The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is such a fun place to visit! You can tell that the animals are very well taken care of. The staff is working with the animals throughout the day and wandering around the sanctuary and they’re always willing to answer any questions you have about the animals. They even let us watch a feeding!
Had a fantastic visit. The staff was very passionate towards the animals and the visitors. Staff made sure to answers any questions we had. Would recommend anyone to stop by and enjoy the animals. What a great place to visit!
What a great place to visit! The staff is very friendly and obviously passionate about their jobs and the animals they care for.
I enjoyed visiting the wildlife sanctuary. It is a very relaxing atmosphere to visit and learn about the native wildlife.
What a wonderful and special place! Nestled in the beautiful town of Red Lodge, MT, the YWS is a stop everyone should make. It brings you close enough to the animals to appreciate their existence and understand their balance with nature, but keeps the "wild" in wildlife. The crew at YWS knows what they are doing and their passion for educating others is a beautiful thing to see. Keep up the great work YWS!!!
The YWS is a fantastic non-profit with staff that truly cares about the well-being of the animals. They are always willing to answer questions and are very welcoming. The animals are amazing and all apart of the Yellowstone ecosystem, making your visit to Red Lodge even more authentic. Definitely worth the trip!
The sanctuary has always been a special place for my family. My mom was a regular visitor over the years and I have become one as well. The sanctuary offers both a place for wild animals to live out their lives while serving to educate people about animals in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Experiences with nature and animals are ways in which the public can create connections and work toward conservation and protection efforts for these animals and the ecosystem. For many visitors to Yellowstone Park, this is another opportunity to see animals up close in an environment that is safe for the visitors and the animals.
The team that works at the sanctuary has nothing but the animals best interests in mind and work tireless to care for those animals who live out their days at the sanctuary.
Donor and former board member with the Sanctuary here.
My very first experience with the sanctuary was when they rescued three mountain lion kittens. There was no way that the sanctuary was going to be able to house them, but they took them in and took care of them as best as they could until they could find a safe place for those cats to go. It was at that moment that I knew that this was an organization that I wanted to be a part of somehow. Initially I was a member, but was offered the opportunity to serve on the board. I have witnessed firsthand how dedicated the staff and board members of the sanctuary are to the animals, and to the mission of sharing the message of education and conservation about the GYE.
Apart from that, the way to the sanctuary is built onto a natural slope and setting adds to the charm and appeal of the experience of walking through and learning about these animals. I love visiting the sanctuary every time I have the opportunity to go to Red Lodge. In short, I look forward to seeing how else they continue to grow.
We started taking our children here 20 years ago, when they were in elementary school. It was exciting for them to be able to see close-up wolves, mountain lions, bears, coyotes, and other animals. They had their favorites, which they enjoyed visiting for years. Today, when I see children on school outings to the Wildlife Sanctuary or visiting with their parents or grandparents, I hope it nurtures in them the same appreciation and love of the remarkable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) that it nurtured in my children. In those 20 years, YWS has changed. YWS is now home to raptors, owls, ravens, and other GYE birds. It can no longer accept elk and deer because of chronic wasting disease. The education program has expanded, and, as wildlife and people increasingly live near each other and interact, education -- like the recent Bear Awareness Week -- is more important than ever. I hope others visit this small gem on the edge of the GYE, bring children, and support it.
We love visiting Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary when we are in Red Lodge. Go early in the morning to hear Dakota and Ginny howling a hello as you enter. It is nice to see the animals close up and it really makes you appreciate all the animals we see in nature. Reading or hearing about their stories is a great reminder about the impact people have on wildlife. What we do matters! The sanctuary staff are friendly and very informative. It is my pleasure to donate to this wonderful home for animals in need of a safe place to live out their lives. I know it is expensive to care for all the animals and the upkeep of the center. Considering giving if you are able.
My first experience seeing animals in Red Lodge, MT was at a roadside Zoo as a child with family on the way to Yellowstone Park. I moved away from Montana after High School Graduation and my next experience at seeing animals in Red Lodge was at what was then called the Beartooth Nature Center in 2006. Since then, that "Center" has changed dramatically into the non-profit Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary with many improvements that support the mission of "Providing lifelong sanctuary to non-releasable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem wildlife while sharing a message of education and conservation." I'm a donor, Board member, volunteer, and visitor and believe that the Sanctuary is providing valuable lessons of nature and proper behavior around animals in the wild for all visitors.
I’ve been enjoying the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary for years! My son spent the first few years of his life visiting almost daily as he couldn’t get enough of the animals! The staff is really incredible ♥️ I eventually started volunteering and continue to support as both a volunteer and a member. A definite “must see” when visiting Red Lodge!!
Like a little slice of heaven if you are an animal lover! The whole experience is great. The relaxed feel when you wander around and see the native animals living their best life is perfect. You can see the animals are happy, not stressed and have enrichments in their enclosure that the keepers have added. We made several visits and each time there were new enrichments for different animals and you can tell the animals are loved & cared for by people who know them. The keepers were very helpful & nice answering questions and leading tours of classrooms. Teaching about animals & the ecosystem. I can’t wait to go back!! Thank you to everyone who takes care of the sanctuary & all its residents. My favorite place to give to as I know what I give goes to taking care of the animals.