Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
Up close with wolves, foxes, and coyotes.
Table of Contents
- What It Is
- Getting There
- The Tours
- The Animals
- For Kids
- Practical Information
- A Sample Visit
- Conservation Message
- Gift Shop
- Connecting to Your Trip
What It Is
The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide is a sanctuary and education center home to wolves, foxes, and coyotes. Through guided tours, visitors can observe these often-misunderstood predators up close while learning about their biology, behavior, and conservation.
Why Visit
- Close to Eleven Mile – Only 12 miles, 20 minutes
- Unique experience – Wolves rarely seen in the wild
- Educational – Perfect for curious kids
- Conservation message – Understanding predators and ecosystems
- Intimate tours – Small groups, personal experience
Getting There
From Eleven Mile: ~12 miles, ~20 minutes
- Head east toward Lake George
- Continue on US-24 toward Divide
- Turn left (north) on CO-67
- Watch for signs to the center
Address: 4729 Twin Rocks Road, Divide, CO 80814
The Tours
Standard Tour
Duration: ~1 hour What you’ll see: Various wolf packs, foxes, coyotes Format: Guided walk through sanctuary with presentations at each enclosure Best for: All ages
Your guide will share:
- Individual animal stories and personalities
- Wolf pack dynamics
- Differences between wolves, coyotes, and foxes
- Conservation status and challenges
- Myth-busting about predators
Specialty Tours (Check Availability)
| Tour | Focus | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Photography Tour | Close-up photo opportunities | Smaller groups, more time |
| Full Moon Tour | Evening howling experience | Seasonal, book ahead |
| Wolf Encounter | Extended interaction | Limited availability |
| Educational Programs | School-group style | Good for structured learning |
Check the website for current offerings and reservations.
The Animals
Gray Wolves
The center houses several gray wolf packs with distinct personalities and histories. Many are rescues from situations where they couldn’t survive in the wild or were surrendered from private ownership.
What you’ll learn:
- Pack hierarchy and social structure
- Communication (body language, vocalizations)
- Hunting and survival adaptations
- Why wolves matter in ecosystems
Coyotes
Smaller than wolves but equally fascinating. The center’s coyotes demonstrate the differences and similarities between canid species.
Foxes
Red and possibly other fox species show the diversity within the wild dog family.
For Kids
Why Kids Love It
- Real animals – Not pictures or videos
- Stories – Each animal has a name and history
- Howling – Sometimes the wolves howl (magical)
- Questions answered – Guides encourage curiosity
- Manageable duration – Long enough to learn, short enough to hold attention
Preparing Kids
Before visiting:
- Watch age-appropriate wolf documentaries
- Read books about wolves (check library)
- Discuss: “What do you want to learn?”
- Emphasize: These are wild animals, we observe quietly
During the tour:
- Encourage questions to guides
- Practice patient observation
- Watch animal behavior, not just animals
- Listen for sounds
After visiting:
- Discuss favorite animals
- Draw or write about the experience
- Connect to wildlife seen at Eleven Mile
Age Considerations
| Age | Notes |
|---|---|
| Under 5 | May struggle with patience; keep expectations modest |
| 5–8 | Sweet spot; curious, engaged, questions galore |
| 9–12 | Old enough for deeper learning; may want specialty tour |
| Teens | Depends on interest; photography tour may appeal |
Practical Information
Reservations
Required: Tours are guided and limited in size. Book in advance, especially summer weekends.
How to book: Check wolfeducation.org or call the center
Hours
Vary by season. Generally:
- Morning and afternoon tour times
- Closed certain days
- Verify before driving over
Cost
Varies by tour type. Standard tours typically ~$20–25/adult, less for children. Check current pricing.
Duration
Plan for:
- Tour duration (~1 hour for standard)
- Arrival/check-in time (~15 minutes)
- Gift shop browsing (~15–30 minutes)
- Total: 1.5–2 hours
What to Bring
- Camera (photography allowed on most tours)
- Layers (outdoor facility)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sun protection
- Water
- Cash for gift shop
Rules
- Stay on paths
- Don’t reach toward enclosures
- Keep voices moderate (wolves are sensitive)
- Follow guide instructions
- No feeding animals
A Sample Visit
Short Visit (Morning)
9:00 AM: Depart Eleven Mile 9:20 AM: Arrive Colorado Wolf Center 9:45 AM: Tour begins 10:45 AM: Tour ends 11:00 AM: Gift shop 11:30 AM: Depart 11:50 AM: Back at camp for lunch
Extended Day (Combine with Other Activities)
Morning: Wolf Center Early afternoon: Garden of the Gods or Manitou Springs (same direction) Late afternoon: Return to camp
Or:
Morning: Wolf Center Lunch: Woodland Park (various restaurants) Afternoon: Return to camp via scenic route
Conservation Message
The center emphasizes wolf conservation and ecosystem health. Key points:
Why wolves matter:
- Keystone predators in healthy ecosystems
- Control prey populations (elk, deer)
- Create “trophic cascades” benefiting many species
Why they’re controversial:
- Rancher/livestock conflicts
- Fear and misunderstanding
- Hunting regulations debate
- Reintroduction controversies
The center presents balanced education, encouraging visitors to form informed opinions.
Gift Shop
Supports the center’s mission. Typical items:
- Wolf-themed merchandise
- Books (wolf biology, fiction)
- Stuffed animals
- Apparel
- Artwork
Good place for kid souvenirs with meaning beyond “I went here.”
Connecting to Your Trip
At Eleven Mile
After visiting the Wolf Center, tie the experience to your time at the park:
Wildlife watching:
- Listen for coyotes howling at night (you WILL hear them)
- Compare coyote behavior to what you learned about wolves
- Discuss predator-prey relationships when you see deer
Conversations:
- What would it be like if wolves lived at Eleven Mile?
- Why do some people fear wolves?
- How do predators help ecosystems?
For kids:
- Draw a food web including wolves
- Write a short story from a wolf’s perspective
- Create a “wolf journal” entry about the visit
The Howl: If you’re lucky, the wolves will howl during your visit. It’s primal, beautiful, and haunting. It connects you to a sound that humans have heard for tens of thousands of years—a sound that for most of human history meant something quite different than safety.