Wolf Centre: An Ontario Signature Educational Experience
Inspiring the Conservation of Wolves
Educating the Public About Wolf Behaviour and Wolf Ecology
The Wolf Centre is a 5,000 square foot, all indoor facility that houses self-guided, museum-style exhibits, a cinema and classroom, a souvenir shop, a large indoor observatory, and it is wheelchair accessible! Our staff are onsite to answer any questions you may have, so don’t be shy! The wolves are viewed through one-way glass from inside the building. Visit the observatory and maybe catch a glimpse of Haliburton Forest’s wolf pack: permanent residents of Haliburton Forest since 1993.
Our mission is to educate, so you can personalize your visit by asking our friendly staff more about our wolves.
FAQs
Your admission is good for the date purchased, during our open hours. Should you wish to step out for a hike or some lunch, you will be able to re-enter by presenting your receipt.
Admission can be purchased upon arrival, or online in advance. Admission is non-refundable.
Rate | ||
Adult | 18+ | $13.28 |
Youth | age 6 to 17 | $7.96 |
Infant | age 6 or under | FREE |
Family | 2 Adults & 2 youth in the same household |
$26.55 |
Group | 8 or more adults | $10.62 |
*Prices do not include tax.
On top of the awesome programming and events we offer, the Wolf Centre is also a great venue for your special occasion or event.
Our observation room or theatre makes for a perfect private space and catering is available onsite from Boshkung Smokehouse.
Special Experiences: Aside from General Admission, we also offer unique, custom and private experiences. Our current experiences are listed below. Click the links to find out more and to book.
For private admission, events, birthday parties, etc., please email mwigmore@haliburtonforest.com
General Admission: Guide yourself through our all indoor education centre and its many museum displays, watch a documentary in our theatre, visit the gift shop and of course, view the wolves from one of two indoor observation areas. Our friendly staff are on hand to interpret and answer the questions you have while visiting, so don’t be shy!
Public Wolf Howls: Join us Thursday evenings in July and August for our Public Wolf Howls. This program is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour in length and includes a presentation from staff about wolves, a short hike and of course, an attempt to get our resident pack to howl back. Doors open at 7:30 pm, program begins at 8:00 pm. No reservations are required, admission is by donation.
This program takes place at the Seminar Building at Base Camp (1095 Redkenn Rd) NOT at the Wolf Centre (1305 Redkenn Rd).
Snowshoe Rentals:
Add to your day by renting a pair of snowshoes and exploring our complimentary trails. Rentals are available throughout the winter during Wolf Centre open hours for onsite use only.
Save 10% off your rentals when you book them as an add-on to your Wolf Centre Admission. Discount available for online or over-the-phone advanced reservations only.
*Please note that there are not trails from which the wolves are visible. Wolf observation is strictly only from inside the Wolf Centre.*
Special Experiences: Aside from General Admission, we also offer unique, custom and private experiences. Our current experiences are listed below. Click the links to find out more and to book.
For private admission, events, birthday parties, etc., please email mwigmore@haliburtonforest.com
No. Our facility is designed to mimic the wild as closely as possible, so we do not touch or interact with our wolves in any way. They are unsocialized and because of this they maintain their fear of humans like a wild wolf. This also means they maintain much of the behaviour and social structures of wild packs, and we are able to observe them in a way that is not typically possible in a zoo environment.
Our wolves can only be viewed through the one-way glass of our indoor observation rooms. The entire facility is indoors and does not offer outdoor viewing. If you would like to spend some time outside while you are here, visit our Main Office to speak with our staff about day pass options for using our spring to fall hiking/biking trails.
There is no particular time of day, or day of the week that is better than another to view the wolves. While most days, most of our pack chooses to hang out within sight, we cannot guarantee the wolves will be visible or active at the time of your visit. We do recommend visiting in the winter to see the majesty of wolves in their thick winter fur. They are also typically more playful and active in the cooler weather.
We typically recommend to plan to spend about 45 minutes to 1 hour minimum just to see all the displays, read some info and ask a few questions. If you stay for a video presentation in the theatre, add another 20-45 minutes. Some guests spend several hours watching the wolves, while others prefer a quick peek through. The choice is yours.
Your admission is good for the date purchased during our open hours. Should you wish to step out for a hike or some lunch, you will be able to re-enter by presenting your receipt/hand stamp.
Our wolves eat once every 5-10 days on a randomized schedule designed to mimic the feeding patterns of a wild pack. We do not publicize when we will be feeding the wolves, to prevent adding additional stress to mealtime.
