shaded areas and hard to see. We were led by Russ one of the volunteer guides. He gave us wonderful information about the animals that are cared for on the property and the social structures of wolves. It was very interesting. If you are interested in actually learning something, this is a GREAT tour. Younger kids might not do quite as well on this tour as it is a lot of information. There was another group of perhaps 6 & 7 year olds that were on a tour at the same time we were, and I am sure their guide made their tour more kid appropriate. Our group had mostly adults and mostly were very attentive. The ONLY disappointing thing was the handful of folks on our tour that weren't attentive.

The Wolf Sanctuary is impressive and inspiring. The animals are beautiful and so well cared for. We learned a lot and enjoyed seeing this wooded part of Lancaster county. Highly recommend!

Learned a lot about wolves. A wonderful experience. Our group tour leader, Dennis, was both knowledgeable and personable. Not “handicap accessible”, but not that strenuous. Walked about a mile (?) over an hour and a half with frequent stops to see the wolves and listen to the guide.

My wife and I went on the full moon tour 25 Nov 23. We had a great time . Seeing those beautiful and majestic animals is awesome any time day or night. The staff are knowledgeable and very friendly . They will answer all your questions. Thank You for a great time and most of all ,Thank You for what you all do for these beautiful animals. Glenn and Lisa P

What a wonderful gem we have in PA with the Wolf Sanctuary! The staff are fabulous: kind, friendly and extremely knowledgeable about their organization and every single wolf! Nick was out tour guide with Elaine as his extra set of eyes & ears. Both made the experience superb! Do bring sensible shoes for the walk! While it is a leisurely walk it can be rough terrain if not used to walking up & down inclines that are grassy, gravely and uneven. Kudos to the organization for the work it does! Worth a visit!

Good people and cause. We knew a bit about wolves so since the tour was heavy on guide monologuing it was less interesting to us. Walking was light & we stopped by 4 enclosures overall. Since it’s winter we did see 8-10 wolves/wolf-dogs (wolf / domestic dog breeding) but summer foliage could certainly reduce that probability. This is a sanctuary or rescue , not a zoo or a natural environment. As such you won’t see wolves in large packs. Many of the animals are rescued from homes/private owners. They separate them mostly in pairs to reduce conflict and they do not allow breeding. If you are interested in wildlife or preservation you’ll connect with the mission and staff as they are respectful and passionate. The property and general area around Speedwell is worth a 1/2 day trip for sure.

This was advertised as a tour only on weekends...it was totally underwhelming There were tons of people there, and we were told there were no individual tour groups...we could wander through at our own pace and there would be people stationed throughout. As a Tour Director, and Planner, I know this rarely works well. The problem is, the volunteers at the places were either answering someone's question, (which we couldn't hear), or they were tired of speaking or were in the middle of a story or conversation. Once we moved down to an area where a volunteer had been talking only to hear, "Now i'm going up here (where we had just left) ...the major wolf in that area had disappeared. We waited for a while...he didn't return. So, the few wolves we saw, were mostly sleeping...the biggest pack were sleeping all in the bushes...others were in the sunlight but sleeping as well. One volunteer said they would try and get the wolves to howl...never happened. There were supposedly babies...never saw them. I appreciated they had water set around, but basically it was a climb up a hill to see pens and some sleeping wolves. We heard some stories, but felt like we never really got a full picture or learned much about wolves. Either there were too many people for questions, or they were talking...also I was suprised that half the animals there were half dog. All in all, I took my 7 year old grandson, and we were both disappointed. If you advertise a "tour"...make it a tour...not a walk around and hope you hear some info amidst all the people. There was no signage to even read info. You could send people in in small groups, or do limited reservations or extend the hours of touring. Oh, and know the best time to go is in the fall, once the leaves are down. One thing I did learn from the station person. Sure wish I had known and waited.

The property is clean and well organized. The wolves are well cared for and the staff are all very knowledgeable and engaging. The public tour is a great way to get started but getting a private tour is the way to go. Nearby Lititz has plenty for a couple or the whole family to enjoy.

Not too many people can say they have seen wolves up close and personal but now I can! Visited the Sanctuary on 9/8/20 and Michelle was our guide. She is enthusiastic and truly passionate about her volunteering at the sanctuary. She is also a great source of information not only on the wolves but on the history of the sanctuary itself. If you are heading up to the Lancaster area, I highly recommend this pit stop. The tour only takes about 90 minutes but the experience is like none other and when you hear the wolves howl to each other it is such a peaceful experience. There is also a bed and breakfast on the grounds where you can roam at your leisure so we are going to check that out as well. Enjoy!

I had been planning to go to The Wolf Sanctuary for a while and had booked a tour for Tue the 10th of March. I arrived a little early and had to wait for them to open the gates, my fault not thier's. Went in and parked and was pointed to the office to check in and receive my wristband. Our tour guide, Melinda started on time and we got the safty briefing and some history of the sanctuary. Went to the first enclosure where they have 2 wolf dogs, male and female. Both beautiful and well cared for. We where taken up and around to see about 8 inclosures and the all of the wolves in them. It was a 2 hour tour I won't forget. There is no interaction between the guests and the wolves, only by the guides. That is for your safty as well as the wolves. At the end you had a chance to go to the gift shop or leave when you are ready to go. All in all I was very impressed and awed by this tour and the caretakes love of these fine animals. March isa great time to go as the vegatation hasn't grown in and you can them better.

A must see place if you love and are interested in any information of wolves. The staff is very knowledgeable.

This is not worth the money. Its a quick walk thru for 35 bux. They said guided tours its more of a u walk thru and people are kind of just standing there. Walk thru takes 10 mins. Also they said the money goes towards liability like lawsuits from people slipping and falling. Not really helping the wolves. They said the food is mostky donated to them. I would not want to go again. I stopped to take a pic of a wolf sleeping in some brush and one of the volunteers told me to keep moving. Also they said they dont allow u to recird video because certain things can be taken out of context.

This place is well worth checking out. Wolves that have been "pets" where people can no longer care for them are placed here to live out their lives. They are were cared for and the staff is very knowledgable. If you are the area of Lititz, PA, stop and see the wolves and support their efforts.

By far one of the greatest places to visit. The wolves are beautiful and the guides are very knowledgeable. But go when it's cold. The wolves do not like the heat too much and may stay hidden where it is cool.

What an amazing place I never knew existed!!! An absolute must!! Most breathtaking creatures.Denny🙏🏼🤘🏼, thank you, sir!!!! ..14 years of volunteering with his wife, and a plethora of knowledge one could not find in a book alone. Wolves from all over our country and Canada, folks! Wolf Awareness Day, October 15!!!! Be there if you are remotely in the area. If you have any love of animals/nature/the wild/ our forests and mountains you will not be disappointed. If for some reason you do not connect to a single story as each story belonging to each wolf should touch your soul then at least you MAKE the day a great day for yourself in nature alone or with friends/family. And such a quaint close-by town for lunch and strolling/shopping/window browsing🥰 Being a life PSU alum and returning to the area not quite 20 yrs ago I thought I’d seen mostly all of what PA has to offer….whoa!
Wolf Sanctuary and the beautiful story of ‘pack love’(human family and wolf alike) has def won our hearts!!! Thank you again, Denny for all of the time you spent with us and Dawn, I hope to meet you and maybe even your mama come October.
Howling w love(smiles) and with respect,
The Webb’s

Russ was an excellent tour guide! He was very knowledgeable and made the trip fun for our whole family! Thanks so much for letting us see and learn about the wolves!

What an incredible experience! We chose the private tour and our guide, Melinda, was just terrific. We were introduced to the wolves, heard all their back stories (so many are heartbreaking), learned about the time and care that goes into matching up individuals into packs and how they build out the spaces to create as natural an environment as possible, and we marveled at the wolves calm demeanor and positive interaction with Melinda. And then, back at Speedwell Forge B&B, we sat outside and enjoyed the magical serenade of the wolf packs while we munched on dinner. This was truly an amazing adventure and we highly recommend it!

This experience was incredible! We learned so much about these beautiful creatures and their fight to stay alive. The animals are well cared for and continue to be leary of humans which is a good thing!! These animals will never be released due to their prior experiences with humans so they really hit the captive wolf jackpot by coming here. Our guide Starr was so knowledgable and fun! Once in a lifetime experience for sure!!

The self-guided tour was great! While there the volunteers truly express their love for the wolves. It was so touching! I love how Mr. Denny explain that what you see in the movies doesn't hold the truth to these loving animals. My favorite wolf was Anastasia. Although she wasn't on the tour she would constantly make appearances while galloping in her enclosure. Oooh I almost forgot the gift shop is terrific. I brought a few items from there...

This was an excellent visit! The Wolf Sanctuary is awesome! Our tour guide, Star, was terrific! She was very friendly and knowledgeable! I highly recommend visiting if you're in the area!

I adopted two of the wolves for my Grandaughters for Christmas Spirit and Mika.
We had been wanting to go for sometime - although we were on a waiting list we were able to go Sunday. Our guide Melinda was amazing - she was loving and kind interacting with the wolves - and very nice to my Grandaughters. Melinda answered our questions and the best part - She took us to see Spirit and Mika last so we could spend a little more time with them - and even they were so cooperative and ran down to see us . My Grandaughters ( 13 and 10 ) we so blessed. We will be going back - I am planning to go for the adult Full Moon visit -

My sister and I visited the Wolf Sanctuary and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our tour group had 25 people in it. (Masks were not required since we were outside, which I found a little disappointing.) Our guide, Michelle, was wonderful. Her enthusiasm and love for the animals was evident. Her tour was informal and she was knowledgeable about each wolf. We were lucky enough to hear them howl, which she said was unusual for the morning tour. We saw several different wolves; some were right up to the interior fence. We were behind a second fence about 8' apart, but I was able to get some good pictures. Other wolves were farther away and a pair (that Michelle said were rarely seen) were briefly seen on a hilltop. Strongly recommend.

This is a great place to learn about wolves and see these beautiful animals. So glad this sanctuary was established to keep these animals safe and receive great care from all of the volunteers. The wolves are well fed and treated with respect.

Russ our tour guide was very knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to see the wolves Hawu means Dove..

We participated in a group tour and had a wonderful Saturday morning visit! Our guide, Kaylee, was knowledgeable and engaging and answered all of our questions! We heard the history of the wolves we saw, as well as the mission of the sanctuary, and enjoyed seeing them in their environment. What a great experience!

I fell in love with the wolves and, also, our tour guide, Linda, at this gorgeous sanctuary. What an inspiring B&B for out-of-towners!

My husband and I came home in awe of these intelligent and playful animals and their wildly beautiful and sensitively maintained habitat. Impressively knowledgable and enthusiastic caregivers know each wolf's unique story and characteristics, and care for them as if they were their own beloved pets. We're telling everyone we know to visit this heart-opening sanctuary and fall in love.

We have visited 4-5 wolf refuges around the US over the years. As we are always concerned about the well being of the animals first and foremost, we were both very impressed with the excellent conditions and care provided to the wolves in this sanctuary. The runs are spacious and great care is taken to give them the most natural environment as possible. We appreciated the time that Denny, an extremely knowledgable and long-tenured volunteer, gave to us and the deep affection he clearly demonstrated towards the wolves as he described each one and their lives before and after they arrived in the sanctuary.
This sanctuary is in a natural outdoor environment (which we love); if you visit, be sure to wear shoes that can tolerate getting muddy. We both wore our hiking boots and were just fine.

Mandy, our tour guide, and who we requested, was as excellent as we expected she'd be!
My wife and I were able to see many more wolves than we were allowed to see on the two Public Tours we took in the past. We were not rushed at all, any questions we had were answered, and Mandy was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and the wolves loved her!

What a fabulous way to see and learn about these magnificent misunderstood animals - in a natural habitat

This is a great place to visit!!! The wolves have proper care and are given proper respect as they are wild animals. They have large naturalistic enclosures that look like they just fenced in a forest! The wolves are not forced to be out in the open. In addition, all wolves are rescues so you can rest assured that they were not stolen from their mothers for your entertainment! 100% reccomend.

Beautiful day and a fantastic view of these wonderful creatures. So glad we came. Have a wedding coming up in the Lititz area in 2026 and will make sure that the family come and visit this Santuary during our stay.

My toddlers were so excited to visit and then our first interaction was with our tour guide whos mask wasn't on despite having asked if everyone would be masked and being told yes. Then the tourguide relentlessly singled out a woman who clearly stated she did not want to be "pack leader" and made it very clear multiple times she wanted to be left alone. In addition the micro aggressions that were flying out of his mouth made me super uncomfortable. This tour is also not for toddlers and when I mentioned that I was told yeah we usually say age 7 and up but that is NOT indicated anywhere on the website. The poor wolves also looked so sad and depressed. Overall an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience.

The wolf's are in small areas, actually too small. My dog has more room to walk and they pace back and forth..it was a horrible experience to me. The wolves need to be wild and not here!

This is an amazing visit to see wolves in a great setting with people that are passionate and informative about these wonderful animals. It is worth the visit and this was my second trip. I have no doubt I will go back as you will learn new facts every trip. Our guide, Russ, was very enjoyable and the time flew past.

