Overnight Visits
Overnight Visits
After enjoying a day of volunteering, we welcome you to pitch a tent and listen to the wolves howl under the starry night sky. We have a primitive camping area at the sanctuary, or you can use the National Forest a half mile away if you would like more privacy. If you would like to camp overnight, contact us beforehand to plan.
Please DO NOT bring your dog to the sanctuary.
What We Offer: A flat(ish) spot to set up a tent, fire ring (usable ONLY if there is not a fire ban), rustic outdoor kitchen equipped with a stove top and few utensils, bathroom (no shower), potable water spigot and picnic table. If you did not bring a tent or did not expect to spend the night, we have a 380-square-foot tipi available for a suggested donation of $20 per person per night ($100 per night for a group of 5+). The tipi is a community space that can comfortably sleep 8+ people, so you may find yourself sharing the space with other volunteers. *(Unfortunately, strong winds this past winter tore the canvas of several tipis including the community tipi and they need to be replaced. If you want to help raise the ~$3,000 it will take to replace each one, you can make a donation and let us know it’s designated to replacing the community tipi’s canvas.)
Cost: We offer these overnight experiences on a by-donation basis. The best way to help out is to take a wolf to dinner by becoming a wolf caretaker. Volunteer support, cash donations, or items from our Wish List are also welcome.
What You Bring: Any camping equipment you need to be comfortable in our unpredictable mountain weather including: tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, appropriate clothing and shoes, etc. You must bring your own food. We are happy to provide folks with drinking water if needed but our supply can be limited and is shared among our wolves, greenhouses, and on-site staff. Please plan ahead and stock up on supplies before arriving, as the nearest town is 45+ minutes away. We are also completely off-the-grid and rely on solar energy. This means that if you need to charge any electronics, you must bring along your own external battery packs.
Timing: You can volunteer as many hours as you want before or after setting up your tent. As evening and night sets in please be respectful of the wolves, staff, and other volunteers’ need for sleep. Our quiet hour is 9pm, and lights/fire out by 10pm. The staff feed and check on the wolves in the morning from 8am-8:30am and we ask that you wait to walk around the wolves until after they are fed. If you would like to come out the night before volunteering, we ask that you arrive at least an hour before sunset so one of our staff can show you where the bathroom, water spigot, and kitchen are, and you can get your camp set up before dark. Please do not go around the wolves until you have had a tour.
Directions: GPS and Google maps are not exceptionally reliable on the 13.5 miles of dirt road to get to us. Neither is cell phone service. Many people have gotten lost due to this! Click here for our simple, accurate directions.
Surrounding Area: Our property sits adjacent to thousands of acres of National Forest. While you are here, we welcome you to explore the Wet Mountains around the sanctuary. The Sangre De Cristo mountain range sits across the valley from us, and the Great Sand Dunes National Park is a few hours drive away or a quick hike through Mosca Pass. Click here for more info about nearby hiking, camping, and other things to do.
Winter Conditions: November through May, our roads are frequently impassable due to snow drifts and deep mud. There is limited cell phone coverage on our roads. Come prepared to dig yourself out of a snowdrift or hike to find help. We recommend that you bring tire chains, a shovel, and enough clothing and food to survive a night in your vehicle at -40F degrees.
Weather: Mission:Wolf is located 9,300 feet above sea level. Mountain weather can be unpredictable; intense storms bring strong winds and precipitation throughout the year. Come prepared for the weather and the elevation. We recommend low-profile tents in case of gale-force winds. Extra tent stakes and thin cord always come in handy for wind-proofing tents.
If you wish to camp, please let us know by emailing us through our contact page. Let us know how long you want to stay and how many volunteer hours you would be able to contribute. Although we do not charge any fees for camping, donations are appreciated and are tax deductible. If you would like to bring an organized experiential education group, please read about our experiential education program.