Perhaps nowhere else in North Carolina will you find more natural habitat diversity than in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge located in Dare and Hyde counties in Eastern North Carolina. Comprised of 152,000 lowland acres, the refuge is home to a variety of habitats and species.

Google Maps

The mainland portions of the refuge cover a massive area measuring approximately 28 miles by 15 miles.

Wikipedia/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters - Point Peter aerial photo Uploaded by Dolovis

There are many things to do and see at the Wildlife Refuge Center including canoe tours, van tours, tram tours and…

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a few other wildly popular and unconventional tours that involve the permanent residents of the refuge.

Wikipedia/Alligator National Wildlife Refuge/Garry Tucker, USFWS.

But by far, the most popular of the programs offered by the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge are the Red Wolf Howling treks.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The howlings involve learning a bit about the endangered creature found within the refuge. And then taking a guided trek through for an adventure of a lifetime.

Flickr/Timothy J

The Red Wolf is one of the most endangered species of wolves in the world. On this adventure, your guide will attempt to get them howling so you can hear the beauty of the beast.

Flickr/USFWS Endangered Species Follow

The Red Wolf Howlings take place all year, but at different times and days depending upon the season.

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During June, July and August the 90-minute adventure is offered on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. for a mere cost of $10 (children under 12 are free). During the off-season, the same program is offered for free on certain Saturdays. You can view those Saturday dates in the small box labeled “Other Programs” at this link.

Flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters Follow No reservation is required. Find more information about the Red Wolf Howlings on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service official website here.

Interested in this adventurous trek into the refuge to hear the haunting howls of the endangered Red Wolf? Just meet at the Alligator Refuge Creef Cut Wildlife Trail parking lot prior to the start time of the program. If paying in cash, you’ll need to bring exact change. MC and Visa are also accepted forms of payment. The parking lot is located on Milltail Road in East Lake, North Carolina. Here’s a link to the physical location on a Google Map.

Google Maps

Wikipedia/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters - Point Peter aerial photo Uploaded by Dolovis

Flickr/bobistraveling

Wikipedia/Alligator National Wildlife Refuge/Garry Tucker, USFWS.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Flickr/Timothy J

Flickr/USFWS Endangered Species Follow

Flickr/Valerie

Flickr/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters Follow

No reservation is required. Find more information about the Red Wolf Howlings on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service official website here.

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