This was our first trip to the wolf sanctuary. They split the group and a tour guide walks with you and talked about the wolves. I think we went on the hottest day of the year, which was a mistake. We only saw about four animals and only one was actually walking around. The guide was interesting we learned a lot. We will go back in colder weather, I think it would be much better. Also, be ready to hike some.

What they do for these wolves is great. But it breaks my heart to see them confined.
The day we were there the wolves were howling. So cool.
Very limited tour, space wise. Just up one road. I I envisioned more open space. Trails walked by the wolves worn into their enclosures and just dirt areas. (hopefully due to its winter)
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and very caring for the wolves. She had the group move when wolves seemed stressed
Small gift shop, could be laid out better
I won’t go back. Too sad

A sanctuary is to be a place of refuge and protection, but this one allows its wolves and wolf hybrids to reproduce, I assume so there’s a supply for visitors to view. This turns this “sanctuary” into a captive breeding program. Our guide was clearly uncomfortable when I asked if all of the wolves were spayed or neutered and responded that they are not. I DO NOT RECOMMEND SUPPORTING THIS BUSINESS

This is an excellent tour. If you are an animal lover you will love it,. I certainly did. The guide was knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor. My husband and I felt comfortable with a small group, masks, and distancing. I highly recommend this tour. You will learn a lot about wolves and wollf dogs. Ticket sales help support this fine cause.

Very knowledgeable and pleasant guide. It's clear that providing a safe home for the beautiful animals that would otherwise be euthanized is very important to the staff and volunteers. We learned a great deal and enjoyed seeing a few of the animals.

We visited the sanctuary midweek, the first week in December. There were only around 20 people, so the number was divided into two groups, and each toured with a separate guide. It was great to see the animals in such a healthy environment, and the guide was extremely knowledgeable and informative. It was a great experience, and I highly recommend it.

The tour was well organized and informative. I would recommend any time but summer for a visit. The foliage is so dense, we really saw very few wolves.

This was an outstanding experience! Mandy, our private tour guide, is passionate about the wolves and knows them as if they were part of her family!! She spoke of each wolf as an individual by name, sharing their birth date, age, rescue story, and habits. The wolves are so loved and well taken care of! We saw sooo many wolves and even heard some howl! We can't wait to go back again this winter, the wolves' favorite season! I highly recommend a private tour as it is so personal!

We were so excited to find this place only to be totally let down. It was supposed to be a guided tour but ended up being a self guided tour. By the description we thought it was this huge place only to be 5 close big pens. Other than the hybrid wolves that had owners and came out mostly when called we only saw 2 other wolves that were sleeping in the sun or under the brush. it was very disappointing. The guides were just telling us stories and we could barely hear them as there were tons of loud kids around and their voices were not loud enough to carry. If you want to see wolves you have a better chance of watching National Geo on TV. Don't waste your money

This was a wonderful family outing! Would highly recommend! Melinda was a fabulous guide! Very informative! Was hoping to see more wolves but the ones we saw were awesome!

This private sanctuary takes in wolves from around the country who have been illegally held, mistreated, abandoned, etc. and helps them recover. They live in small groups or packs on a large territory. You can walk along a path with a double protective metal fence, which permits the wolves to come within a few yards of you. They are mostly shy, but many of them are actually wolf-dogs who are more likely to be curious about humans. Occasionally they howl. Our 10:00 am Saturday public tour began with an informative talk by a volunteer. This is a good cause and suitable experience for young and old. There is a gift shop with books, clothing, and other souvenirs. There is a charge for the tour.

The guide Kristin was very informative with a touch of humor!
I could tell we all enjoyed our tour!!
We were so lucky to have experienced all!!

Private tours are best ever. So much knowledge from my guide Denny. Rescuing and caring for these many wolves is not an easy task. As they say it takes a village. To everyone at sanctuary I thank you and so appreciate and love all you do. Majestic these wolves are and the whole sanctuary howling is something I could sit and listen to all day

It was my 2nd time at the wolf sanctuary. They offer 1.5 hour tours where you get to see some of the 50+ wolves. The tour guides are very passionate about the wolves and protecting them. It is well worth the time and cost to visit the wolves and support what they are doing to rescue them. I highly recommend coming to the wolf sanctuary of PA.

Had the best tour guide, ever. Lenny was so knowledgable of the wolves and answered every question that was asked. He has 13 years of working with the wolves and mingles well with them. Took my granddaughter, but I enjoyed it as much as she did. So glad we paid for the Tuesday tour and if we go back again, I think we could do the self guided walking tour, however you don't have access to as much as we saw. He recommended fall or winter visits and that's when we will go again.

My husband and I toured the sanctuary on June 4, 2019 and were so impressed by the facility, by the way the wolves were cared for and by the knowledge of our guide Russ. He totally engaged everyone in our group expounding on the various kinds of wolves, their habits, their dietary needs and lots of other information. It could have been boring but it was far from that! He was entertaining, informative and friendly. He remembered people's names and drew them in, making the whole tour an interactive experience. And when all 52 wolves began to howl, it was otherworldly! If you are ever in the Lititz PA area, we highly recommend this tour.

We had such a good experience! We had the full moon tour and got to hear the wolves howl! The bonfire and entertainment was a nice bonus. Came back the following day and had a guided tour with guide Start, who was so informative and told us lots of facts and anecdotes.

Planning a visit to the wolf sanctuary with my son has been on my bucket list for years! I was finally able to make the trip to the full moon fundraiser-beaver moon. It was a perfect night with clear sky’s and the brightest moon. I was excited and expecting to see plenty of wolves maybe even some howling at the moon followed by a nice time sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and live music. I spent $148 dollars (4 tickets) to walk down a 15 min path and see maybe about 6 wolves in which 3 were sleeping. The most active wolf was a wolf dog who was previously domesticated. Most areas were restricted and it was too dark to really see anything. I was hoping to at least sit by the fire since it was very cold. Nope! I understand it is weather permitting and I am assuming with all the dry leaves it could be a fire hazard but it would have been nice if that was announced before arriving. We heard there was coffee (to purchase) at the end of the tour being served by a food truck. We waited on line for 20 min and it barely moved. We ended up leaving disappointed. The duration of this tour is listed as 2.5 Hours and the we spent 1 hr in which most of the time was waiting in line to get in (it was pretty crowded) and for coffee we didn’t even get. It was not worth it at all. I am hoping the money I spent on the tickets goes towards the wolves. Anyways maybe going in the daytime where you can actually see the wolves would be a better experience.

Very cool experience! Learned so much and was able to see many wolves. Wear comfortable shoes for trails and hills. Highly recommend.

We were lucky enough to be on the waiting list for a private tour. Rosemarie was very nice and very knowledgeable about the wolves. Nice gift shop which supports the sanctuary. Highly recommend!

My boyfriend and I had such an amazing experience at the sanctuary! Our tour guide was Melinda and she was absolutely amazing and answered all our questions and made the tour so interesting. She showed us all the wolves and gave us detailed facts and history of all the wolves. Hearing the wolves all howl at once was so cool as well! Definitely recommend this place for such a fun experience, it’d be a perfect date for couples!

The best part of the tour was when the wolves all howled in unison after our fabulous tour guide, Melinda, prompted them! Do not miss a chance to visit this wolf sanctuary and help preserve these majestic creatures. It was absolutely a wonderful and informative experience. I recommend going in colder weather as the trees are bare so it is easier to see these beauties and they are more active when it is colder. Our tour guide, Melinda, was fantastic - full of good information and has truly developed a love and rapport with the wolves. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Would love to go again, especially for the full moon experience. Please go and help support this worthy organization!

Discovered this only 20 minutes from my home thanks to a group of friends who organized a tour. Eight of us visited on a hot, humid day. The wolves still were moving around some and checked us out too, so we were able to see a dozen or so as we toured the sanctuary. Most were hidden in the trees though. Russ is a great tour leader with lots of info and background.
Pay attention to their guidelines for what to wear and bring. We followed guidelines and were prepared for the day and walk. It's moderately hilly on mostly gravel paths, a steep climb back to vehicles. The only thing I could have used was a cloth to wipe away sweat!

The tour we was given was amazing!! Very educational and unique. Seeing the wolves up close and hearing them communicate (howling) to one another was breathe taking. The level of care and attentiveness to these wolves is beautiful. The volunteers that work the tours are super passionate and you can see that in how they talk about them!! There was a fire afterwards and some live music!! So worth driving out to Lititiz to experience this!!!

Great place to visit for all ages.Did the full moon tour, they have music and a bonfire.Have gift shop on premises. Plenty of personnel to help with any questions, etc.

Our tour guide was Star. She was extremely knowledgeable. We would recommend this trip to anyone considering. We had some in our group needing a little extra time walking and never once did we feel rushed. We were able to experience the wolves howling during our tour and everyone thought that was pretty amazing. Recommend walking shoes and water if it's a hot day. April was a perfect time for us...not too cold or hot. Our tour was at 1030. A great time for anyone.

Unbelievable,terrific do not miss.

We had a great tour of this preservation wit over 54 wolfs.

Learn a lot and if you want to know about family’s come here and the wolfs will teach you

Can’t say enough about the tour guide and when she made the wolfs howl it was so cool.

Come see beautiful animals and they have a great B&B to boot

This is a 10 on the 5 scale.

Our private 2hr tour was AMAZING! Tour Guide Melinda walked us on a comfortable path past the large well-built/forested enclosures of the 56 wolves & wolf/dogs, some of whom socially popped over to the fence to happily greet her as we came near. Melinda shared the names, ages, detailed life histories, and how the wolves and wolf dogs paired in a living area- each enclosure often as large as 2 & 1/2 acres (👍🎉) - had been chosen and how the meetings/beginning of the new shared living relationships had been so carefully/safely accomplished. She also described delightful ways in which the volunteers at the Wolf Sanctuary enhance the lives of the rescued wolves & wolf/dogs with fun toys, multi-level platforms, ponds & pools, & interesting meat. This tour was not only a life-changing joy for us, it is a much-needed fund-raiser for this very much needed non-profit EXCELLENT agency! The Wolf Sanctuary is located in a lovely area of PA- we’ll be soon returning to hopefully enjoy a Full Moon Wolf Howl Fundraiser. Melinda and Wolf Sanctuary of Pa - you are FANTASTIC & it is so important you are there to support these wild wolves and wolf dogs!

Get your sturdy shoes or hiking boots ready to tour the preserve. You'll walk on stone pathways that have a moderate incline. This isn't for those who require any type of assistance walking or use a wheelchair or walker.

As you walk the path, the guides will tell you about the wolves and wolf/dog mixes. They rescue the wolf/dog mixes.

They can not guarantee how many wolves you will see. While they have over 50 on the property, expect to see about 10. It's a nice way to spend about 1-1.5 hours. You will not touch, pet or feed the animals.

There are no reservations and outdoor/portable toilets are the facilities. This would be good for families with children over 6.

Excellent walking tour seeing majestic wolves that are loved, well-cared for, and in a safe space to be their wild, wonderful selves. Great price especially for all you learn, see and hear. The wolves singing howls were so magical! There were people of all ages on the tours, and the knowledgeable tour guide answered everyone's questions. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The wolves themselves are thriving and really seem to enjoy being able to pop around to see the tour groups, but they also have plenty of room to chill out on their own if they prefer, which is ideal.

My husband and I stayed at Speedwell Forge's B&B on the property and highly recommend for a romantic combo weekend of checking out the cute downtown Lititz, seeing the wolves and enjoying nearby hiking.

We took a private tour for our family of 5. Our tour guide Mandy was super knowledgeable and friendly. She knew each wolf individually and shared their stories, personalities etc. We got to see many wolves/areas that aren't on the public tour. The animals were of course majestic to see up close. Mandy was able to answer all of our questions. Being right next to the enclosures when the wolves started howling was so awesome! The wolves are so well cared for here and the facility is up to date and safe for all. Highly recommend taking a personal tour for the fun/educational experience and as a way of supporting this wonderful sanctuary.

My daughter, four grandchildren, ages 15,12,13, and 11, and I took a 10am tour. We saw several families of wolves, which have been penned into individual wooded areas. The tour guides, who volunteer their time and have a ton of knowledge about these wolves, do an excellent job of keeping the interest of their group members. It is a unique attraction, which also increases one’s knowledge of animals that used to roam this country freely.

My husband and I went on a private tour of the Wolf Sanctuary with Melinda earlier this week. We had such a wonderful time. It was very apparent that the wolves are well-cared for and well-loved. Melinda was a wealth of information and knew the individual stories of each and every animal. You can tell that she has so much compassion for these beautiful animals. Be sure to wear sturdy walking shoes. Highly recommend the private tour!

What a FANTASTIC experience. The Wolf Sanctuary is a top notch sanctuary for wolves that have been in captivity and not fared well in their previous environment. The enclosures are large and the wolves are so well cared for through a ton of volunteers and donations or admission to the sanctuary. The animals receive regular vet check ups and get to live out their lives here. We were fortunate enough to stay at the B & B on the property and thus were able to partake not only in the public tour in the morning and the Full moon tour in the evening but were able to walk around the perimeter at our own pace and enjoy these magnificent creatures on our own. This is a must if you love wolves and appreciate the dedication of the owners and staff

Very knowledgeable staff that are happy to answer questions. We highly recommend going if you get the chance.

