The Lakota Wolf Preserve
If you’ve ever dreamed of locking eyes with a wolf, hearing a pack’s haunting chorus ripple through the forest, or simply feeling like you’ve stepped into a National Geographic special, the Lakota Wolf Preserve is just a short drive from the Poconos.
This hidden gem offers a rare chance to see wolves, foxes, bobcats and lynx up close in a natural, forested habitat. Located in Columbia, New Jersey (Warren County), in the foothills of the Delaware Water Gap and the Kittatinny Mountains, this nonprofit facility has been welcoming visitors since 1998. Lakota is part wildlife sanctuary, part outdoor classroom, and part soul-stirring adventure.
Meet the Pack
Founded by Jim Stein and Becky Mace, the Lakota Wolf Preserve is home to four wolf packs — timber, Arctic, tundra, and British Columbian. Lakota is dedicated to the care of animals born in captivity who cannot return to the wild. What makes Lakota particularly special is its size and setting — the largest natural‐habitat preserve of its kind in the Northeastern U.S.
What to Expect
Visitors join “Wolf Watches,” guided tours where you can stroll or hop a shuttle up to the preserve. From the viewing area, you’re surrounded on all sides by the wolf compounds. Your guides explain wolf behavior, pack dynamics, and survival skills — while the wolves provide the visuals. It’s not uncommon to see playful wrestling matches, affectionate nuzzles, and, if you’re lucky, a pack howl.
A wolf pack howl is one of nature’s most haunting and primal sounds. It typically begins with a single wolf raising its muzzle skyward, releasing a long, mournful note that starts low and rises in pitch before trailing off. The sound is both melodic and wild—a deep, resonant call that seems to come from the earth itself.
Within moments, other pack members join in, each adding their own voice to create a complex symphony. The howls don’t harmonize in any human sense, but rather weave together in overlapping waves—some high and piercing, others low and throaty. Younger wolves might add yips and barks to the chorus, creating a layered tapestry of sound that can carry for miles across the landscape.
The entire chorus usually lasts between 30 seconds to two minutes. There’s something both beautiful and unsettling about it—the sound speaks to something ancient in us, a reminder of wilderness and the untamed world that once surrounded our ancestors.
The howl cuts through silence like nothing else, echoing through the forest, a declaration of presence, territory, and the unbreakable bonds of the pack.
Why it’s Worth the Trip from the Poconos
For folks in the Poconos, Lakota is close enough for a day trip or an overnight adventure. It offers something unique— the chance to learn, observe, and connect with animals that are usually heard about but seldom seen. It’s both educational and inspiring, especially for families, photographers, or anyone interested in wildlife and conservation.
Practical Info & Tips
- Location: 89 Mount Pleasant Road, Columbia, NJ 07832.
- What to bring / wear: Good walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing (it’s outdoors and terrain can be uneven), camera. Rain or shine, though tours may be cancelled in extreme weather.
- Don’t bring: Pets are not allowed. No feeding or touching the wolves. Smoking/vaping is prohibited throughout the preserve.
www.LakotaWolf.com
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