![National parks and northern states are locations where you can see wolves in the wild](https://rvshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/timber-wolves-907680_1280-1-1-768x343.jpg)
If you want tips on where to see wolves in the U.S., this article can help you out. Fortunately, many of the places where wolves in the U.S. are known to live are near excellent campgrounds and in national parks. Not only can you spot wolves, you can experience America’s Best Idea and admire the beauty of these natural areas.
Currently, wolves only occupy about 10% of their historical range in the U.S. But there are several regions where wolves have been reintroduced over the past 30 years.
Here are some tips on where to go, where to camp, and what to do to increase your chances of seeing these elusive predators.
- Northwest Colorado
- Gila and Apache National Forests
- Western Great Lakes Region
- Idaho
- Washington and Oregon
- Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center
- Lakota Wolf Preserve
- Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
- Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary
- Yellowstone National Park
- Voyageurs National Park
- Isle Royale National Park
- Denali National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
15 Places with Wolf Viewing Opportunities Across America
There are a few regions throughout the United States where wolves live in the wild. They’re primarily concentrated in the northern parts of the U.S., in the Western Great Lakes region, the northern Rocky Mountains, and the Pacific Northwest. However, you can also find wolves in Arizona and New Mexico in the Southwest.
Wolves like these areas because they have cover, so they’re especially partial to forested areas. They also like areas with plenty of food options like deer, elk, and moose. And although wolves are social animals that enjoy their packs, they try to avoid humans.
You can try looking for wolves in the wild, but you’ll have better luck spotting them in national parks than by taking your chances in different areas. Wolf territories can be vast, and they enjoy terrain that is harder for humans to access.
Northwest Colorado
Colorado began reintroducing wolves to the state in late 2023, with the release of five wolves. There are now more than 20 wolves roaming the state. They’re primarily active in Northwestern Colorado in counties including Eagle, Summit, Grand, and Jackson.
Camping in Northwest Colorado
These campgrounds near Rocky Mountain National Park are good options for camping in Northwest Colorado. Manor RV in Estes Park has full hookups, including some right on the river. It also has laundry and shower facilities, a playground, and is pet-friendly.
Spruce Lake RV Resort has full hookups, shower and laundry facilities, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Gila and Apache National Forests
The Gila National Forest in New Mexico and the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona are part of the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. They roam more than 9.88 million acres of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico and have established home ranges of 50 to 400 square miles.
Camping in Arizona and New Mexico
If you’re in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, there is primitive camping at the Rim Campground. It fits tents, pop-up campers, and short trailers or motorhomes. You’ll find campsites with a grill and picnic table and there are vault toilets, potable water, and trash pickup.
Arizona High Country Campground has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and is pet-friendly.
Near the Gila National Forest, you’ll find the Gila Hot Springs Campground. There are no hookups, but the campground accepts small, self-contained RVs. You can soak in the natural hot springs pools next to the Gila River, or visit the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just four miles away.
Mesa Campground has twelve sites with hookups, flush toilets, picnic tables, potable water, and a boat ramp at nearby Lake Roberts.
Western Great Lakes Region
There are healthy wolf populations in the Western Great Lakes Region, especially in Northern Wisconsin forests and along Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. And Minnesota’s wolf population makes up nearly half of the wolf population in the lower 48 states. Because of the number of wolves around, you may have better luck spotting one here than in other states … but they can still be shy and hard to find.
Camping in the Western Great Lakes Region
There’s lots of RV camping in the Great Lakes Region. White River RV Park & Campground in Michigan has hookups and is close to Lake Michigan. Copper Falls State Park in Wisconsin also has campgrounds. The North Campground has electric hookups and vault toilets. The South Campground has no hookups and vault toilets.
Idaho
The central and northern forests in Idaho – including the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and the Clearwater National Forest – also have good-sized wolf populations. But you can find wolves everywhere in the state from the Canadian border to the Snake River Plains. The wolf population in Idaho was estimated at 1,337 wolves in 2002, beating the state’s original recovery goal.
Camping in Central and Northern Idaho
Ravenwood RV Resort is near the Panhandle National Forests in northern Idaho. The RV park is open from May 1st through September 30th, and is also near Silverwood Theme Park. It has full hookups, a pool, a shuttle to the theme park, a convenience store, and a gift shop.
Ponderosa State Park in northern Idaho has water and electric hookups, plus an RV group campground with 50 sites that comes with full hookups. Bathrooms, hot showers, and a dump station are available in the park. Nearby McCall RV Resort has full hookups and an indoor pool, spa, and steam room.