This place really has no business giving tours. I applaud what they are doing for the wolves. I am a consummate wildlife supporter so I am very grateful that they are trying to give the wolves back some dignity and let them be wild animals. So kudos to them for what they are doing for the wolves. That being said, this really isn’t a place that is conducive to taking a tour. I’ve been twice. The first time I went, many years ago, I remember seeing numerous wolves. The most recent time I went, I saw like 5. It was an extremely short walk up a hill and around a bend and then for some unknown reason, the tour stopped and turned back around without going any further. It was advertised as a two hour tour. We could’ve probably toured the whole grounds if we had not stopped and listened to endless chatter multiple times. And let me be clear, I do not expect this place to be a zoo. I do not expect this place to do anything to force the wolves to come into my view. I’m not a person who views animals for my own selfish pleasure. But, if you’re going to give tours, it really shouldn’t be that disappointing. That’s why I feel it should just remain a sanctuary and not a place where people can tour expecting to see wolves. Just shouldn’t even be part of their business model. And by the way, that idea that it is not a zoo was repeated ad nauseam by our guide. The tour seemed to be full of people who wanted to congratulate themselves on doing some thing worthwhile for nature and therefore relished repeated message about the mission. That actually seemed like it would be more appropriate to repeat that endlessly to people who would not understand such a mission. I didn’t need it forced into my brain that this was not a zoo. I already did not expect that.

I’m glad that my tour money went to proceeds for the wolves. But don’t pretend that this is really a place that lends itself to public tours.

I also was not told about this at the time of booking but apparently the day that we toured, the tour took a completely different path than the normal tour. Due to that, the wolves that were on that abnormal nonconventional tour path are going to be more reclusive than the others that are used to having tours. Now granted, they did this for the benefit of an injured wolf who paces when people come by and they don’t want her to get more injured. But they could’ve disclosed this when people booked the tour so that we knew we were not taking the normal tour route. Our guide was well well intentioned and nice, polite and personable but repeated herself over and over. Yes, I get it. This is all about the wolves. You don’t need to bang that into my head. Yes, I get it, you feed them in certain ways. It just was so much repeated information that I began to get restless as we stood to hear this for 10 minutes and I am not a person with a short attention span. There were times that the whole group would stop near an enclosure where we weren’t seeing any wolves and the guide would just repeat these things over and over. I was dying to walk around the enclosure myself and see if I could peek around and see some wolves. Or maybe to keep moving and see more than a tiny my new part of the sanctuary. But instead, I felt I was forced to remain in a very large group of people who were not necessarily considerate of others and children whose parents did nothing to curb their loud talking so that it interfered with me hearing the guide. But I probably didn’t miss much. I understand the children were probably bored just as I was so I don’t think the tour would really be recommended for children that little. They were probably 4-5. My older child was gracious about it but definitely we were disappointed and irritated. And we are far less easily bored than the average person nowadays.

They did state it’s better to tour in cooler weather but all the winter tours are booked months in advance. This leads one to think this place is amazing if in such high demand.

It was infuriating that we were required to wear masks in the gift shop. I haven’t worn a mask in any public establishment for months now. Masks do zero to stop Covid. Why was this place so picky about it? And, to top that off, the gift shop was only letting in a couple people at a time. So we were faced with waiting for an indefinite period of time to get our turn to simply enter the gift shop while wearing our masks. Guess they didn’t want our money.

Bottom line: I will not return. I support their efforts but next time I’ll just write a donation check and skip the tour.

My fiancé and I took a trip to the Wolf Sanctuary of PA as my belated Valentine's Day gift. My fiancé also got me a symbolic adoption of one of the wolves to go along with the trip. Our tour guide Russ was very knowledgeable and was great at answering any questions that anyone had on the tour. It was great to learn so much about wolf behavior and hear the stories about how the sanctuary came into possession of the wolves.

After the main tour had ended, my fiancé and I approached Russ and inquired about Shawnee, the wolf dog that I had the adoption for. Without hesitation, Russ took us over to the gift shop and we spoke to another worker (I did not get her name), but she was very nice and contacted another worker. Within minutes Russ took us to see Shawnee. Russ also told us about the other wolves they had along the way to meet Shawnee. Russ even went above and beyond to cover the extra $5 for the cost of my fiancé to see Shawnee. This was a very generous action on Russ' part. Apparently the main person on the adoption is covered and any extra guests are $5 each.

Even though it was a cold rainy day, Russ did not seem to want to hurry any part of the tour along and spoke to us with respect and was very down to earth.

The sanctuary does have a small gift shop as well and lastly what I found to be a stunning tribute was inside that gift shop. The names, photos and a small amount of fur of each deceased wolf are displayed in custom photo frames.

Overall this was a very good experience even though the weather did not cooperate too well, I would definitely go back for another visit.

My husband and I went this past week and it was absolutely amazing. Our guide Kristina was very knowledgeable and so nice. We both learned a lot a new information on these beautiful creatures and cannot wait to go back the next time we are in the area. Make sure you take advantage of this great experience the next time you are in Lititz!

We had a very acknowledgeable hostess which made The tour extra special. Where boots. Grounds muddy. It was evident that the staff cares a lot about the R areas are kept clean

Beautiful location,great staff and overall amazing experience. The wolves and the enclosures were very well cared for.

My husband received a gift card for this tour from our daughters for Father's Day. Our guide, Michelle, was wonderful! She had a wealth of information to share with us about wolves in general, and also stories about each specific wolf. She was very interesting and really put a lot of effort into insuring that we had a great tour. We took the private tour, and recommend it highly for any animal lover. We spent a really enjoyable two hours learning a lot and viewing these beautiful animals.

This is a wonderful place to visit. The sanctuary is dedicated to educating the public about wolves. Kristin was a wonderful tour guide. Highly recommend visiting the sanctuary.

Melinda was our guide & she was tremendously knowledgeable, personable and obviously enjoyed what she was doing. She knew so many details about each wolf & wolf hound we encountered (even calling some out which weren’t obvious). She “howled” with one wolf which started a cascade of howling amongst the wolves in the sanctuary (in the late morning). It was a tremendous experience which left us wanting more. We’re planning on going back for the private tour $ will hope to have Melinda as our tour guide again!

My husband and I went on a getaway to Lancaster and our Airbnb host mentioned this experience in his guidebook. We had such a great time! There are over 50 wolves on the premises and we estimated that we saw about 15 the day we went. They were all so vocal when we went which was such so special. Our tour guide Melinda was very knowledgeable and answered questions. The love the staff has for these rescues shines through. Even if she couldn’t answer a question she told us she was happy to research to provide an accurate answer. We will definitely visit again.

If you ever have the chance to visit, it will be an experience you will always remember !
They are not in cages like so many animals in Zoos etc.
The workers and volunteers there have done everything possible to have them in areas as close as to their natural habitat as possible. They room free with in there areas.
Over 50 wolf and wolf dogs there. Many there have been adopted, like my self did
One of the most misunderstood animals

I absolutely love the Wolf Sanctuary, and have for many years. I started adopting wolves 3 years ago, with Violet, she was still a pup, as were her siblings. I have since adopted 2 wolves a year, around my birthday and go up for a tour and to do the adoption around that time in February. I was there to visit and adopt my 2 wolves this year this past Friday, February 11, 2022. If I wanted to go I had to go for a private tour because i decided too late that we were gonna go. Our tour guide, Melinda was absolutely The Best. She must have a photographic memory because she knew all the ages, birthdays and stories by heart. This is one of my favorite places to go as I love all animals, and wolves are so majestic.
Thank you, Melinda for an absolutely fantastic tour and time.

The guided tour was a fantastic experience. Our guide Kristen was extremely knowledgeable not only about wolves in general but also the back story of each individual wolf. This is a forever home for these wolves and most definitely not a zoo.

If you're an animal lover, you'll enjoy the sanctuary. I had a fantastic time. Our guide shared the backstories of most of the wolves we saw. Wolves are incredible creatures. Be sure to take the tour, but remember to book in advance to secure your spot. You'll also be able to get some great closeup pictures of the wolves. According to our guide, the best time to see the wolves is during the cooler months when they are more active.

They are booked about 2 months out, so this must be pre-planned.
We arrived to hear the wolves "singing." Our tour group was about 15, all ages. The tour guide was very good. Very patient with the younger ones sharing and asking questions. Very knowledgeable on the mission, the personalities of each, etc.

The full moon tour was amazing. To hear them all howl before we even started our guided tour was exhilarating. We learned so much about these amazing animals. We recommend you go, visit and donate if anything. The staff was also very nice.
Thanks to all for making our evening a great one, we will definitely be back and I can’t wait to adopt a wolf!

Finally took the time to plan a visit - awesome. It was a Sat morning and a little cool so the wolves came out of the brush to let us see them. The guides were fantastic- all volunteers and they knew every animal and their characteristics. Each pack was a little different.
At one point the guide got a lone female wolf to howl - the sheer purity of the sound was breathtaking.
There are a few wolves to be seen "at ground level" and then there is a hike up a rather steep hill - not handicap accessible and not for anyone unsteady on their feet.

great experience and I would go back again.

Great information on the wolves that I didn't know before. Volunteers were great. Seeing the wolves was awesome.
Only problem was that if you're almost 80 and need a new hip or knee,there is a lot of walking on uneven slopes and a long way uphill to get to your car.other than that, everything was great. Would definitely recommend.

This is indeed an amazing place! If you love God’s creatures, you’ll be impressed and grateful for the staff that care so much for these beautiful animals. Our guide was a young woman who was so dedicated and knowledgeable; she told me that when a wolf finally allowed her to touch him, she felt it was “an honor”. Such are the volunteers who care for these rescued creatures! Just as our tour completed, the wolves set up a conversation of howls. So glad we got to hear that! If you go, say hello to Whiskey and Loci for me!!

Had a wonderful visit. Denny was our fantastic tour guide. He was so knowledgeable and gave personal info regarding each of the wolves and told us all about the sanctuary itself. The animals here are so beautiful. I find myself still thinking about them days later. This visit was the highlight of our entire trip to Lancaster. I have since changed my charity on Amazon Smile to benefit this sanctuary. I can't say enough positive things about this place. I can't wait to go back. These people are doing a truly magnificent thing by helping and taking care of the beautiful animals that live here.

The first time I took my wife here as a surprise and we both really loved it and what these people do for these animals. I took her on the weekend public tour, this was nice for you get guides at each enclosure for the wolves, so they tell you about the wolves in the enclosure, such as their history and their personality. Many people show up for this one and it is nice for it is basically self guided you get to be close to the wolves and see them walk and sleep. The most recent time I took my wife was just yesterday night for the full moon tour, which was so relaxing and calming. The staff had a bon fire going with live music, an extremely warming touch, as well as a slightly different tour to see different wolves and when the moon comes out you might hear them howl. We roasted marshmallows and hot dogs while the music played and soothed everyone. Such a beautiful relaxing time. Just as my wife and I were leaving we heard all the wolves start to howl! Very, very beautiful sound. Such a good place for these beautiful animals. A must go.

This is a special place. The tour is about 90 minutes by someone that loves these animals. You will see several wolves and wolf dogs, and learn the difference. This is not a zoo. The walk is not that far on gravel, but it has some small up hill sections. You must book in advance at this phase of Covid.

A 30 plus acre environment dedicated to the homing of rescued Wolvesn and Wolf Dogs.There are tours and plenty of information about Wolves by many of the caring employees and volunteers..A gift shop is on site with items to raise fundings to support the ongoing care of these awesome animals..You can adopt a Wolfe to help with ongoing care..

I was walking my dog through the county park right across from the wolf sanctuary. The wolves were quite vocal this morning. Very inspiring and highly recommended.

My favorite part of the full moon hike was when all of the wolves howled in unison in a happy voice. Exceptional experience!!

This sanctuary rescues displaced wolves and wolf-dogs. The wolves are well cared for. Lots of space to roam in their packs. Saw many up close on this 1 hour walking tour, heard and watched them howling. Learned so much about their diets, vet care, behaviors, and the back story on how each wolf ended up here. Our guide Denny was a volunteer, but so informative. Highly recommend visiting and supporting this place.

When I went to the wolf sanctuary of PA our tour guide was Michele, she was knowledgeable and very nice. She started a howl between all the wolves in the park. It was really cool. We learned a lot about wolves and I’m looking forward to going back. On the Sandy grounds there is a bed & breakfast with three small log cabins and a gift shop. Five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We went to their wolf fund easer day. Lightly raining. Had the best time ever. Staff were very informative. All wolves were roaming around so you got to see them. Will go again.

What a wonderful experience. This was our 2nd visit and we plan to come back again. Our tour guide was Michele and she was so passionate and knowledgeable about the wolves. Be sure to book a tour online as they are not open to visit any other way. Check out the website. You can see pics of the wolves and their stories. Pick a wolf or two to sponsor/adopt and get a photo and a letter from that wolf! So much fun.

