Seacrest Wolf Preserve

Posing for the pictures. planan (Atlas Obscura User)

A non-profit founded by a husband and wife team in 1999, the Seacrest Wolf Preserve is the only such preserve in the Southeastern United States. Cynthia and Wayne Watkins own a 400-acre rural farm near Chipley, Florida, and within its confines maintain distinct wolf packs in large fenced tracts.

The wolves being cared for on the preserve are predominantly large gray (timber) wolves and Arctic wolves from both the United States and Canada. These wolves are displaced captive animals who faced death without locations such as this.

Along with the wolves, visitors are encouraged to interact with other small animals being cared for at Seacrest. These include arctic foxes, gray foxes, native skunks, and raccoons. Educational efforts are aimed at informing the public about the importance of maintaining healthy wolf populations in the wild.

Visitors to the preserve are welcome to come and interact with the wolf packs during a two-and-half-hour tour. There are strict rules regarding clothing and photography that are in place to protect the animals. These include the requirement for visitors to wear long pants and no open-toed shoes, and only disposable cameras are allowed in the wolves’ pens.

This is one of the few places in the world where individuals have the opportunity to touch a gray wolf or fox and learn more about these wonderful creatures.

Know Before You Go

The Saturday wolf encounter tour and small animal adventure (which is comprised of skunks, foxes, and raccoons) is $35.00 per person, for 10 years of age and up. Exclusive VIP tours are held Monday through Friday only, $250.00 each for the first two people, for a total of $500.00. Additional participants after the first two will be $100.00 each. VIP tours are usually two to six people who have up close, private and personal interaction with the wolves. Camping fees for 2018 near the Seacrest wolves are : $25.00 for primitive camping (no electrical hookup) for tents and RVs, per tent or RV per night. The Seacrest campground is only available to visitors who are engaging in the Seacrest tours.