Washington and Oregon
![You may see wolves in the wild in North Cascades](https://rvshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_137919554.jpg)
Wolf populations in both Washington and Oregon have been steadily increasing. In Washington, you might spot them in the North Cascades, the Selkirk Mountains, or the Pasayten Wilderness. In Oregon, you might see them in Douglas or Lane Counties, or in the Umpqua National Forest.
Camping in Washington and Oregon
You can camp in North Cascades National Park in Washington to try and spot some wolves. Newhalem Creek Campground inside the park has no hookups, but is close to fishing and a park visitor center. Nearby Howard Miller Steelhead Park has electric hookups and restrooms. You’ll be close to fishing, rafting, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
In Oregon, Elk Haven RV Resort has full hookups, stocked fishing ponds, river access, showers, and laundry facilities. Crater Lake RV Park is the closest RV park to Crater Lake National Park. It has full hookups, nature trails, fishing, and a small lake.
Wildlife Centers and Sanctuaries
If you really want to be guaranteed a wolf sighting, you can try a wildlife center, preserve, or sanctuary. These wolves usually can’t survive on their own in the wilderness. However, these centers offer closer views of these beautiful animals. You can also discover more about them, and learn how to support wolves and the work these centers do.
Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is less than an hour from Colorado Springs. You can take a tour to meet the resident wolves and learn about the work being done at the center. You can also take a full moon tour, or participate in a group wolf howling experience. Finally, the center offers interactive experiences with photo opportunities to document your experience.
Camping Near Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
You can find lots of campgrounds near Colorado Springs, about 40 minutes from the center. Pikes Peak RV Park has full hookups and creekside or trailside spots. There’s a camp store, laundry facilities, showers, dog runs and a seasonal dog wash station, free access to the Manitou Springs Pool & Fitness Center, and free city shuttle pickup just outside the park.
Mountaindale RV Resort has full hookups, a dog park, laundry facilities, and a playground.
Lakota Wolf Preserve
This preserve in New Jersey’s Delaware Water Gap has daily tours and photography sessions. This is the largest natural-habitat animal preserve in the Northeastern United States, featuring wolves, bobcats, lynx, and fox. Since 1998, owners Jim Stein and Becky Mace have cared for these animals and allowed visitors to see them up close while learning about the preservation of wildlife.
Camping at Lakota Wolf Preserve
The Lakota Wolf Preserve is on the grounds of Camp Taylor Campground. There are electric and water hookups, two small lakes (one of which has a swimming area), showers, and a dump station.
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
The Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in New Mexico rescues non-releasable and displaced captive-bred wolves and other wild canine species. Animals live on-site for the rest of their lives. Visitors can tour the area, learn more about the animals at the sanctuary, and in some cases, interact with the animals after the tour for a little while.
El Morro National Monument is just a short distance from the wolf sanctuary, so it makes a nice add-on before or after you visit.
Camping at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary
There is camping on-site at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. There are no hookups, and there is a port-a-potty restroom. Campsites include a fire pit. Reservations are not required.
Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary
This wolf sanctuary in Navasota, Texas houses wolves that have been rescued – often from homes where people tried to keep them as pets. Since they were born in captivity, they can’t return to the wild and they live out their days at the sanctuary. Guests can take a tour of the sanctuary to watch the wolves in their environments and hear their stories.
Camping at Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary
Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary is close to the Sam Houston National Forest, and you can find places to camp near there as well. The campground at Cagle Recreation Area on Lake Conroe has full hookups, drinking water, and is pet-friendly. New Adventure RV Park near Lake Livingston has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and is pet-friendly.
National Parks to See Wolves in the Wild
National parks are some of the best places to spot wolves in the wild. These wolves are often tracked as well, and rangers may be able to give you an idea of where they like to hang out. Here are some of the best national parks to head to for wolf viewing.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is, hands-down, the best spot for trying to spot wolves in the United States. The Lamar Valley, sometimes called “America’s Serengeti” has four major packs that visit the area. It’s widely considered the best place in the part to watch for wolves.
Several Reddit threads have advice on watching for wolves in Yellowstone. One poster recommends Slough Creek in spring and summer for good wolf viewing. They also recommended renting or buying a wildlife scope to be able to see the wolves better.
Watch for animal carcasses that might attract wolves, and for vultures and ravens that might be eyeing the same prey that interests a wolf.
Camping at Yellowstone
There are 12 campgrounds inside Yellowstone, and most can be reserved in advance. In fact, due to Yellowstone’s immense popularity, you’ll want to make reservations as soon as you know your plans. There are lots of campgrounds outside the park as well. Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park is just outside the park entrance and has full-, electric-only-, and no-hookup sites available. There are a convenience store and gift shop, a playground, a pavilion, showers, and laundry facilities.
The Wagon Wheel RV Park & Campground in West Yellowstone is just blocks from the west entrance to the park. It’s open from May 15 – October 15 and has full hookups, showers, and is pet-friendly.