Such an amazing experience. This is our 3rd trip and every time was a hit. We adopted our second wolf. Russ the tour guide was awesome, entertaining and so knowledgeable. Wolves were very active and engaged. Even the weather cooperated. We could have not asked for more.

Had a fabulous private tour yesterday! Our guide, a volunteer, was extremely knowledgeable about all the wolves..highly recommend this as a family experience

A wonderful morning at Wolf Sanctuary. The four of us enjoyed an early morning private tour. Russ was our guide and he was excellent! He made an effort to remember our names and to include us in the commentary. We learned so much. We saw many wolves and wolf dogs. We really enjoyed hearing their howls. Highly recommend the private tour; two full hours of information and wolf viewing. Thank you, Wolf Sanctuary!

My story of wolves goes back to my late uncle who loved wolves. My whole like wolves did not grab my attention until my uncle passed away; I did my research to see why he loved wolves so much. My husband and I spent a weekend in Wisconsin and saw a lunar eclipse, at the moment the moon was covered with the shadow of the sun we heard wolves in the distant howling, I instantly felt a connection. I researched places to visit wolves and found this sanctuary in my own state. I have been looking for a full moon fundraiser to attend for the last 2 years and it is always booked with the exception of the most recent full moon in July. I was in heaven when I found tickets and booked for 2. I was sent the rules via email and they are very informative. When arriving at the location, all staff was very friendly and helpful. We were able to either stay with the group of fall behind and watch the wolves in their natural habitat. Some wolves more people oriented and coming up toward us for pictures. Just FYI, the wolves are behind 2 gates and not within reaching distance however you are able to get some great pictures. No videos are allowed however I can see why; put the phone does and enjoy what is happening in front of you. By the end, you will leave feeling like you are connected to every wolf and I noticed not only myself but other visitors were leaving and saying goodbye to each individual wolf by name. Its a connection and experience everyone must try. I now know why my uncle loved wolves so much!

Speedwell Wolf Sanctuary is an amazing facility that is home to various beautiful wolves/wolf dog hybrids. The grounds are well maintained and all of the wolves we saw on our visit seemed very happy, content and well taken care of. The staff do a great job of answering your questions and also making sure the public shows respect and courtesy to the wolves while everyone is visiting(intruding!!) on the wolves private home. This is a huge undertaking for everyone involved to provide this beautiful, peaceful home to these amazing animals. Just too bad they don’t allow children under 16 to visit.

We loved our time at the Wolf Sanctuary. We saw more wolves than i expected, knowing they are not "out on display", but living like they would in the wild. Our guide was very knowledgeable. I loved it!

We took our 9 yr. old niece on a private tour and we had the best experience. Russ was amazing, we got a history lesson about the property as well as the wolves.
We got to hear the beautiful symphony of the wolves multiple times while we were there.
Looking forward to going back when there is snow in January. The wolves are so well cared for, it made my heart feel good. My niece said it was the best part of her time with us. Wolf Sanctuary beat out Build A Bear in her eyes, mine too! Thanks for taking such good care of those beautiful animals.

They do great work there. The volunteer guide was great -- knowledgeable, personable, passionate, and considerate. I will definitely go back and do a private tour when it's colder and the animals are more active. The fencing might prevent you from getting good photos, but go for the experience.

My daughter and I visited the wolf sanctuary on our last trip to Lititz, PA. This is our third visit and we love seeing the wolves and learning about them. The volunteers are just so full of information regarding the wolves and the different packs of wolves at the sanctuary. Thank you so much for caring for the wolves!!!!!

We had such an amazing time! Our guide, Michele, was AMAZING! So knowledgeable, we learned so much from her. Highly recommend going, we will definitely be going back! It is so evident the love the workers have for the wolves, and even more so the trust and love the wolves have in the workers. The sanctuary itself is so clean, and the wolves are happy and healthy. My kids had so much fun! It’s all they have talked about since we’ve gone! I recommend booking the two hour private tour. I have a broken foot so had on a fracture boot, the worst part is the beginning hill and the rest is smooth sailing! Michele went at our own pace, answered all of our questions, and truly made the tour what it was. We will definitely be going back!

We had a wonderful experience! I took my boyfriend, as he has a passion for wolves. He was not disappointed! The tour was informative and we got to see many of the wolves. It was cold and a bit muddy, so dress accordingly. The stories of how the wolves were rescued is heartbreaking, but it is so great to know sanctuaries like this exist to give them a "forever home." Be sure to book in advance. I had to check back frequently to find openings in their calendar on their website. We would love to book a private tour in the future to learn more! Highly recommend!

I purchased 3 tickets for myself and family for a private tour. It was just the guide and us - how perfect was that. It is definitely the way to view the wolves and learn interesting facts about wolves in general and the wolves at the sanctuary. i would definitely go again annually, I was that impressed and could never get enough of their majestic beauty. My family is still talking about what a wonderful day they had and are telling all their friends about it. Hopefully, that will bring others to the sanctuary for a tour. Our guide was so well informed and such a pleasure. She is a definitely asset to the sanctuary. The sanctuary itself was so well kept up, the wolves were relaxed (apparently happy - not stressed), and well taken care of. I feel so fortunate that these wolves are in the loving care of people who have come to understand their nature and needs. I also feel fortunate that I live fairly close by so I can make a trip to the sanctuary an annual event. My nephew, Ryan Loftus, fell in love with the wolf, Spirit, who graced with a full head thrown back symphony of howling, and was joined by the chorus of wolves in the sanctuary. What a totally wonderful day. Thanks much Wold Sanctuary.

The volunteers do such a great work caring for the wolves! I love this place -- Beautiful energy, magnificent animals! A must for all animal lovers.

We saw wolves! In all their beauty. In all their playfulness. You could tell the tour guide really cares for the wolves and is very knowledgeable about their habits. It was a great way to spend an afternoon learning about and connecting to nature.

The best part was seeing the wolves, of course! Especially when Loki allowed Rose Marie to pet him! Recommendations would be to come in cooler weather so you can see more wolves and possibly to come at feeding time if you are into that sort of thing. All in all a fun experience!

My fiancé and I arrived about 15 minutes before our scheduled tour time and were greeted at the gate with a smile by our tour guide Jill. She was very knowledgeable about everything that went on there and each and every animal there. We couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide and will request her when we go back next year! We got to see all but two wolves. It was snowing when we went so it made for a great experience because all the wolves loved it. Also, we got to hear all the wolves howl at the same time because of a local siren that went off while we were there. It gave us chills. Jill was also able to get loci to howl for us just before the siren went off. You could tell that she loved each animal and that they were well taken care of by everyone there. I only wish it was closer so I could volunteer every day.

We came here on Wolf Awareness Day. We got there just as they were opening.
The Wolves and Wolf Dogs were beautiful.
As we entered the walking area, one of the white wolves was howling. It was a beautiful sound.
We saw many of the wolves when we got there.
The volunteers were very knowledgeable about all of the animals and added tidbits about their personalities.
Some of the wolves didn't seem to mind all of the people and even enjoyed them. Others did not and walked off to where you could not see them.
It was very interesting that ALL of these Wolves or Wolf Dogs ended up here as a result of someone trying to have them as a pet. Some Wolf Dog owners didn't even know the dog they rescued had Wolf in them.
If a dog has 10% Wolf they have to be surrendered.
I highly recommend visiting and supporting this organization.

I cannot say enough good things about this place and all of it has been well covered by others, but I need to caution that the experience is too information heavy for younger children.

I recently took my 6 year old twin granddaughters and they were ready to leave after 30 minutes. Kids that age need to be on the move. We ended up staying for an hour of the tour but they were restless being at each site for 15-20 minutes of information. The same thing happened with another family who brought young children.

There were very few children on tour and I was told that when there are lots of kids they tailor the talk. It was suited to them. Plus, there were so many people on the tour the children were surrounded by legs. I do think tour sizes should be limited.

I want to return without the kids so I can adsorb all of the incredible info they share.

Went to the Wolf Sanctuary on a rainy Sunday afternoon. We were expecting a 1 1/2 tour as indicated on their website, but many of the trails were closed off and we were done in 45 minutes! Tour guides were very concerned about the wolves and not the paying customers.

Such an amazing place and a wonderful tour! Our guide was exceptional and at one point mentioned that sometimes all the wolves start howling together. We were lucky enough to hear that on our way out.

Listen, if you like wolves and want to see them in person and learn a great deal about their habitat, this is the place to visit. We wanted to visit for a while and are so glad we finally got here. One can visit with a general public tour or a private one. The private tour is longer and lasts approximately two hours. Believe me, this experience went well beyond my expectations. While you can't touch them or feed them, you get to be close and see and hear them (we heard the packs howl three times while we toured). You can also take still pictures, just not video.
The tour guides are extremely knowledgeable and want you to ask lots of questions. They're all volunteers, so it's quite remarkable to see the dedication and knowledge base of the guides. I will say that the best time of year to come here is in the cold weather, since the wolves love the cold. You just need to be prepared with warm clothing and coat, and also shoes that might get a bit muddy if it has rained recently. Boots or older walking shoes would be best, something you can hose off after the visit.
There's also a small gift shop you can visit after the tour with lots of great shirts, sweatshirts, books, etc. if you want a memento from the visit. Oh, and you really need to think about booking a tour many months before you actually would go. We booked in August for a mid-December visit.
If you haven't been here, and you're visiting the Lititz or Lancaster area, this is a must see.

We both enjoyed seeing the wolves and hearing about their history,habits and culture. They are very well cared for and happy. Each wolf has their own personality.
Guides are volunteers and we'll trained.

We took our grandsons ages 14 & 12 one Saturday and to our surprise we all really enjoyed it. If going in the later fall months or during cooler weather dress accordingly, there is a lot of trees. The guides were very informed, friendly and were open to answering all questions. There is a walking on dirt paths and uphill in some spots. Prices are reasonable and they have a small gift shop. Well worth spending a few hours here. We plan to go back in the spring with the grandkids again.

What a great way to spend the night! The staff are all really friendly and knowledgeable and the wolves- AWESOME, especially when they all start howling. The number of wolves you see is limited and they are all in enclosures, which is understandable. Don't expect to get close or pet any of them! It's what you make of it, if you are interested in observing and asking questions, you can spend some time here. I recommend visiting, it was a truly enjoyable experience and I will return.

Had a great first trip to the Wolf Sanctuary! Pretty crowded on a Saturday now that the weather is good, but people spread out once the gates were opened. Great views of wolves walking in their spaces or resting in the shade while knowledgeable staff gave information on where they came from, histories, relationships and facts about wolves. Would love to go back for one of their full moon tour to visit after dark. Will be back!

This was an awesome tour. The guides were very informative and personable. We loved hearing about the stories behind each wolf. I would recommend this tour to anyone.

My wife and I had a private tour with Melinda yesterday. I had been to the sanctary before on a crowded day and loved it, but wanted a more personal experience. The tour consisted of walking the grounds and seeing all the packs (2 to 6 wolves per pack). Melinda gave us basic facts on wolves, the stories behind how the wolves got to the sanctuary, and she interacted with them as she talked to us. She even was able to ge them all to howl at once (yes all of them). The tour was exaclty what I knew it woould be: a great diversion with some science, history, love, compassion and education. We obviously could not pet the wolves, or interact with them, but we were there to learn about the sanctuary and the noble efforts these volunteers put forth. At no time did she purport to be an animal expert, zoologist, wolf biologist, etc. She simply told us the story of the wolves, their habits and interactions with each other, and how they arrived at the sanctuary.

I have read some of the negative reviews. If you want a presentation into the science of wolves, etc. seek out a zoologist or read a book. If you want to get out in the air and learn about people who dedicate their free time to caring for wolves previously destined for death or a life of misery, visit the sanctuary. It is worth the trip whether as part of a general admission or a private tour.

First...make reservations.
Second...gates open at 930a and close at 10a. except if you are doing the full moon event.
Last...the guide was awesome ( I think her name was Melina) and she sought out the wolf pups for us to see.
I feel sad when going to zoos but did not feel sad during this experience. these wolves/wolf-dogs were all already with humans before needing a new place to live and unable to be released in the wild. The owner, president and all the volunteers take great care to respect and protect these beautiful creatures.
What an amazing experience at the not for profit Wolf Sanctuary of Pa, please support this wonderful service. They take such good care of these beautiful creatures. The amount of entrance and gift shop purchases are 100% for the sanctuary. We heard howling and singing, most let our guide pet them.
300+ acres with each wolf/wolf-dog being in 1 to 3 acre pens.
We will return in the winter when the vegetation is less.
My 2 sons who are 20 and 17 had a great day. Shhh! don't tell them but they learned while on summer vacation.

Had a really good time. Interesting tour w great information. Got to see many wolves and learn about their stories. Well worth it!

