Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Red Wolf Howling Safari)

One of the places that Ashley and I had the opportunity to visit this past summer in North Carolina was the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a very unique place with the highest population of black bears on the east coast of the United States and is one of the only areas in the world that you can see the endangered red wolf in the wild. We did the Wildlife Drive, a hike on the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, the Bear Tour, and the Red Wolf Howling Safari while visiting the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. (In the video above, the red wolf howling starts at around the 4 second mark and you can hear the wolves best around the 30 second mark and 45 second mark, you might have to turn your speakers up. Also sorry for background noise as people were walking)

Directions to Trailhead: The trailhead for the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Eastern North Carolina. The address for the trailhead is Milltail Road East Lake, NC 27953. For more information or directions to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge their office phone is: 252-473-1131 and their fax number: 252-473-1668. For directions and information for road networks in North Carolina click Here.

Description of Hike: Registration is now not required to take part in the Red Wolf Howling Safari however for inquiries about the Safaris you can call 252-216-9464. Usually the Red Wolf Howling Safari's are only offered during the summer months in North Carolina. Summer Howling Safari's cost $7 per person and Children 12 and under are free. However, they also offered Red Wolf Howling Safari's on other dates throughout the year that are free. For a list of the Red Wolf Howling Safari dates click Here. The Red Wolf Howling Safari is not a true hike, but is more of an outdoor experience. The Red Wolf Howling Safari begins at the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking area. For a map of that location click Here. The Red Wolf Howling Safari begins with a informational gathering where you learn about the Red Wolf. This is a perfect adventure for kids to do. After the informational portion of the Red Wolf Howling Safari, you travel in a large caravan of cars deep into the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to a secluded location deep in the woods. Here, you howl and hopefully the wolves howl back at you!

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed the Red Wolf Howling Safari. The informational portion of the Safari was great. You get to learn about the almost extinction of the Red Wolf and how the captive breeding program has led to the re-introduction of the Red Wolf into the wild again. Their program is modeled similarly to the program used to introduce the grey wolf back into the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. You can also hold the pelts of Red Wolfs that have died of natural causes at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Red Wolf Howling Safari is something that the entire family will enjoy. There were many families on the safari when we went as we can tell it is a popular program. The Red Wolf Howling Safari typically lasts about two hours. You are going to want to make sure you bring a flashlight and insect repellent. Also, dress for the weather; the Red Wolf Howling Safari will occur except with lightning, heavy rain, or wind or impassable roads. Decision to cancel will be made at least 1.5 hours prior to the scheduled program. Also, plan ahead! The Creef Cut Wildlife Trail is about a 20 minute drive from Manteo. (Picture on this paragraph from Durham Museum of Life and Science)

Make sure you exercise patience when you get to the howling portion of the safari. The wolves usually cooperate and howl back at you (But it is not always guaranteed). It took the wolves about 15 minutes to begin to howl back at us. Unfortunately by that some people had given up and began to walk back to the place their cars were parked. Overall, Ashley and I would highly recommend the Red Wolf Howling Safari. We really enjoyed it in addition to spending a day at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. (Picture on this paragraph from Durham Museum of Life and Science)

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 0.25 Miles (Very Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 2 hours.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE ALLIGATOR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Creef Cut Wildlife Trail

Red Wolf Howling Safari (This Post)

Wildlife Drive

View Red Wolf Howling Safari in a larger map

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Creef Cut Wildlife Trail)

One of the places that Ashley and I had the opportunity to visit and hike in was the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a very unique place with the highest population of black bears on the east coast of the United States and is one of the only areas in the world that you can see the endangered red wolf in the wild. We did the Wildlife Drive, a hike on the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, the Bear Tour, and the Red Wolf Howling Safari while visiting the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

Directions to Trailhead: The trailhead for the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Eastern North Carolina. The address for the trailhead  is Milltail Road East Lake, NC 27953. For more information or directions to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge their office phone is: 252-473-1131 and their fax number: 252-473-1668. For directions and information for road networks in North Carolina click Here.

