Calgary 
Have you ever dreamed of running wild with the wolves? This Alberta organization can get you pretty darned close!
Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is an essential piece of Alberta’s wildlife and conservation efforts and offer a chance to get up close and personal with the most giant dogs you’ve ever pet.
The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary works toward wolf and wolfdog conservation through public education, rescue efforts, and by giving the wolfdogs the best possible quality of life. So what exactly is a wolfdog?
These wolfdogs are all dogs with varying degrees of wolf genes in their blood. Some are considered high-content wolfdogs, while others are considered low-content. The one thing they all share in common, however, is their cuteness. And you can see for yourself!
Visiting Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
The Sanctuary proudly welcomes visitors to the new Information Centre and Gift Shop. The area has a large parking lot, picnic tables, washrooms, and acts as the entrance to the wolfdog enclosures. From here, you can decide between different levels of interaction with the wolfdogs through Yamnuska’s tours.
For better appreciation of the sanctuary, watch “Between Dog and Wolf, “a documentary portraying Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary’s inception in 2011, emphasizing the founder, Georgina De Caigny’s journey inspiring the sanctuary’s creation.
Wolfdog Tours
You can choose how close you get to the wolfdogs. And keep in mind that some options have age restrictions for safety reasons. All tours allow you to see the dogs, while one tour will allow you to socialize with a couple of wolfdogs are each pup’s discretion (if they don’t want to see you, they’ll be left alone!).
- The self-guided Sanctuary Walk is a great way to introduce kids to the wolfdogs, or to see each pup at your own pace. Along the way, learn more about the wolfdogs through interpretive signage. An additional way to learn even more on a Sanctuary Walk is to attend a Wolfdog Wisdom Session.
- Get a little closer to the wolfdogs with the Intro Tour. You’ll get to step inside an enclosure for an educational presentation and unobstructed viewing (or photography) of the wolfdogs. Guests on this tour must be ten years or older.
- There is an opportunity to meet the wolfdogs and pet them. Yamnuska offers an Interactive Tour for ages 15 and older. This is an opportunity to meet a wolfdog pack and see how they interact
Post or Pre-Tour Picnics:
Take advantage of being in Alberta’s beautiful foothills, and plan a picnic before or after your visit to Yamnuska. Nearby are two convenient options.
- The Ghost Lake Provincial Recreation Area offers picnic tables, washrooms, and gorgeous views of both the lake and the Bow River to which it flows.
- On the east side of Cochrane is the Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, with several picnic sites and shelters, washrooms, and interpretive hiking trails.
Rescued Animal, Wildlife & Nature Sanctuaries to Visit in Alberta
Plan Your Trip: Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
What: A sanctuary and rescue organization for wolfdogs. Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is open to the public for tours, souvenirs and donations, and self-guided walks through the sanctuary.
Best time to go: open year-round, Thursday – Monday, 10am – 5pm
How much: General: $37 per person & up
Youth (6-11yrs): $22 per person & up
Location and how to get there: 263156 Range Road 53, Cochrane/Rocky View County, AB,
Use the Bow Valley Trail to access Range Rd. 53; turn north on Range Rd. 53 and Yamnuska will be on the east side of the road
For more information:
The Kuna Kummunity (the donor program that lets you directly support the care of the wolfdogs)