I wasn't sure what to expect because rural "zoo" experiences can be pretty terrible. This place is just wonderful. First and foremost, it is what it says it is--a sanctuary and rescue. The tour guide told us all about the history of the place and how the animals are cared for and you can see that they are safe, healthy, and respected. We were so lucky that when we got there the wolves all howled at the same time, which was an amazing experience. And we were lucky that some wolves came right up to the fence to be petted by the tour guide. Note: you will not have a chance to pet wolves. The wolves are behind a double fence, and the tour guide sometimes goes behind the first fence. However, also note that if the wolves had been hiding --well, you would not get to see much! They have plenty of room to roam and hide because again it's a preserve not a zoo. The tour guide told us the best time to visit is in colder months when they are more active and when there's less foliage so you'll have more chances to see them. The tours book up well in advance, so plan your visit ahead of time. I was also very impressed with the Covid safety. The tour is all outdoors so no masks needed, but as of July 2022 the gift shop still requires masks. On the way back down the hill I heard another tour group getting completely different interesting stories about the wolves so I think that this is a tour you could do several times and not get bored--different wolves, different stories. Would be a good outing for scout troops and small school groups. Definitely recommend! If you love wolves, you'll love this tour. Just know that you might see a lot of wolves or you might only see a few--it's up to the wolves!

We took a public tour with volunteer Melinda. The group consisted of approx 23 people. We got to see a decent area of the sanctuary and learned the back stories of several wolves and wolf-dogs. With the exception of 2 wolves all of the animals are rescue wolves in search of homes to live their best life. Melinda was an excellent tour guide and you can tell that all of the volunteers here are absolutely passoniate and dedicated to the wolves. We also took a private tour the following day with Melinda again and met more of the wolf packs in the sanctuary. I honestly recommend either tours to visitors, or you can do like we did and enjoy BOTH!

You will need to book in advance as covid-19 protocols are limiting the number of visitors at a given time. Hopefully this lifts soon as the sanctuary is a non-profit and relies on tours and donations to support these wolves.

We stayed at the Speedwell Forge B&B which is a neighboring property and we were allowed to visit some of these wolves daily. Enough to learn some of animals personalities. Love it here and can't wait to come back in the winter to see these guys in full coats in the snow!

I wouldn't recommend the night tour at all. That being said I did enjoy the knowledge shared by the tour guides and will book a daytime tour.

I drove 8 hours one-way to visit Wolf Sanctuary of PA, and it was so worth it! I took the private tour, and I recommend this for the individual attention given to you and the wolves. My tour guide was a delight - very knowledgeable about the history and personality of each wolf, and the wolves and wolf dogs obviously held her in great affection. Despite the hot day, she was able to entice a number of wolves to approach the fences, so I was able to see them up close, and take photos. The gift shop is well stocked with wolf items. The people could not be friendlier! I recommend staying at the historic Speedwell Forge Bed and Breakfast, located on the grounds.

The person answering the phone got furious and rude when I pointed out there was a discrepancy in the length of the tour in the ticketing system and the confirmation email. The website says it’s a tour 1 to 1.5 hr long, but the email says the tour is from 10 to 12.
When some attractions or museums say a tour is 1.5 hr long, they mean normally it should finish well within that time frame and you have the rest of the 1.5 hr to ask questions, but some other places mean that the tour guide will talk for 1.5 hr and you should plan for up to 2 hours for the tour for questions and other incidents.
Clearly, the discrepancy is pointing in these two opposite directions and it will have consequences on the planning of lunchtime and other activities in the afternoon - a wolf sanctuary isn’t the only thing that requires advance tickets.
And the person answering the phone insisted that both are correct — the tour is both 1 to 1.5 hr long and 1.5 to 2 hr long and there is no discrepancy. I guess she has to be the perfect person who is always right and no one else points out anything they say that is wrong or confusing or contradictory or anything negative.

We went on a rainy Sunday for the noon tour. Despite the rain we were able to navigate the hilly terrain and see the wolves. They had informative volunteers at various wolf compounds. You could ask the volunteers any questions you would like. We enjoyed hearing about the various wolves and their personalities. This is entirely volunteer based and all proceeds go tot he wolves. I am not sure that other reviewer has issues with. Their website clearly states tours start at noon. They ask you to be early so you can be processed before the tour time. The tour is self guided. You can book a private tour. However, they are booked 6 months in advance. We will definitely go back and sign up for the private tour. They have plenty of parking. We knew to wear old shoes and clothing so we were prepared for the rain and terrain. We took along our 14 year old grand niece and she was the photographer for the day and said she had fun and would love to go back. All veterans and military members are free, they can enter at no cost. That is so very nice.

The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable on wolfs in a rescue habitat. She answered all of our questions and how wolves should not be household pets. We are grateful for this opportunity to learn about such a beautiful animal rescue.

Had a wonderful private tour on Sunday with Melinda. She provided history of facility and extensive information about the wolves they have rescued. This was a perfect time of year to visit since the foliage is off the trees and vegetation allowing better visibility. The real treat was when one wolf started howling and the rest responded. This lasted about a minute and then abruptly stopped.

This was a wonderful tour! Very informational. I learned a lot of information about wolves that I didn't previously know. Some things to consider before taking the tour: The trail is covered in gravel and has some hills that would make it difficult to navigate if you have trouble walking. Definitely would not recommend this tour to someone who uses a wheelchair or walker. The day I went my group was the first tour group out and the other tour group caught up to us which made it difficult to hear my tour guide because I could hear two tour guides talking at the same time. But other than that it was a wonderful experience.

Amazing sanctuary! Definitely opt for a private tour and fingers crossed you will get Russ who is so passionate about the wolves. The tour with him was informative, educational, and inspirational. I had the great fortune to hear the wolves howling on four occasions which was a memory I hope to never forget.

Get here early as long lines are to be expected. This was a unique experience as our youngest loves wolves and we learned a lot too. Pick a good weather day as it is rain or shine. Wear shoes for mud. You only really need 1/2 hour here.

Great tour. It was hot so most of the wolves were in the shade. (I mean who blames them). We did get to hear them howl when first arrived and got some good pics. Very educational and learning things I did not know. Love these types of places and this places does an awesome job!!!

Our ten year-old daughter is crazy about wolves and has lots of concerns about how wolves are treated (and perceived). We brought her and her brother to the Wolf Sanctuary of PA because, first, we were really interested to see it and learn more about wolves. And, also, second, because we wanted to show her that there are "helpers" in the world who care about wolves. We were so impressed by the setup and by the degree to which wolves are allowed to be, well, wolves. Our guide has worked for the sanctuary for over 20 years, and remembers some of the wolves as pups. It was so interesting to listen to her and to hear her perspective. We visited in the pouring rain but that in no way dampened the experience - the visit was magical, for all of us. And we're so appreciative of the care that has gone into the place. It can be slightly harder to get tickets for a private tour (though, they open up tickets at the start of each month) but we highly, highly recommend the private tour. Thank you for a wonderful visit. I think that the experience will prove to be formative for our daughter.

Took my 8 year old, wolf obsessed grandson to Wolf Sanctuary yesterday for a private tour. It was amazing. Our tour guide was Mandy, a volunteer with the sanctuary for 18 years! She had a great personality and was incredibly knowledgeable. We were able to spend quite a bit of time viewing each pack and learning about them as individuals. It is beautiful to see these animals (mostly) up close in huge habitats. They are obviously very well cared for. Mandy gave my grandson some fur from a few different wolves he was able to observe. He was thrilled.

The sanctuary website is well done, though doesn't give you a good idea of what the tour actually looks like. We went on a Tuesday tour, with a group of appx. 15 people. The tour guide walks you around the property, telling you about the sanctuary and about the wolf packs and their personalities. You will not get to see all of the wolf packs, and you don't get to touch the wolves, though you can see the guides pet the wolves that they're friendly with. Walking paths are gravel, and some are up hill.

Overall, I really enjoyed the entire experience. Definitely worth the trip.

We decided to do the Tuesday/Thursday tour and our tour guide's name was Russ. My daughter is 11 and has a love for animals but her favorite obsession is wolves. Russ started our tour with great energy and facts that were extremely fascinating. He also chose an "assistant" to help him with our group and to our delight, he chose my daughter. He interacted with the whole group, asking us what we thought and encouraged the group to ask questions. Most all of the workers there are volunteers because of there passion for the wolf community. They discuss what their mission is and why they do what they do at the Sanctuary. Their tours and gift shop (which has a nice selection) assist with their financial and educational goals for the Wolf Sanctuary. I would highly recommend visiting them and any age group would benefit from the trip! Thank you Wolf Sanctuary PA! 5 STARS from my family❤

Our tour guide, Starr--a high school biology teacher--was superb. This visit was one of our goals in visiting Lititz, and we were afraid it might be rained out. As it turned out, a cool and occasionally drizzly morning was excellent for viewing the wolves, who hide under the trees in hot weather. Starr told us of many of the wolves' histories, some of them heart-breakingly sad. But it is wonderful to see them so healthy and well-cared-for, and with ample room to wander. We highly recommend this 'attraction'--which is really a rescue and recovery operation. The gift shop is excellent, and please buy generously--gifts for yourselves, your children and grandchildren. You also have the opportunity to adopt a wolf with monthly gifts. Thank you to all the volunteers who care for the wolves and educate the visitors!!

This was a wonderful side trip during our stay in Lititz. The mission of the sanctuary is carried out by knowledgable and caring staff. Our guide was Star, and she did a great job introducing us to the individual wolves and telling us their stories. It is not a zoo, and the wolves are not on display! They are wolves being wolves. We were treated to a wolf "chorus," when something got their attention. Definitely worth our time.

The tour guide Russ was awesome. So very knowledgeable and friendly.
The whole experience was awesome
I will definitely come back with my family

On April 28th, I took my girlfriend and another couple to the Wolf Sanctuary as part of a Birthday weekend celebration. We had a great experience from entering the Sanctuary, signing in and the private tour with the very knowledgeable Melinda. I learned so much about wolves and wolf-dogs. Thanks to all the volunteers and the owners of the Sanctuary for giving these animals a second chance at living their lives. They are well taken care of and the people volunteering their time are very passionate about what they do. The rain held off and the weather was great for viewing all the packs. We even had the pleasure of hearing the wolves howl on two occasions. It was worth the price of admission and we picked up a few things at the gift shop. Some day we will return for the Moonlight tour. I’m sure that will be just as exciting.

Visited on a cold winter day. Our tour guide, Michele, was phenomenal!! She was very well informed and gave a lot of background information on the sanctuary and the wolves that live there. But even more so, you could feel how much she loves the wolves and how passionate she is about their care and dignity. Tour length was good, I could have even gone longer. My children and I learned a lot about wolves on this tour and loved seeing them up close.

Our long weekend stay during the Pink Moon was a wonderful experience for our newly extended family. Our adult children each had rooms in the mansion and the newly weds stayed at the Whyte House. We all loved meeting the wolves and learning their stories as explained by exceptional tour guides. We marveled at the sounds of wolves (54!) howling together. Dawn, our hostess and owner of Speedwell was a treasure. Her insights about the wolves and gift for making everyone comfortable were greatly appreciated. Her breakfasts are home cooked and to die for. We plan to return this winter. Kudos to Dawn and to singing in the bathroom at the Whyte House.

Interesting place to visit and learn of Wolves. They certainly do care for and love these wild creatures.

Excellent wolf facility. Extremely interesting and educational. Out tour guide Michele was very knowledgeable. The guides are volunteers and love working there. This facility rescues wolves and wolf dogs. You can see many olds there.

The Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania sits on approximately 120 aces of rolling woodland about 40 minutes North of Lancaster. The Sanctuary offers scheduled tours. Be aware that you MUST register for a tour slot in advance, and that you may have to register several months in advance. The tour takes 60-90 minutes, and is led by a staff member who works with the wolves. The population of the sanctuary consists of about 50% pure wolves and 50% wolf-dog hybrids, all of them rescued and neutered. The wolves and wolf-dogs are housed in small groups of 2-4 in enclosures of 1-3 acres each. They are mostly friendly and totally curious, While you are separated by about 10 feet and two fences from the wolves, you and they can clearly see and hear each other. They are beautiful to see. However, you probably won't hear them howl, unless you are scheduled on a 10:00 a.m. tour and get to the parking area in time to hear the 9:30 a.m. feeding. Then you may get to hear the wolves howl as they await their breakfast. The tour guides obviously love working with the wolves and wolf-dogs, and they enjoy giving visitors a glimpse of North America's apex predator. If you have never seen a wolf up close, this is your chance to do so. If you are a fan of wolves (like my wife), the tour provides a wolf-watching fix.

We wanted to go to full moon tour, but they were full. It was an INCREDIBLE, POWERFUL experience. Though we could only see a few wolves, the guides stationed at various places, were interactive, knowledgeable, loved their jobs, LOVED the wolves. Passion was evident. My friends adopted a wolf for me, his name is BLUE. He is apparently elusive, so I may not be able to get close to him. But, his picture called to me, and later his story warmed a spot in my heart that will always belong to him. We will return ASAP. Probably a day tour, private tour. The feelings we got just being there, even in very cold weather, were really what we truly wanted. Volunteers, keep doing what u love. Take care of our friends, some of whom have had very hard lives, and some who had no place to go, and would have been euthanized. Remember, potential visitors, donations can save a life, preserve health, allow the WOLVES to not be extinct.

