Lakota Wolf Preserve

About Lakota Wolf Preserve

Lakota Wolf Preserve is located at 89 Mount Pleasant Road in Columbia, New Jersey, in Warren County in the Delaware Water Gap mountains. The preserve's website describes it as a nonprofit dedicated to the care of, and education about, wolves, bobcats, foxes and lynx. The site states that Lakota "is the largest natural-habitat animal preserve with wolves, bobcat, lynx and fox in the Northeastern United States." The preserve is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The preserve states that it provides habitats for animals that were born in captivity and are unable to return to the wild. It operates guided educational tours and offers separate photography sessions.

History

According to the preserve's website, it was founded in 1998, and it names James Stein and Becky Mace as its founders.

Exhibits and habitats

Visitors do not walk through the animal habitats. The tour page describes an observation area surrounded by four wolf packs, where a guide gives a presentation on wolf social structure and behavior. A second viewing area is used for the foxes, bobcat and lynx. The FAQ says the route involves about 75 yards uphill on gravel to the wolf observation area, and a similar distance on relatively flat ground to the bobcat and fox presentation, and that no extensive walking is required between the two areas.

Conservation and programs

The preserve's homepage says it partners with the Relist Wolves organization to advocate for wolf protection. It states that wolves have been delisted from the endangered species list and are no longer protected in the Northern Rocky Region. The preserve also accepts monetary donations, runs a merchandise shop and maintains a wish list for direct purchases.

Guided tours. The tours page lists tours beginning at 10:30 a.m. or 3:00 p.m., lasting about 75 minutes in total. Visitors choose between a half-mile nature walk or a shuttle bus to reach the preserve. Tours are not private, and the page says that if the booking system will not accept a party's full size, the tour is fully booked and another date or time is needed. Bookings open about three months in advance.

Photography sessions. The photography page lists a two-hour guided session per photographer, for ages 16 and older, with one non-photographer guest permitted under a special permit. Foxes, bobcats and lynx are excluded from these sessions. The page says the photography season typically runs from September to April, to avoid summer heat stress and winter coat shedding, and that sessions on Wednesday through Sunday begin at 7:30 a.m., while Monday and Tuesday sessions can start at a time of the photographer's choice.

Groups. The tours page says reservations for schools, Scouts and other groups are made and prepaid online.

Planning your visit

Booking and arrival. Tickets are booked in advance through the preserve's website, and ticket prices are listed there. The tours page asks visitors to arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. for the morning tour or between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon tour. The page states that late arrivals cannot be accommodated.

Rules. The tours page states that physical interaction with and feeding of the animals are not permitted. The FAQ says violators of the no-feeding rule will be asked to leave without a refund. The FAQ says smoking and vaping are prohibited at the preserve. Pets are not allowed, and the tours page asks visitors with a service animal to call before booking.

What to wear. The venue is outdoors with no weather shelter, and tours run rain or shine. Closed-toe, flat shoes are suggested, and open-back shoes are not permitted on the hiking trail. The page asks winter visitors to call ahead, as icy conditions can close the preserve.

Accessibility. The FAQ says a shuttle bus runs from the parking area to the preserve entrance and has a wheelchair lift. The terrain is uneven and unpaved. The FAQ says motorized chairs and scooters are not recommended because visitors using them have tipped over, and that pushable wheelchairs are feasible with assistance.

Cancellations. The tours page describes a standard refund policy and an optional protection plan. Details are on the preserve's website.

Contact. The listed phone number is 908-496-9244 and the email address is info@lakotawolf.com.