Adventures in Florida: The Seacrest Wolf Preserve

I experienced the adventure of a lifetime when my dad, sister and I took a trip to the Seacrest Wolf Preserve. Tucked away in Chipley, Florida, the Seacrest Wolf Preserve was one of those bucket list items I never even knew I had until recently. I come from a long line of animal lovers, so visiting the Seacrest Wolf Preserve was the perfect family getaway.

About Seacrest Wolf Preserve

For those who are unfamiliar, the Seacrest Wolf Preserve is a non-profit organization dedicated to wolf conservation. Covering more than 400 acres, the preserve is a safe haven for several wolf packs, as well as foxes, skunks, a coyote, and other wildlife. Seacrest offers both public and private tours, allowing visitors to meet and interact with the wolves and smaller animals.

Our Experience

For our first visit, we checked out the Saturday Wolf Encounter Tour for $25 admission. When we arrived, we met Cynthia Watkins, one of Seacrest’s co-founders. It was easy to see her passion for these beautiful animals. During our visit, we toured three wolf habitats and met the packs who live there. We also visited the foxes and skunks (and one mean coyote) in the small animal areas.

This experience was life-changing, and I can’t wait to return for another visit. Within the wolf habitats, we were actually able to pet, play and howl with the wolves. We even received a few wolf kisses! I fell in love with an energetic 10-month-old pup who reminded me a lot of my first German Shepherd at that age. 🙂

Wolf Conservation

Throughout the day, we learned about how packs form and how difficult it truly is to be a “lone wolf.” We also learned about why conservation efforts are a necessity, as wolves are incredibly vital to the ecosystem, and how greed and legislation have put their lives in danger.

We talked about how important it is to speak for the wolves, because they cannot speak for themselves. Supporting organizations like Seacrest is a great way to give back to these incredible animals and fight against the legislation that has put them in harm’s way. Visiting the preserve gives you a greater appreciation and empathy for an often misunderstood creature. It is a must-do for anyone who wants to get up close and personal with a wolf.

I’m excited to return with my family for a VIP Tour in the near future! I highly recommend Seacrest for all animal lovers. It’s an experience you won’t forget.