What a wonderful outdoor experience. The wolf sanctuary is a must see. Set in a beautiful location and not far from the quaint town of Lititz. Took my 91 year old Mom and she loved it! A little hilly at one spot but volunteers there assisted us along the slippery spots. We saw many wolves out and about. Very educational. Would have liked to have seen a few more enclosures as we spent quite a bit of time at each of about 4-5, but still enjoyable. Ample parking and outhouses. Headed over to town afterwards for holiday tea. Perfect day! Please support these needed sanctuaries.

My wife's parents recommended this place to us and we absolutely loved it. We booked a private tour because that is what her parents had done and I highly recommend this. It is only $30-some per person (how many attractions offer private tours for this cheap?!) and you get to walk the grounds with just you/your family and the guide who will talk with you about each animal as well as the history of the place and wolves in general. We have seen wolves before in both large city zoos and in smaller zoos but seeing them so close is a completely different experience. Even in the smaller zoos, they were at least 50 yards away or so however at the Wolf Sanctuary of PA they come right up to the double fence and greet the tour guide, no more than 5-10 yards from you. The closeness is impressive and you can really see how large these animals are. Some let her pet them, others don't like that type of contact but would let her pull shedding fur off of them or lick her hand or things like that. They know the guides and generally come to the perimeter to say "hi" so you can see them up close. Some of the more vocal wolves could be coaxed into howling by the guide and this was awesome. We've all heard wolf howls before (on tv, maybe at the zoo, maybe even in the wild) but seeing the animal howl from 5-10 feet away is altogether different. And needless to say, you hear responses from the other enclosures in the surrounding acres and it is an awesome and eerie experience.

Our private tour was over before the general tours began so it is hard for me to say for sure, but I think that if you prefer to just do a general tour you would get a very similar experience. I believe the main differences are that in the private tour there would be fewer people in your group (obviously) and you may stop at more enclosures and for a longer period of time at each one. You should contact them to clarify this of course. There is also a really nice bed and breakfast on the property where you can stay and my understanding is that their guests are free to walk to the grounds out side the enclosures up until sun down. We considered this option but it was a little too expensive for us and I believe you needed to purchase the room for a two-night minimum.

Everyone that I interacted with there, by phone and in person, was extremely friendly. No one was ever pushy at any time that we should be giving donations or doing more to help in addition to the money you have already spent on your tickets. I have been to other "attractions" where I felt like I was being guilt-tripped into signing up for an annual membership or leaving a donation for their projects, or whatever. Even if it is for a good cause, no one likes feeling pressured. I did not get that vibe at all here. I did tip our tour guide because she did such a wonderful job, but this was unprompted by her and I certainly did not get the impression that anyone I met there would have asked. There are, of course, plenty of opportunities to donate to the cause and I highly encourage anyone who is considering it to do so. They have a great website and you can easily navigate to their "wish list" (items you can purchase for the wolves) and "support" options for monetary donations. I believe everyone we saw over the weekend were all volunteers. I'm not sure if this is also the case during the week but that alone should demonstrate how these guys are not in this for the money - and for that reason, I feel, deserve our support even more.

Recommend bringing a water bottle if it is hot out. They have a large jug of spring water to top you off after the tour but I did not see that they had actual bottles for the guests (unless you want to purchase one from the gift shop).

The enclosures are surrounded by a double fence which forms a pathway in between the two fences in which only the tour guide can go to get within touching distance of the wolves. Because of this double fence you don't have to worry about kids putting their hands inside where they shouldn't be or anything like that.

TL;DR:

The private tour was excellent as would be the general tours. We learned a lot and seeing animals like this so close is just so much different than at a zoo. The staff are wonderful and we never felt pressured to spend or donate more money. I highly encourage you to visit and donate if you like it as we did.

So cool! Very informative. Our guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable but also very dedicated to the sanctuary and the wolves. He has been volunteering for 14 years. It was cold weather so they were very active and easy to view. Twice while we were there many of them started to howl which was the coolest thing. We are going to try go back for a private tour and bring friends and family. Such a great cause - so happy they are taking care of these wolves and wolf dogs!

My group and I really enjoyed visiting the Wolf Sanctuary. Upon entering you are greeted by very friendly volunteer staff who help direct you to your parking. We lucked out with a relatively small group for the sanctuary and our guide Russ was so full of knowledge about the property, history of the area, and the wolves. He had a great personality and enjoyed giving his funny stories along with a lot of great information about wolves in general and the wolves in the sanctuary. I particularly enjoyed his enthusiasm and excitement when we would ask questions and the group would engage in the conversation. The sanctuary is fully run by donations and the tours, all staff are volunteers and the money you spend there on tours and gifts at the shop go 100% towards the conservation and preservation of the land and the animals. I cannot wait to go back again and do a private tour and I will for sure being asking for Russ, but all the volunteers were so nice, helpful and willing to answer questions. I particularly really enjoyed chatting with Michele as well!

We visited the Wolf Sanctuary during our trip to Pennsylvania and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Our tour guide was Michele and she was very knowledgeable and passionate about the wolves. We learned about the history of the property, the sanctuary and the wolves and were able to see several of them during the tour. I’d recommend making a reservation well in advance of your trip as sometimes tours are limited.

Thos was such a fun and educational experience.
Our guide was so great..as he was so full.of knowledge about the wolves and took time discussing questions s etc.
I would definitely recommend it especially for children to learn about these precious creatures.

A place you can feel good visiting as the admission goes to a good cause, and veterans / active duty receive free admission. Magnificent animals that you can get close to and well worth the time to visit. Better to visit in cooler weather as the wolves are generally not active in hot weather. The walking trail by the enclosures is steep and unpaved, something to consider for mobility impaired guests. The gift shop is worth a visit, and the volunteers are incredibly knowledgeable and worth listening to at length.

It is so impressive that so many volunteers put so many years of service to these beautiful animals! Great military discount also! Thank you for a great day for our whole family!!

Cannot recommend this place enough, and definitely will be coming back! We stayed in the summer kitchen and it was absolutely amazing. Fire place, large bathtub, really romantic and cozy. You’re allowed to roam the sanctuary before dark, and the wolves are definitely more active when it’s a little colder out. They take such great care of the wolves, and the tour showed just how much the volunteers care about them. It was so informative and entertaining, the place is very well maintained and the wolves are thriving there. Can’t wait to go back and visit in the winter!

My husband & I stayed at The Whyte House of the Speedwell Forge B&B on the property of the Wolf Sanctuary and were able to take the tour of the sanctuary. Melinda is an amazing tour guide. Extremely informative & very gifted in her ability to tell stories of the various wolves. Melinda was also able to howl & get the wolves to howl while on the tour! Thank you Melinda for an amazing tour of the sanctuary!

According to website we were going to see wolf feeding. Very disappointed that the web mislead us. Saw wolves sleeping and very lethargic. This visit was not worth the trip or price of admission. Glad we went but doubt if we will go again.

Our tour guide Russ not Rusty is an amazing man. He is full of knowledge about every wolf. He literally talked the entire tour. He incorporated the group into the tour, asked questions n answered all questions!! I def recommend those on your next trip to Lancaster county. I’m so glad there’s a place like this to care for these precious creatures. You will fall in love w them. It rained the whole time n no one in our group left it was so interesting!! In the pic is my favorite Laz he is 12.

We really liked meeting the wolves and my daughter was very interested in the care for the wolves. She liked the challenge of trying to remember their names.

My 9 year old daughter loves animals, especially dogs and wolves. She has said for the last 4 years that she wants to be a veterinarian. After visiting the wolf sancruary She now says she wants to rescue animals. She is particularly interested in the wolves. Her bedroom has been decorated with all kinds of wolf decor for the past year and a half. The visit was very informative and we (my husband, daughter and I) have decided for her birthday this month (September 2022) that instead of gifts we have let her birthday party guests know that instead of gifts, they can bring any monitary amount that they would like to donate and Kiera will adopt a wolf. She is excited about this. We have also been watching the sanctuary videos.

Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but the tour was kind of a bust. The time advertised was 60-90 minutes. Total time for us was 50 minutes. At the end of the tour we felt like we were being upsold to come back and take a private tour, so we could see the remaining exhibits. (I guess some of the the wolves are a little sheepish lol) If the tour has know limitations, these should be reflected in the price.

I have loved wolves all my life, I can't explain how much I love them. the care takers are so nice they are so welcoming, they take really good care of the wolves there. I learned so much when was there, they explained about what a wolf hybrid is and how it got here. they do not put anyone in danger there is two fences between us. the experience was amazing the wolves are so beautiful and well taken care of. I give five stars to the wolf sanctuary!!

Our tour guide, Melinda was patient and informed. We had an outstanding day with our pack. We will book private tours this winter, when the wolves are ready to play. Thanks a million!
The Litas Baltimore
Marne Poffel

I appreciate the purpose of the sanctuary but the tour itself wasn’t worth the drive or the nearly 2 hours of standing around. We saw a couple wolves and some dog hybrids. You don’t get to walk around as described when we booked. You stand in an area smaller than my backyard and listen to the guide monologue. I wish I had read an honest review before booking this and I hope this helps a family with kids. Nearly 2 hours of standing around is too much. Tours should be 20min based the very few animals and small area.

Wonderful place. Kind and informative staff concern and care for all animals obvious. Take care for those with ADA issues but advise bringing seated cane or walker if walking issues

Wonderful trip that exceeded expectations for my wife and I. Our guide was great. Good selection in the gift shop whew profits help the wolves. Property was amazing. We heard dozens of wolves howling and answering each other.

The volunteers whom we met, at this sanctuary, are amazing. They cleared up myths and educated us with so many facts about these wonderful creatures. We witnessed much dedication and hard work in taking care of the wolves that reside there. The full moon event and puppy time event were bonuses! A special thanks and shout out to Dawn, Michelle, Nick, and Ed, (whom we met), and those who work behind the scenes. What a wonderful job you all are doing!

At the admission desk, was amazed that veterans/active duty receive a free visit. I donated my veteran amount to such a good cause.

We were excited to begin our tour Sunday and our entry guide was brimming with facts, good cheer and solicited questions. She said that you can pet some (but not all) the wolves but what she meant to say was that the staff could pet some of the wolves. Continued to be impressed with the volunteer guides but the views of the wolves was truly limited. Some were seen at a distance and in shade (that's where I'd be) so highest praise for their rehabilitation work but just not the best visitor experience if you want to see wolves.

Past the level area where the large crowd (they promised about 30 at a time but not enforced) again limited one's ability to see the animals and most of the wonderful commentary from the guide was lost in the hubbub.

Ascending to the upper enclosures was quite the feat. Up a long and steep hill strewn with rocks which would make any safety man shudder. There was pipe handrail part of the way but only covered about half. Coming down probably more treacherous where the handrail ended but the rocks did not.

Upper enclosures much friendlier to smaller groups and we got to see the wolves pretty well.

We were left knowing that folks who really care about their charges provide great homes for them and their passion knows no bounds.

The Wolf Sanctuary is a great place to experience Wolves and Wolf Dogs. We stayed at the Speedwell Forge B&B on the same property and You could heat the Wolves howling quite often Awesomeness all around.

There really wasn't much to see, but the money goes to helping the wolves which is great! It's better to visit on a colder day when the wolves are more active. There's also a steep hill to walk up, so wear proper footwear

First and foremost, we had the best guide ever….Russ Stavig! He was so knowledgeable and informative! You can tell he truly loves the wolves and volunteering his time! I can’t believe how much we learned from him! He made it fun and memorable! We did the private tour! Highly recommend any of the tours tho. The wolves were unique and beautiful. It was everything I hoped it would be and more! We will be back! Ask for Russ, he does not disappoint!

This was wonderful and our guide was fabulous. Highly recommend this it is very informative we had a tremendous time

I had a fantastic time at the Wolf Sanctuary! I was in the 10:00 AM tour, and really didn't expect to see any wolves since it was already warm for the early morning. Our tour guide, Michelle, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the sanctuary, and patiently answered our questions. And the wolves did not disappoint! We were able to see some, and a couple came right up to the inner fence to check us out! At the end of our tour, the pack started to howl! I was worried about walking up the hill to the top due to breathing issues, but the tour was not rushed, and I had no difficulty. The gift shop was charming, full of selections that are very well priced for a non-profit organization. Guests are not able to pet or interact with the wolves, but I expected that. If you want to learn about wolves and wolf dogs, this is the place to go!

We made our visit on full moon Saturday, October 28, 2023. It was a beautiful, warm evening for a stroll through the grounds of the sanctuary. There were numerous, knowledgeable volunteers stationed throughout to educate you about the animals living there. The animals were mainly scarce with the exception of a few howls heard at the beginning of the evening. A huge bon fire was aglow for anyone to roast hot dogs or make s'mores. I liked the fact that this was a fundraiser for the sanctuary as it is not customary to have evening tours. We enjoyed it immensely.

Great tour of this fascinating place. All outdoors. Saw many wolves and wolf-dog mixes. And learned a lot about them from a terrific guide.

We saw 6-8 wolves during our time there and heard quite a few howling a couple of times. I thought it would be more walking to see more wolves, but perhaps because of the rain the days before, we moved to 3 different areas. I hope to go back one day perhaps for a more costly private touring.