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota has, at last count, over 60 wolves. The park is unique because it’s one of the few national parks that was able to maintain its indigenous wolf population.
The wolves are often seen along the shorelines of the bigger lakes in the park, and sometimes on park entrance roads. You can also look near beaver lodges, as beavers are a favorite prey for wolves. You’re most likely to spot wolves during the winter as they hunt along the lake shores. Wolves tend to be more active in the early mornings and around sunset.
Camping at Voyageurs National Park
There are campgrounds at Voyageurs, but they are only accessible via boat, except for two hike-in, primitive sites. However, there are lots of campgrounds for RVs near the park. Ash Riviera Resort is along the Ash River Trail. It has full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. There are also boat rentals, and the resort is close to a lake where you can swim and waterski.
Woodenfrog Campground is also near the park, and has a swim beach, hiking trails, and a picnic area on Lake Kabetogama. There are vault toilets and drinking water is available.
Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park covers more than 400 islands across Lake Superior, but most of the park is on one main island. The eastern end of the island is the best place to spot wolves, especially around the Rock and Tobin Harbor areas, Three Mile Campground, and the area between McCargoe Cove and Chippewa Harbor.
Although winter is the best time to see wolves, you can’t travel to the island and the park is closed during the winter months. Spring and early summer are good times to watch for the wolves since there is less foliage then – the forested areas that cover the park can make seeing wolves a challenge. You’ll have the best luck looking for wolves in the early morning or evening hours.
Camping at Isle Royale National Park
You can’t bring cars or RVs to the park islands – the only way to travel to the park is by boat or seaplane. However, there are many RV parks on the mainland, close to where you can catch park transportation. Sunset Bay RV Resort & Campground has electric and water hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station. The resort gets its name because guests can watch beautiful sunsets across the lake in the evening.
The City of Houghton RV Park is a small campground with full hookups, a fire ring, a picnic table, and a bench at most sites. Pop-up campers and tents are not allowed, because there are no bathroom or shower facilities at the campground. Rigs must be fully self-contained. The nearby Ray Kestner Waterfront Park has a swim beach, fishing piers, a boat launch, and a play area.
Denali National Park, Alaska
As with other locations, it’s hard to predict whether you’ll see wolves at Denali National Park. Some years, wolf packs will have a den or homesite near the park’s only road and your chances are much higher of spotting them then. If wolves have made a kill near the road, that also increases the likelihood you may spot one.
Areas like Sable Pass, Highway Pass, and Thorofare Pass have more open space and low vegetation, which also increases your chance of spotting a wolf. Wolves are more active early in the morning or in the evening.
An early morning bus tour is a good way to try and spot wolves, and there are also longer tours that venture deeper into the park.
Camping at Denali National Park
There are campgrounds at Denali that allow RV camping, although they do not have hookups. Riley Creek Campground is open year-round, and several others are open during the summer months. If you want a campground with more amenities, Denali Grizzly Bear Resort has electric and water hookups, showers, and laundry facilities.
Glacier National Park
![Glacier National Park is a spot where you may see wolves in the wild](https://rvshare.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/shutterstock_632941031-1024x683.jpg)
There are Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves that live in Glacier National Park. They can be tricky to spot, but with some patience, you may get lucky. The best places to see wolves are in the North Fork Area, which has the largest wolf population in the park and fewer visitors and amenities. The Polebridge area, the Camas Road, Many Glacier Valley, and the St. Mary Valley are all good places to set up for a while as well.
Wolf sightings are rare, but winter and spring offer your best chances at spotting them. Be aware that many park roads and facilities are closed during the winter, so you’ll need to plan where and when to set up accordingly. Park rangers may also have advice on finding wolves at the park.
Camping at Glacier National Park
There are 13 campgrounds inside national park boundaries, including some that are open year-round. The national park campgrounds do not have hookups. If you want more amenities, there are plenty of RV resorts outside park entrances.
West Glacier KOA is less than three miles from the west entrance to the park. It has full hookups, a seasonal pool, a hot tub, and a dog park. The KOA also has events including fly fishing clinics, pet grooming, and birds of prey demonstrations.
Johnson’s of St. Mary has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and an on-site restaurant.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is home to at least 43 wolves. The best time of year to view the wolves is during the winter. Look for them in the Willow Flats region at sunrise and sunset, at Elk Ranch Flats where they follow the bison herds, and at the National Elk Refuge.
Camping at Grand Teton National Park
There are seven campgrounds at Grand Teton, and all of them allow reservations. Campgrounds that allow RV camping are all closed during winter. However, there are some RV resorts near the park as well. The Teton Peaks Resort has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and an indoor community space along with beautiful views of the mountains. The Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground is on the shore of Hebgen Lake and has full hookups, showers, laundry facilities, and an on-site marina with watercraft for rent.