Our wolves are fed 15-20 pounds of meat each at feeding time – a mix of beaver as well as roadkill deer and moose. All the food our wolves receive is already dead, as it is not humane to put in a live animal that has no chance of escaping, like it would in the wild.
Just over 7 acres! There is a divider fence located near the building that sections off part of their enclosure and has four gates in it that are always open for the wolves to come and go through to the larger area. Because of the size of the enclosure, the wolves are not always visible from the observation areas, and we cannot guarantee you will see them.
The Wolf Centre is located on one floor with an accessible entry ramp.
The restrooms are located down the stairs. Main floor restrooms can be found either at our Base Camp comfort station or at Boshkung Smokehouse for their patrons.
Benches are located throughout the centre for seating. While we always recommend bringing your own, we have 1 rolling walker with a seat available upon request.
We do not charge admission for required support person/s. A support person may be a paid personal support worker, an intervenor, volunteer, family member or friend required to assist a person with a disability with communication, mobility, personal care or with accessing our facility.
Service animals are permitted so long as they are wearing their service vest and maintain appropriate behaviour.
Thank you for thinking of us for a charitable donation.
Haliburton Forest Wolf Centre is funded through user fees, admissions, programs, merchandise sales, etc. As such, we prefer guests defer charitable donations to another wildlife education, research or rehabilitation facility of their choosing.
If you would like a recommendation, we are happy to point you in the direction of another awesome facility that would benefit from your support.
All photography and videography, including our own social media content, is captured through the one-way glass of our observation areas.
Zoom and polarized lenses may be an asset for shooting through the one-way glass. The wolves may be as close as 15 ft, so bringing multiple lenses may also help you capture the perfect shot.
We recommend photographers wear dark colours to help with glare.
Read more about the history of Haliburton Forest’s Wolf Pack or learn more about our Wolf Centre in this video.
Upcoming Events
**Events require advanced registration.**
**General Admission will be closed during these events**
Bookings can be made by selecting the corresponding date in the booking calendar or over the phone.
Oct 12 @ 6-8 pm – Wings & Wolves
Nov 16 @ 3-5 pm – Painting With Wolves
Nov 23 @ 3-5 pm – Wings & Wolves
Dec 14 @ 4-6 pm – Painting With Wolves
January 3 @ 4-6 pm – Painting With Wolves
January 18 @ 3-5 pm – Wings & Wolves
February 15 @ 3-5 pm – Wings & Wolves
March 11 & 14 @ 4-6 pm – Painting With Wolves
March 12 & 15 @ 3-5 pm – Wings & Wolves
April 12 @ 3-5 pm – Wings & Wolves
Public Wolf Howls run weekly on Thursdays in July & August. Click here for more information.
Make a Day of it!
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Stay Overnight
Camping and Accommodations are available on site. Reservations strongly encouraged.
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Canopy Tours
Enjoy breathtaking views on this 3.5 to 4 hour Canopy Tour. Your guide will take you on an adventure in 4 parts:
A scenic drive, paddle a canoe, a guided hike, and the Canopy Tour itself, where you’ll walk through the treetops at 10-20 metres above the ground.
Advance booking required.
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Snowshoe Trails and Rentals
Enjoy over 13 km of winter hiking/snowshoeing trails starting right from the Wolf Centre parking lot.
Bring your own, or rent snowshoes right on site!
*The wolves can not be viewed from these trails.*
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Beyond the Forest
Explore more of Haliburton with an exciting custom experience with Yours Outdoors!
Rock Hounding, Geocaching, Guided Ice Fishing, Guided Snowmobiling, Glass blowing and so much more
Hours of Operation:
Closures:
October 21- November 4th, 2024 – Anticipated Closure for maintenance. Dates subject to change.
Peak Season (June 29 – September 8, 2024)
Daily | 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Off season (September 9, 2024 – June 27, 2025)
Mon – Fri | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Weekends & Holidays | 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
*Holidays include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas School Holidays, Family Day, March Break, Easter, Victoria Day*
Last admission 30 minutes before close.
**General Admission will close 15 minutes prior to any scheduled special events taking place during regular operating hours.
Ex. If the hours are 10:00 am – 4:30 pm, and a special event is scheduled for 3:00 pm, general admission will close at 2:45 pm.**
When in doubt, please call ahead!
Phone: 1-705-457-6001
1305 Redkenn Road, Haliburton, ON, Canada