Very interesting tour by Starr. She provided significant detail about the lives of wolves in general and about the wolves at the sanctuary specifically. Starr also spoke about the purpose of the sanctuary and how it operates.

Unfortunately, the day we visited was quite warm and we saw few wolves. With their heavy coats, wolves are not acclimated to the weather being experience in the area recently. Consequently, many of the wolves were keeping to densely shaded areas.

While I recommend visiting the sanctuary, I strongly suggest your visit be during cooler weather.

A must see if you are in the area. Tour guide is very knowledgeable and you can see how much everyone cares about the wolves and knows each one's personality. The wolves are very well taken care of and they have lots of room.

I went to the Full Moon event last night (October 12th) and had a great time. This was something I had planned in advance as part of my Halloween events for the month and was very excited. I wasn’t disappointed! There were quite a number of people, which I expected, but the areas of interest were spread out and it was never overcrowded in any area at one time. I would def recommend it. I will go back another time for the daytime tour, and may make the Full Moon Event a Halloween tradition.

My fiance' and I were able to take a private tour early Saturday morning with Russ, who was and excellent tour guide and volunteer. Since my other half is a about to graduate as a vet nurse , and we both love animals, this was the top attraction for us. We were fortunate enough for them to howl together three times while we were there and because it was feeding day, they were very visible in their enclosures as they waited for their delivery. Some were so playful like pups while others were very cautious and stayed further away.

We appreciated the background Russ offered about the individual wolves from how they came to the sanctuary, how they are introduced to others, play dates, feeding rituals... While many are hybrids from people who didn't know they had wolf-dogs, to changing regulations, to abusive situations others are full wolves. They are different sizes and colors, different breeds and have different personalities.

I look forward to staying at their B&B so we can listen to them more often, perhaps when it is a bit cooler and they are more active, or maybe come for a full moon evening. Whatever it may be, we will be back and we have already shared our wonderful experience with friends and family- as well as locals who have never visited.

Thank you for educating, saving and loving these animals so they are safe and have a forever home.

We had a fantastic visit to the Wolf Sanctuary! Our tour guide was informative and so knowledgeable. The wolves are beautiful, and there were even a few who howled for us! The sanctuary clearly cares deeply about their animals and educating the public about the species.

The tour is definitely family-friendly. My tween was very engaged and asked questions, but it was a little long for my youngest child at over 1.5 hours.

We visited the Wolfe Sanctuary of PA on a Fall Thursday tour. We had a great tour, saw all the wolves, and enjoyed information provided by our tour guide, Denny. Everyone through the experience was helpful and friendly.The wolves are obviously well cared for and the facilities, the same. All four of us enjoyed this wonderful adventure getting to know these beautiful creatures better.
(we also sent a supportive comment directly to the Sanctuary following our tour)

My daughter and I visited the Wolf Sanctuary on Sunday, December 15th.
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate, but also a bit repetitive with information at times.
We heard the wolves howling and we were able to see about ten of them.
The gift shop was at the end of the tour and there were some pretty awesome things for sale with reasonable prices.
Fortunately, we had no rain as this isn't a tour I would recommend in wet weather. The walking is mostly on dirt paths that can at times be covered in stones.
The wolves we did see were beautiful and clearly well taken care of.
I would highly recommend visiting this sanctuary on cooler or cold days and wearing good walking shoes. Some of the trails are steep. Bring along a hat and gloves, too!!
It was definitely worth the 90 minute drive to get there.

It was a great facility. Was not that long of a tour. We saw a few of the wolf dogs. Sadly it was a hot day so not many wanted to be out and active. It felt like a rushed walking tour.

On November 9, 2019 on a full moon Saturday night, we walked the trail at Wolf Sanctuary outside Lititz. When I spotted the first wolf slumbering along the path on his side of the fence, I was mesmerized. He was much larger than I imagined. Up the path I saw two more sleepers. Then, I saw several walking around, occasionally howling, and then darting into the woods. How exciting. People walk up the paths looking for wolves inside their fenced in areas and meet two guides spaced at intervals along the path.. These guides know the wolves very well...their names, where they came from, and their idiosyncrasies. Amusing stories abound. Several wolf dogs were among the wolves. The guides had interesting stories about where they were before the Sanctuary adopted them. At the base of the trails is a bonfire where people roast their marshmallows while listening to music. Altogether, the Wolf Sanctuary is not only place to learn about wolves, but to see them in their environment, and listen to them HOWL! It is a wonderful place manned by volunteers who dearly love these animals. The nighttime tours are for adults only. There are also daytime hours where children are invited to walk the trail. And, this sanctuary is entirely supported by volunteers and donations.

We visited the Wolf Sanctuary yesterday and I expected to see a home for wayward wolves. I was not prepared for the passion and dedication exhibited by the countless volunteers on site who run the sanctuary.

Because of the tireless efforts of these incredible people, the wolves and wolf-dogs are living their best lives...safe and secure at the sanctuary.

Majestic creatures and magnificent humans. What an inspiring place to visit!

Top tips: It gets really hot when you are walking the sanctuary. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water.

Exceeded expectations! Our tour guide, Nick, was excellent; he spoke loudly & is an expert both on wild wolves and the sanctuary wolves. He took care to be sure we didn't stress any wolves who were settling in, and he had funny stories about wolf husbandry. The volunteers in the gift shop were also passionate and shared heart-warming stories with us. It made my heart happy to see content, well-loved animals in beautiful enclosures, living their best lives. Will be back!

We took a full moon tour. We saw a number of rescued wolves and wolf dogs but were disappointed that we did not see any of the 3 packs.

2 hours goes very quickly! The property has has a rich history and if you are from out of town there is a BNB on the premises! The trails are dirt and gravel so be prepared for mud if its been raining. My tour was during while it was raining and it was not bad to walk in sneakers/boots. Interesting to get to know the story of several of the animals and awesome to hear them howl!!! Really a neat place. I will go back and would love to volunteer there.

Took 2 of our granddaughters there to learn about wolves. Had a wonderful tour of the sanctuary caring for 51 wolves which were either rescues or pets that people had to give up due to being illegal to have wolves as pets in a lot of states. Learned about their habits and packs. Very interesting and educational.

Beautiful animals and terrific volunteers who taught me a lot about how wolves operate, it was a fantastic experience and we will go again in the winter.

Had such a wonderful experience at the Sanctuary and it's really all due to the volunteers. Our tour guide, Melinda, was knowledgeable, energetic and kind. She answered every question from the crowd of about 20. There was actually a younger family with the group (one in a stroller, one toddler) and they left about halfway through because it really is for older kids. We originally tried to get a private tour but there weren't any available. The group tour was an awesome intro to the place. We will be taking the advice of one of the staff and calling at the beginning of the month for private tour availability - she said there are sometimes private tours available that aren't on the app. The only "complaint"/more of a suggestion was that the tour kind of petered out once we got back to the front, and Melinda didn't really get her due. We weren't sure if we were able to tip but she did gratefully accept a small gratuity; I think that if others were around they would have given some as well. She deserved it.

Consider your fee for the full moon tour, as a donation. Hopefully, the money truly goes to the care and keeping of theses wolves. It felt like a tourist trap and a money grab. The tour is self guided and the trail is extremely crowded with people. There were hundreds of people there. It is dark and the wolves are hard to see.

We had an excellent and informative guide named Starr. It was great to see the wolves from so close and hear their backstories. Highly recommend.

My wife and I booked a private tour. It was great being out there at 7:00 AM, with just us and our tour guide. As we were getting out of the car, the hills were alive with wolves howling. It started the visit off on a wonderful foot. Our tour guide was fabulous, very knowledgeable, friendly and was super patient with our multitude of questions. There was not one she could not answer.

There was plenty of time to take all of the pictures that we wanted. You are behind two fences. The wolves seem so friendly, and of course I would have loved the opportunity to let one of them, but I understand the liability of doing that.

I plan on going back again next year, and will do so at a cooler time of year, as even though it was September, it was warm and the wolves were staying in the shade. Can’t wait to go back!

What a wonderful organization. The tours are professional and the wolves very well-cared for. I have been in the animal rescue world for 14 years and recommend this organization if you are a wildlife or just an animal lover.

This was the second time we visited the Wolf Sanctuary and this time we were able to get a private tour. It was a great experience. Rosemarie was our guide and she was so knowledgeable about all the wolves – their history, backstory and lots of interesting wolf facts. Our grandson is 10 and loves wolves which is why we did this trip for the second time. The private tour is worth it!! We got rained on during the tour, but we dried off and went back to see the rest of the wolves. Rosemarie was great about making sure we got to see everything (even though she was soaked through!!).

All the volunteers are so caring and passionate about the wolves and it is a great environment for enjoying and learning at the same time. Thanks to everyone there for all they do!!

Winter is definitely the time to go, as the sanctuary gives tours rain, snow or shine. Have been here once before in summer and you can see so much more with all the trees and bushes bare. Plus the wolves are more active and animated in winter. Several times during the almost 2 hour walk, there would be an outburst of howling wolves. It was truly magnificent. The place is just beautiful and the tour guides, mostly long time volunteers, are really knowledgeable. This is a not-miss place if you’re in the area.

Admittedly I am an animal lover - but this is a uniquely extraordinary place. Truly a sanctuary for abandoned, government seized from illegal situations, transfers from closing zoos & other sanctuaries, the wolves are cared for individually according to their needs. Staff interaction is at the wolf's discretion. Well fed with ample distractions to keep the animals engaged and healthy, the staff spends a huge amount of time getting to know the animals and trying to pair them or put them into small groups so they can have 'company.' The Tour Guide (Denny) has volunteered there for 17 years and filed our tour with stories about each wolf touching the heart and making the dilemma of these animals real. This is a family owned non-profit, depending completely on grants, gifts and donations. There are plenty of opportunities after your first time visit to volunteer, donate or return to stay at the historic cottages.

The Wolf Sanctuary of PA is an absolute gem! We visited for a Saturday morning tour on a very warm and sticky day in June. I was so pleased to see that the heat didn't prevent the wolves from coming out of their dens. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. All around a fantastic experience. I already have several family members who saw my post on FB and want to go there should they come visit. I will definitely be back to see the majestic wolves!

Beautiful area and all the wolves and wolf dogs are well taken care of. The tour was very engaging and informative. Denny was excelllent and provided so many facts and information. Everyone was so friendly and has a real passion for helping the wolves.

Such a unique place to visit. Informative guides, very friendly staff, and a wonderful overall experience.

I took my sons, age 12 & 14 on a Tuesday morning tour. We had to have prior reservations (which we did). It was a rainy day and the tour happened all the same.. so make sure you’re prepared for all weather 😊 We had Denny as our tour guide and he was very informative as well as welcomed all of our questions. We learned the difference between a wolf and a wolf dog, how they obtain their animals, how they are cared for, how they have to be trained, showed us which ones they could pet and which ones could not be touched, showed us how they got them to howl.... it was incredible! My sons loved the trip. We did learn of you want to see more of the animals it is best to go when their isn’t a lot of foliage around (between October and March) so we will be doing the tour again and taking dad along with us next time 😊 Two of the wolves love the young children, as they are more playful and get excited to see them when they come to visit, so it is a nice place for young ones to go see. There is a small hike up a hill so wear comfortable walking shoes 😉 I’ve included just a few of the many pictures we got that day!!

Private tour was excellent and Mandy was a wonderful tour guide. Enjoyable experience for all ages and educational

Tour guides were very informative. The tour was an easy walk with only one hill and because it was a cooler day, the wolves seemed a little more active.

I had tickets in November and had a family emergency and they wouldn't refund me so I rebooked for last June on a Saturday night. This is literally the only reason why I came back to Lancaster, was for the wolves. My dumb luck a thunderstorm was looming. Also because it has been so hot and so dry there was not going to be a bonfire - bummer. All of those things happen, no fault of the sanctuary.

Now on to the tour, I don't recall her name and she was nice and some feedback. It was a VERY large group, like 20+ people. some were slow walkers, which is fine, but the rest of us had to wait for EVERYONE to catch up before discussing the topics at hand. Also the tour guide was repetitive with a lot of things about the wolves, how they get the wolves, how they are fed, how they are paired etc. It got to a point where I started to walk ahead. The entire tour could have taken 15 minutes - 30 minutes to walk through. So maybe they were stretching it out for the sake of time. I didn't get to see that many wolves as I would have hoped, so that is another reason why I went off on my own. We ended up catching up to the other group so we had to stop and wait for that as well. We were allowed to take pictures but not record videos, which was another bummer. There was a point where all of the wolves were howling at once and I would have wanted to record that breathtaking sound of this magical species. Huge disappointment. That's when I realized we were at the end and just went off on my own.

I went into the gift shop, which we were warned was very small, they had cute stuff. The only thing that interesting to me were the hoodie sweatshirts, I have a thing for them and get at least one or two. For my size in the colors I wanted there weren't that many common sizes, so I had to go a size smaller.

Overall I'd say this is a one time thing, I was expecting and hoping for more. The pictures I included were the only 4 wolves I was able to see. Checked it off my bucket list at least.