Tips for Spotting Wolves
If you’re trying to spot wolves in the wild, here are a few tips to try and increase your chances.
- Wolves are most active at twilight, so arrive just before sunrise or watch for them at dusk
- Listen for coyotes barking – they’ll sometimes sound the alarm if wolves are nearby
- Watch for birds of prey circling overhead
- Look for fresh tracks
- Bring a spotting scope and tripod, which can help you sight wolves better than binoculars
- Set up on higher ground so you can see better
- Stay near open spaces with treelines and water sources
- Stay in one spot rather than wandering around
- Dress warmly and bring a hot drink if you’ll be watching for a while
- Join wildlife forums or Reddit threads to get the latest information on good places to watch
- Stay at least 100 yards from any wolf you spot. Don’t expect to get an up-close view
Best Time to See Wolves in the U.S.
The best time to see wolves in the U.S. is during the winter months. There is less foliage to obstruct views of the wolves, and they’re more likely to stand out against the snow. The heat of summer leads wolves to turn mostly nocturnal during warmer months, napping in the shade during the heat of the day.
Wolves are more active in the early morning before sunrise and at dusk each day. You may be able to spot them as they venture out to hunt during these times.
February and March are good times to watch for wolves, since this is their mating season. They’re more likely to be active during these months. They’re also more likely to be howling or chasing during these later winter months.
If you spot wolves in late May, you may even see wolf pups. Pups are born in April and begin to venture outside and play after about three weeks. You could glimpse pups running, wrestling, and exploring their new world.
In October, colder weather begins to drive elk to lower elevations, and you may find wolves as they track their prey. Wolf pups will have grown and will be traveling with their packs while still displaying puppy-like behavior at times.
A Quick History of Wild Wolves in the United States
Wild wolves are native to the United States and North America. They roamed across North America for thousands of years until the arrival of Europeans who hunted them. As early as 1630, the Massachusetts Bay Colony established bounty laws for killing wolves. Wolves began hunting livestock, making them an even bigger target for colonists.
Bounty programs continued until 1965, offering payments for each wolf killed. By the 1950s, wolves were almost completely eradicated from the lower 48 states. The gray wolf was one of the first species that was protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
In 1979, Canadian wolves began naturally recolonizing near Glacier National Park. The first wolf den documented in more than 50 years was in 1986 and the population grew to about 48 wolves by 1994. Beginning in 1995, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and Idaho.
Today, wolves can be found in United States in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and the northern states.
How to Help the Wolf Population
If you’d like to help the wolf population, you can support conservation organizations. Donate to Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos that invest in research and conservation efforts. Learn about and study wolf reintroduction programs in different areas.
You can also practice behaviors to protect wolves while out looking for them. Do not leave food out for wolves. Properly dispose of your food scraps and garbage in secure, wildlife-proof containers. Avoid any practices that acclimate wolves to humans.
If you live in areas where wolves are known to live, install chain-link fences around animal areas and consider electric fencing to protect your animals. Install lights and motion detectors. Clear brush and vegetation that can conceal predators. And keep noisemakers on-hand to scare away wolves that get too close to homes or animals.
How to View Wolves Safely
As you look for wolves, you’ll want to practice safety measures to protect yourself and your companions. Here are some tips for safely viewing wolves in the wild.
- Watch from a distance, using a spotting scope. Plan to stay at least 100 yards from predators like wolves as you observe.
- Do not try to approach a wolf on foot or in a vehicle. Not only do you want to stay safe, you don’t want to stress or startle wolves going about their usual business.
- Do not try to attract a wolf with food or by howling.
- If you encounter a wolf, most will run away. They are usually afraid of humans.
- If the wolf does not run, face it and slowly back away. Do not run. Try to appear larger by raising your arms or standing on an elevated surface
- If you’re observing wolves from a vehicle, drive slowly – 35 mph is a good speed for viewing wildlife.
- Slower speeds not only allow you to observe animals, but they reduce your chance of hitting one accidentally.
- Be especially watchful when driving at night, at dawn, and at dusk.
- Use designated pull-outs to stop and watch for wildlife. Turn off your engine so you can hear wildlife movement and wolf howls.
- It’s best to leave dogs behind as you go wolf viewing.
- If you do bring a dog, be sure it’s on a leash and near you.
Wolves are almost always on the move and can be tricky to spot. Hopefully, this article has given you some tips on how to increase your chances of seeing these magnificent animals in their natural habitats. If you’re heading to one of the national parks to see wolves or just to explore, be sure to check out our guides. We have one for each of the national parks in the U.S.