Discover Banff Tours
Book Now
Home›Activities›Wolfdog Sanctuary – Self Guided

Wolfdog Sanctuary – Self Guided

Read verified guest reviews
Starts atCA$ 37US$ 28€ 25£ 21A$ 40
Duration: 1 Hour
Age: 6+
Departure: Throughout the day
Season: Year Round

Guaranteed departure. This tour runs as scheduled with no minimum group size — book with confidence, it won’t be cancelled for low numbers.

1 / 8
2 / 8
3 / 8
4 / 8
5 / 8
6 / 8
7 / 8
8 / 8

Overview

The self-guided tour is a great way to experience the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary at a slower or faster pace because you can take as long as you want. You can walk all of our paths to see the sanctuary and observe our packs from outside of their enclosures. Along the way, you can stop and read the educational signs that are placed throughout this Yamnuska Wolf Sanctuary to teach you interesting and key facts about wolves and wolfdogs.

During this tour, you can also join for daily Wolfdog Wisdom Sessions at 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm . These sessions are included with your admission to see, learn, and experience even more. Joining a program would allow you to ask questions and get an even more in-depth look into the life of the wolfdogs.

This tour provides a general admission into the sanctuary and is a great tour option for large groups, school groups, and any last minute visits to this Alberta wolf sanctuary.

Please note that there is no interaction with the wolfdogs on this tour. The Wolfdog Sanctuary Interactive Tour is recommended for anyone interested in this option.

Highlights

The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:

Up-close wolfdog viewing
Up-close wolfdog viewing
Self-guided Sanctuary Walk included
Self-guided Sanctuary Walk included
Prime photo opportunities
Prime photo opportunities

Tour Details

Tour Duration
1 Hour
Departure Time
Throughout the day
Age Required
6+
Season
Year Round
Day of Week
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Transport Options
Meet at the Wolfdog Sanctuary (Cochrane)

Included

  • Wolfdog Sanctuary Walk

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?+
The duration time varies from guest to guest, however typically between viewing all the wolfdogs and reading our signage, guests spend approximately 1 hour at the sanctuary.
What does the tour include?+
The experience includes an interpretive self-guided walk around the sanctuary to view the 55+ wolfdogs on site. Educational signs are placed throughout the sanctuary, so visitors are able to learn interesting and key facts about wolves and wolfdogs. There is also a gift shop at the sanctuary with a variety of merchandise for sale. All the proceeds of the items sold in the gift shop go directly towards caring for the animals at the sanctuary, as well as continuing their rescue efforts.
Where is the meeting point?+
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is located on Range Road 53 on the 1A Highway, 60 minutes from Banff and 10 minutes from Cochrane. Detailed driving directions will be included in your booking confirmation.
When does the tour run?+
The Sanctuary Walk can be done anytime year round within the regular hours of operation. The hours of operation are Thursday through Monday from 10 am to 5pm. The Sanctuary is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
What should I wear/bring?+
Tours run in all weather conditions; rain or shine, -30C or +30C. Please ensure that you dress for the weather as you will be outside for the duration of the tour, and wear appropriate footwear as this is a walking tour. On cold winter days, we highly recommend snow pants, gloves, a toque and a warm coat! We ask that tour participants refrain from wearing any real fur products, but Faux fur, sheepskin, leather and down filled jackets are fine to wear. Please avoid using any strong scents or perfumes, as wolfdogs are very sensitive to smells. Fanny packs or small cross body purses are now allowed to enter the enclosures. Large purses and backpacks are not permitted and we try to encourage people to just bring a phone/camera with them. We are able to store guest’s bags at the front desk, or they can leave them in their vehicles.
Can I touch the wolfdogs?+
No, this tour does not involve any interaction with the wolfdogs. For guests interested in this, the Wolfdog Sanctuary Interactive Tour is recommended.
Can children come on the self guided walk?+
Children must be a minimum of 6 years old to visit the Sanctuary. Note: We do not offer any visiting options for children under 6 years of age, including newborns. Why These Age Restrictions? Wolfdogs are very sensitive to children due to their size and mannerisms. The presence of younger children can disrupt the wolfdogs' comfort and natural behaviours. To ensure a safe and serene environment for our wolfdogs, we have set these age restrictions. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe space for our wolfdogs.
What are the pathways like? Is the Sanctuary accessible?+
The Sanctuary Walk is accessible. The majority of pathways are paved. Any pathways that are not paved are a packed trail terrain. We have one accessible parking spot located just past our parking lot towards the Visitor Centre.
What is a Wolfdog Wisdom Session?+
A Wolfdog Wisdom session is a 15-20 minute talk, along with an enrichment activity for one of the wolfdog packs. It's a great opportunity for visitors to learn more about the wolfdogs and ask any questions they may have, while also watching the wolfdogs engaging in a fun activity. Wolfdog Wisdom sessions are held at 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm daily.
What is the cancellation policy?+
There is a 24 hour cancellation policy, which allows you to change, cancel, or refund your booking up to 24 hours prior to your tour (or up to 7 days prior for group bookings).
Should I tip?+
Tips are not expected but the staff certainly appreciates them. If you had a great day and wish to indicate so through a tip to the staff they will be graciously accepted.

Booking Terms

  • Children must be 6 years and older.
  • This tour is wheelchair accessible.
  • No smoking is permitted on the sanctuary grounds (this includes the parking lot).
  • Please do not bring your own dogs to the Sanctuary, in your car or otherwise. This is a health and safety issue and greatly upsets the wolfdogs.
  • Photo ID may be required for identity verification.

What Our Guests Are Saying

Real, verified reviews from guests who explored the Canadian Rockies with us.

Wolfdog Sanctuary – Self Guided
From CA$ 37US$ 28€ 25£ 21A$ 40