Entry No. 13 — the Pueblo file — filed under: outdoor-weird
Mission: Wolf
“Now you make the pilgrimage.”
Kent Weber started rescuing captive-born wolves in 1986; around 30 wolves and wolf-dogs now live at 9,300 feet in the Wet Mountains, at the end of miles of dirt road your GPS will get wrong. The whole place runs off-grid — a solar eco-village volunteers built from recycled materials. Tours are free two days a week, and if the pack approves, a wolf greets you eye-to-eye, nose to your teeth. For two decades they bussed ambassador wolves 15,000 miles a year to meet schoolkids and politicians; now you make the pilgrimage.
The move: Book a morning tour slot, pack lunch and a tent, and stay over at the free primitive campsites — the pack starts howling after dark, under some of the blackest sky in Colorado.
📍 Before you go Do not trust Google Maps — print the sanctuary's own turn-by-turn directions, because the last stretch is miles of remote dirt road with no cell service, and from November into May snow drifts and mud can demand 4WD and a shovel. Visits run on a couple of set days a week as free booked time slots through their site, so reserve before driving out. The nearest town is 45 minutes away: bring lunch, water, and layers for all four seasons; kids under 8 and dogs are largely off the table. Camping at the primitive sites (outdoor kitchen, fire ring) is the move — or pair the drive with Bishop Castle on CO-165 or a stop in dark-sky Westcliffe.
- 📍 Gardner (45 min from Westcliffe)
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 13388 County Road 634, Gardner, CO 81040
Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4
last checked: 2026-06-11