The Tuesday & Thursday tours are guided while Saturday is a self-tour. Strongly recommend the guided tour as the guide has many stories to tell about backgrounds and behaviors of specific wolves and groups of wolves. Also recommend winter tour as the grass and weeds have died down and most of the some 50 wolves are visible at some point in the tour. During summer weeds grow up in the enclosures causing some obscured views.

Set in a beautiful area, the grounds at the sanctuary are impressive and the animal enclosures are visibly well maintained. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about the wolves, as it should be, but entertainment of attendees is secondary which may be a little disappointing. Of the reported 50 or so wolves on site we saw seven at most and those were kept at a distance by the double fences. There is much more listening to information about wolves than there is opportunity to see them. The tour probably isn't stimulating enough for young children. In fact those who were in attendance on our tour seemed bored or restless. Our tour confirmation listed the time as 10-12 but the tour was over by 11:05. Glad we went but probably wouldn't return and would be very selective in recommending it. Best part: hearing the wolves' group howl.

Just want to start by saying this rating has nothing to do with the staff or the care of the animals. I just love wolves and was disappointed to see that they have mostly hybrid (wolf/dog mix) rescues in enclosures. Apparently they used to manage a pack of twelve at one time but that pack is now down to four and they only do rescues now. So there is no breeding and all of the wolves are fixed. I didn't get to see too many of the wolves as the vegetation in the enclosures is not maintained, it just runs wild. I was told that it was summer and the wolves are not as active as in the winter. Understanding that, maybe they should consider charging a cheaper price in the summer as it was quite expensive. Any pictures you take will be through two rows of fencing. These are things I just thought other wolf lovers should know as there are other preservation's out there where you can see more wolf packs and get a better experience. I was also told it was a two hour tour on the phone, but it only lasted one hour.

Don’t be late for your tour at this place because you won’t be able to get in. No one answered the phone, no one to call and nothing worth really really seeing unless you get the private tour. Saw some wolves but nothing was exciting until the started howling during the day which we were told that was unusual. It could have been better if we chose to take the private tour. Did I mention the private tour?

Our tour guide, Starr, was very knowledgeable and was able to answer everyone's questions. You could tell how much she loves the wolves. We learned so much about these beautiful animals. The one thing we would recommend is to bring some tissues. I had tears rolling down my cheeks listening to the heartbreaking way these wolves started their lives. So thankful this sanctuary exists to help these once abused animals feel safe and protected from the hands of horrible people.

Saw this place on trip advisor and we decided to visit. Really didn't know what to expect. It was wonderful! So interesting and the volunteers who run the tours are very knowledgeable and passionate! (Thank you Michele!) Highly recommend! Highlight was when all the wolves were howling. Chills!

POWERFUL! I appreciate the opportunity to view these majestic relatives up close and I ESPECIALLY appreciate the way they are lovingly tended by the good folks at the Wolf Sanctuary <3

This Wolf Sanctuary takes care of a little over 50 wolves! Overall, it was a really cool experience. I got to hear wolves howling which felt magical as they all began howling in unison. I also got the chance to see two wolves playing with each other. However, I was also quite disappointed in my experience.

1. I signed up for the Full Moon Fundraiser. This is described as a self-guided tour but it is not. When I came here in the past it was. Apparently there are roughly 10 new wolves so they wanted to take extra care with making sure we were guided. I was in a group with about 50 other people led by a tour guide. Now this wouldn't have bothered me as much if I had known this would be the case in advance. I signed up for this particular event specifically because I wanted a self-guided experience. The problem is that the website STILL describes the experience as "The tour is self-guided with volunteers along the route..." The website information needs to be updated.

2. At the end of the tour they have a space for a bonfire (weather permitting), and a musician. A MUSICIAN?? I came here to see and experience the wolves! Not a guitarist. It was incredibly frustrating to hear that the wolves were howling, but the music covered it up... I don't think I was the only one frustrated by this. This was not included in the website description either.

Let me say however, that overall this is a place definitely worth visiting. Maybe one of the other experiences would have been better.

The guided tour was incredibly educational. I thought I knew a lot about wolves & wolf-dogs but there was so much more to learn. The level of love & concern for the animals by the staff, many of which are volunteers, was very evident. At one point in our tour, one of the wolves became agitated for some reason & began pacing the fence lines. The guides had our groups back out of the area & other staff watched the animal's behavior to assess what was happening with her. Once out of the area, we could see that the wolf was "settling down".
Although the gift shop is tiny, there are some delightful "finds" there. Since I now live very close to the Sanctuary, I will be returning & doing what I can to help support the organization.

We went here thinking it was going to be such a great experience considering all of the 5 star reviews. What a disappointment! We saw maybe 3 or 4 wolves the whole time, all sleeping, no other wolves to see. Self guided tour with people at the “exhibits” (if you could even call them that) who were very nice talking about their experiences with the wolves but I know very little more about wolves than I did before we got there. My 3 kids were just utterly bored and complained the whole time. $52 wasted. Kids couldn’t wait to get out of there and the whole place was practically empty when we left after just about 1 hour. What does that tell you? Don’t trust all the good reviews! It’s a good cause and I am glad they are taking care of the wolves but they really are missing an opportunity to do something better with this place.

My husband, 13 year old daughter and I did a private tour. It was after Thanksgiving and during Covid, so the regular tour was booked solid. I was hesitant to spend $45 per person, but wow are we glad we ever did. You get to see more on the private tour. Our guide, Star, was awesome. She really took the time to talk about the work they do there and the wolves themselves. This place is so nice, the wolves are just beautiful, the whole atmosphere and the caring environment is so special. Highly Recommend.

Our family group of 6 went to the 10am tour on Christmas Eve! It was lovely. It had snowed earlier but, quit and was cold.

The guide was good and we learned a lot about wolves and how they effect ecosystems.

The trail didn't seem like 1.5 miles. We sauntered a bit, stopped visited another pack and learned about them from the guide lecture. The trail was not flat, so wear good shoes, take a stick or cane if you need one and enjoy. The hill they warn you about is down. The hill they don't warn you about is up getting back to the parking lot. LOL!

We made memories and will be back!

As a Lancaster County resident, my husband and I often talked about going to the Wolf Sanctuary at Speedwell Forge, but we never did... until the full moon on 14 September 2024.

We made it a "date" night. I wanted to find out if the wolves really howl at the full moon...myth or legend. My husband, who is an avid outdoorsman, indulged me.

Visiting the sanctuary was not what we expected...it was even better! The entire experience was well-organized from beginning to end.

The guides throughout the grounds are excellent. Russ not only knows the wolves; he knows the history of the property that dates back to the 1700s. It is fascinating.

It is obvious guides have their wolf "favorites"; however, it is also obvious that each wolf and wolf dog has its own story. These stories pull at your "heart strings".

While the full moon festivals are for 16+ ages; as a retired educator, I believe that the day program is a safe educational experience for youth. The Wolf Sanctuary of PA is well-known throughout the USA. It will give youth a greater appreciation for their Lancaster County heritage.

Do wolves really howl at the moon...I leave that to you to find out when you visit.

The tour guide Starr was very informative and passionate about what she does, and her love for wolves. She answered every question thoroughly. Was a great experience seeing wolves for the first time up close.

Absolutely beautiful sanctuary. Wolves are very well taken care of and highly respected by the caretakers. The volunteers are very informative. They only do one tour at noon time on weekends.

This is a very informative and fun tour for all ages. We really liked learning about the different wolves at the sanctuary and their unique personalities.

This was an amazing place, the tour guide was fantastic, the sanctuary was beautiful and the animals were so loved and cared for! We loved it and we will be going back!

Wolves came to the fence. Staff stood close to share about the wolves. They are gorgeous animals. They said you can see more in the winter when the brush dies back. Prepare to hike up and down hills. My teens loved it.

We had high hopes for our first visit here, but were really disappointed.

First, there’s not enough parking. That’s mainly due to only having one tour per day and no method of limiting the number of visitors. So it’s a free for all. The website should warn people to get there 40 minutes early, because that’s how long it takes for them to play parking police and find a spot.

Then you’ll wait in line for at least 20-30 minutes while 100+ people buy tickets.

Want to see the wolves? Let’s just hope they aren’t hiding in the woods or all sleeping. Maybe you’ll get to hear one of the guides tell you his thoughts on how breeding wolves with German shepherds is bad and what he thinks of it, but even that’s doubtful since there were at least 30 people crowded around the one wolf who actually was close enough to see.

The whole tour took 25 minutes. What a disappointment. Oh, if you have a disability with walking, you’re SOL. Good luck climbing up the steep dirt path to the top that’s been gutted out due to rain in a few spots.

I’m glad they take such good care of the beautiful wolves and understand it’s a non profit. But even most nonprofits have someone who has a little business sense to keep people coming back.

The tour is more than well worth it, for the education, the chance to see the wolves, and knowing that you are helping them.

We had an awesome morning with the wolves at the sanctuary. We did the 7AM private tour and I highly recommend it. We saw almost all the wolves.

I was nervous before going because I don't enjoy zoos with sad animals or unkept cages. This facility has enclosures that are at least an acre and many bigger than that. We were surprised how many of them were 100% wolf too. The lawn is beautifully manicured. The wolves love interacting with the tour guide and the wolves come out to show off, howl, and get ear scratches.

Mandy was a wonderful tour guide and answers a billion questions we had. I would recommend her as the wolves seemed to RUN to her at every enclosure. Our professional camera was able to capture photos with very little of the fence visible which was better than we expected.

We drove from VA to go to the sanctuary. Since we did the morning tour we stayed in Lititz which is an adorable little town so you can make a weekend of it.

This was our 3rd tour at the sanctuary over the years. We were on the regular tour with about 25 others. Our guide was very knowledgable and willing to answer any questions. We got to see wolves and wolf dogs.

This was our least favorite of all tours. It took 40 minutes (not 1-2 hrs) and we saw less areas than previous tours resulting in fewer wolves/wolf dogs. It also was difficult to schedule a tour - first available was several months out.

I still recommend the Wolf Sanctuary, especially if you have never been there, you won't know what you are missing and it is a unique experience. Gift shop items are pricey but that is where they get some of the money to operate the place so it goes to a good cause.

There were several children in our group (we had 6 & 9 yr old grandsons). The best part for them was seeing the animals and visiting the gift shop.

Bring comfy shoes! The staff at the Wolf sanctuary were very informative and you can tell they really love the wolves. We booked a Thursday tour and had about 30 in our group. The tour is 1 1/2 hrs. We stayed in Ronks and the drive was about 30 minutes. The views on the way are beautiful!
Loved seeing the wolves and learning about them. Dont forget to make a donation! There is a small gift shop to purchase souvenirs, bathrooms and coffee.

very enjoyable trip/tour. the wolves are beautiful.... a little lazy with the warm weather. Our second trip but first fir our friends. Got to hear them howl!!

Visiting the wolf sanctuary was fantastic! A must do for anyone interested in nature and learning. The experience was very well organized and informative. Our tour guide Kristen, was fantastic. She has a wealth of information about wolves and doesn't hesitate answering questions and telling everything she knows about them. A must do for families with children.

Excellent tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and personable. You can tell the wolves are well cared for and the facility is clean. It was 85 degrees the day we went and while many of the wolves were taking shelter from the heat, we still managed to see quite a few. It is a great educational opportunity for kids and adults.

A nice experience! Not at all what I expected though-in a good way.
Large groups of about 25.
Very educational! Melinda was an awesome tour guide. She shared so much knowledge with us about where each wolf/wolfdog came from, habits and behaviors, partners, life span and in some cases-death.
She thoroughly answered all questions guests had.
Gorgeous, spacious and luscious habitats.
Nice remembrance wall of all the wolves/wolfdogs that have passed away.
I’m not sure the prices in the gift shop that are posted equal what rings up. I anticipated spending about $40 on two tshirts and a stuffed animal. When we checked out it was almost $75.
Nice gravel walkways that are mostly shaded for the tour. All level or downhill
However, quite a hill back up to the parking lot at the end.
Well worth a trip once in your lifetime.

Thank you for Mandy, our tour guide who provided a very insightful and up close tour of these beautiful and sometimes misunderstood creatures. Mandy has been leading tours for 15 years and you can see her sincere love for these wolves. It's amazing how she describes each of their personalities and how they "bond" with her. This is a tour that is not to be missed. The fact that it was a private tour made it even more special.
Tip: The 7am tour is a great time to see all of the wolves.
Tip: It is best to wear old shoes, not canvas as it can be wet/muddy on the grounds.

Although it is really sad that there even has to be a safe place for wolves and wolf-dogs, it is a wonderful place to visit. Learning how the staff takes in and takes care of these amazing animals was very moving. There are so many volunteers who give hours and hours of their time to making sure the wolves are cared for and protected after rescue. It was amazing to see the beautiful animals and to learn about their personalities and daily life, etc. They are doing incredible work and I'm so glad we were able to get onto a tour.

The tour was filled with very interesting facts about the wolves. Melinda and Denny with terrific guides and gave us plenty of facts that we didn’t know about the wolves. I would definitely return for a personal guided tour in the winter.