Visit Wolf Haven
Wolf Haven will be closed to the public for breeding/whelping season during the months of April & May 2024. While we do not breed the resident wolves at Wolf Haven, they still experience hormone changes during this time of year and it is important for them to have as much space and seclusion as possible.
Sanctuary visits will not be offered at that time, and are scheduled to resume in June.
You may or may not see animals during your visit. Enclosures on the public visitor route may also be restricted from view without notice at the discretion of animal care personnel for the well-being of our residents.
Sanctuary Reservations Required
To best meet the needs of the wolves, visits to our Tenino sanctuary are by advanced reservation only. Sanctuary visits are $20 for adults; $15 for students/seniors/military; and $8 for children ages 12 and under. Please note that Wolf Haven’s sanctuary visits are structured for older children and adults. The visit may not be suitable for small children, especially those under the age of 5, due to the duration and requirement to remain mostly still and quiet.
SUMMER VISIT HOURS: 9:30am & 11:30am on Friday/Saturday/Sunday
WINTER VISIT HOURS: 9:30am, 11:30am & 1:30pm on Saturday/Sunday
Our revised visitor route now includes a video showing in our Visitor Center and a stop at the Patrick Vance Dunn Memorial Prairie in addition to regular wolf sanctuary stops, providing visitors with a more fulfilling and well-rounded Wolf Haven experience.
Patrick Vance Dunn Memorial Prairie Access
In addition to our wolf sanctuary, Wolf Haven is fortunate to steward 36 acres of protected, rare, and sensitive Mima mound prairie. The prairie walking path is open anytime the sanctuary is open for visits (see hours above). Prairie visitors must check-in and check-out at the Wolf Haven Visitor Center. If the Visitor Center Manager is not present, visitors should check with other Wolf Haven staff.
To protect the sensitive ecosystem, the only part of the prairie open to the public is the path that leads from the wolf cemetery to the Grandfather Tree and back.
Wolf Haven is a Sanctuary
A sanctuary exists solely for its residents, and as such, their welfare is its highest priority. A sanctuary commits to the highest level of care, and every action or procedure is examined to ensure it best serves the animals living there. A sanctuary does not cater to the needs and desires of people, following an animal-centric rather than human-centric approach.
There is no question that all animals, both wild and domestic, “feel” their lives. They are unique, living, breathing beings with a full complement of emotions. A sanctuary provides a safe, lifetime home where its residents are free to express themselves and be appreciated for who and what they are. For those who have suffered at the hands of humans, a sanctuary helps to restore their sense of self.
Wolf Haven is a hands-off sanctuary, which means our animal care staff do not socialize with the wolves and there is absolutely no physical contact between visitors and the wolves under any circumstances. We operate under a philosophy and guiding principle that considers all aspects of an animal’s well-being, ensuring our residents are all treated with compassion, respect, and dignity from the day they arrive until their end of days.
What To Expect
- A beautiful, natural, and serene atmosphere.
- Guided walking visit through the Patrick Vance Dunn Memorial Prairie and the public portion of our wolf sanctuary.
- Learn about wolves, both in captivity and in the wild.
- Potentially see up to 14 sanctuary residents.
- View a special Wolf Haven video in our Visitor Center.
For accessibility information and accommodations, please contact our office at 360.264.4695 x220 or info@wolfhaven.org
Sanctuary Etiquette
Wolves are wild animals and highly sensitive to their environment. In order to enhance your visit and respect their nature, we ask that you…
- Leave your pets at home.
- Stay together as a group.
- Speak quietly and step softly.
- Mute your cell phone.
- Enjoy snacks outside of the sanctuary.
- Step off of the property to smoke.
Directions
Wolf Haven International is located 7 miles southeast of Washington’s I-5 highway. We are 77 miles south of Seattle and 105 miles north of Portland. For your convenience, blue and white signs are posted at various points along the way.
Wolf Haven International
3111 Offut Lake Rd SE
Tenino, WA 98589
Traveling I-5 South (from Seattle):
Take exit #99 off I-5, go east (turn left) on 93rd Ave.
Follow the road for 3 miles, going through two four-way stop signs.
Go to the end of 93rd Ave and when you reach the “T” junction, turn right onto Old Highway 99 and follow this road for another 4 miles.
After going through a short railroad tunnel, there will be a Chevron gas station on your right.
Take the left that is directly across from the Chevron station onto Offut Lake Road. You will see a Wolf Haven International sign by the railroad tracks.
Wolf Haven is the first right off of Offut Lake Road.
Traveling I-5 North (from Portland):
Take exit #88 off I-5, toward Tenino.
Take a right on Old Highway 99 SW and stay on it for 7.4 miles.
Old Highway 99 becomes 6th Ave SW. Turn slight left onto Wichman Street SW/WA-507
Right on Sussex Ave. W/WA-507. Veer to the left.
Turn left on Old Highway 99 N and stay on it for 3.2 miles.
Turn right onto Offut Lake Road. A Wolf Haven International sign is on the right next to the railroad tracks.
The entrance to Wolf Haven is the first right.