Whether you enjoy the traditional symbolism that the wolf represents or plan to take an educational excursion, the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania is a great place to learn about the history of wolves in the Northeast. A nod to the past of this ferocious animal, as well as a place dedicated to preservation, the wolf sanctuary is a must-see stop on any itinerary. Home to dozens of wolves living in several packs, the wolf sanctuary is run by volunteers who have a passion for rescuing these noble animals. Many of the wolves were obtained from people who originally kept them as pets, and the sanctuary has endeavored to give them a better life and return some of the dignity they would have enjoyed in the wild. You might be thinking that the weather is growing colder now and the season for visiting the sanctuary is past. The truth is, wolves are really built for cool climates. In the heat of the summer, the wolves are lazy and even listless, but once the weather turns cold they become more active. As many volunteers can attest, winter is the time to see the wolves at their best.
Weekly Tours
While the full list of tour dates and events is available to view, you can just pull up to the sanctuary on any Saturday or Sunday at 12 p.m. for their regularly scheduled tours. There is an entrance fee, but no reservations are required and you can pay your admission on site once you arrive. Set up as a traditional tour, your group will accompany a tour guide on foot to visit each pack. Ask questions! The guides are very knowledgeable about the history of each pack, and the stories of some of the rescue wolves are quite touching.
Full Moon Tours
Billed as a create-your-own tour experience, full moon tours always take place once per month on the Saturday night closest to the full moon. Rather than a traditional group tour where the material is squeezed into 60 minutes, the full moon tours allow you to take your time, wander at your own pace, and even take a break around the campfire if you wish. For November’s Beaver Moon, the full moon tour will take place on November 28th, 2015. Attendees must be over 16 years old, and the tour will start at 7:30 p.m. If you desire to make a weekend out of the full moon tour, keep in mind that the Lancaster County Bed and Breakfast Inns Association offers prime accommodations, even through the winter. Some of these top Lancaster County bed and breakfasts are located within just a few minutes drive of the isolated wolf sanctuary, too, so you don’t have far to travel.