Description of Hike: The Creef Cut Wildlife Trail is a half-mile long (1 mile roundtrip) hike with minimal elevation gain. It is an out an back hike. There is an informal trail that continues all the way to the highway which would make the total hike close to 2.5 miles roundtrip. It is a universally-accessible trail that's ideal for school groups or families, as well as individuals. A kiosk at the trailhead provides information about the refuge and the habitats and wildlife that occur. Also at the trailhead is a universally-accessible fishing platform. Since there is a canal that links this site directly with South Lake, there is a constant supply of crappie, bluegill, and other freshwater fish. A state fishing license is required.Interpretive signs along the trail identify vegetation types or wildlife that may be seen in the area. A 200-foot boardwalk takes visitors out onto the freshwater marsh to the north of the trail. On the south, an overlook provides viewing of the Creef Moist Soil management area where waterfowl, raptors, and other migratory birds can be seen. The entire Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is open during daylight hours only, a 1/2 hour before sunrise to a 1/2 hour after sunset. The speed limit on all refuge roads, unless otherwise posted, is 35 miles per hour. Motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated roads. For a map of the trails location Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our hike on the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The majority of the trail is paved, which is good because of the marshy terrain this Coastal North Carolina Hike goes through. You have an excellent chance of seeing wildlife while on this hike. When Ashley and I were on the trail there were fresh black bear tracks that crossed the trail in several places. Additionally, we were told that alligators frequent some of the ponds there.

The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a broad expanse (152,000 acres) of wildlands and waters. There are many options available to explore the refuge and the designated wildlife drive and trails offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Black bear, deer, river otters, and red wolves, along with a variety of birds, reptiles, and amphibians may be seen here. During the winter months, large numbers of waterfowl and other migratory birds are present.

We would suggest that you make sure to bring plenty of insect repellent and water, especially during the hot summer months. Additionally, to better see wildlife at the viewing areas, you might want to bring a pair of binoculars. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide variety of programs that you can attend. They have the Red Wolf Howling Safari, Bear Tours, and much more. For a list of programs click Here.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 30 minutes to 1 hour.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE ALLIGATOR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Creef Cut Wildlife Trail (This Post)

Red Wolf Howling Safari

Wildlife Drive


View Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Creef Cut Wildlife Trail) in a larger map

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Wildlife Drive)

One of the places that Ashley and I had the opportunity to visit and explore was the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a very unique place with the highest population of black bears on the east coast of the United States and is one of the only areas in the world that you can see the endangered red wolf in the wild. We did the Wildlife Drive, a hike on the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail, the Bear Tour, and the Red Wolf Howling Safari while visiting the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

Directions to Trailhead: The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located in Eastern North Carolina. The address for the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is Milltail Road East Lake, NC 27953. Office Phone: 252-473-1131, Fax: 252-473-1668. For directions and information for road networks in North Carolina click Here.

Description of Hike: The wildlife drive, is not a hike, but is a drive through the vast expanse of the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge. The drive allows you to see how expansive the Alligator National Wildlife Refuge is and provides you with an excellent opportunity to view wildlife. While on the drive Ashley and I did see 2 black bears. There is no cost to drive on the refuge, but donations are welcome. The refuge is open during daylight hours only, a 1/2 hour before sunrise to a 1/2 hour after sunset. The speed limit on all refuge roads, unless otherwise posted, is 35 miles per hour. Motorized vehicles are allowed only on designated roads. When driving on the refuge, when you stop, make sure that your vehicle does not block the road, or you risk the possibility of citations. One other priority is to make sure you have a full gas tank when you go on the drive as there are no gas stations in the immediate vicinity. For a map of the drive click Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our visit to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. We especially enjoyed the wildlife drive because it truly allowed us the opportunity to see the wide variety of habitat and large expanses of land that compose the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a broad expanse (152,000 acres) of wildlands and waters. There are many options available to explore the refuge and the designated wildlife drive and trails offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Black bear, deer, river otters, and red wolves, along with a variety of birds, reptiles, and amphibians may be seen here. During the winter months, large numbers of waterfowl and other migratory birds are present.

Ashley and I had the chance to see many different types of birds and we even saw two black bears while on our drive in the refuge as well as several deer. Wildlife in the refuge is usually most active at dusk and dawn. Ashley and I highly recommend that you bring plenty of insect repellent and water, especially during the hot summer months. Additionally, to see the wildlife best, make sure to bring a pair of binoculars or even better a spotting scope! Furthermore, the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide variety of programs that you can attend. They have the Red Wolf Howling Safari, Bear Tours, and much more. For a list of programs click Here.

Rating: Elevation Gain: Varies depending on how much you get out of your car (Easy), Distance: Varies depending on how much you get out of your car (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours. (It really depends on how long you stop to watch for wildlife in each area.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE ALLIGATOR NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Creef Cut Wildlife Trail

Red Wolf Howling Safari

Wildlife Drive (This Post)

View Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in a larger map