West Yellowstone, MT – The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone Montana is a not-for-profit wildlife park and education center that allows visitors to get a close-up look at raptors, grizzly bears, and wolves. The center is currently building a river otter/riparian enclosure. Open 365 days a year from 8:30 am-7:00 pm, and located near the west gate of Yellowstone National Park, this is a great stop for tourists of all ages. The center’s located next door to the IMAX theater at 201 South Canyon. Admission costs $13 for adults (13 and older), $12.25 for seniors (62+), $8 for children (ages 5-12), and is good for two days.
A grizzly moves rocks while looking for treats in the enclosure
The visitor center is home to numerous educational displays about the animals it features. Outside are enclosures for wolves, raptors, and a large enrichment space for the grizzly bears, who rotate time there in groups of 2 or 3. The wildlife park is home to eight grizzly bears and six wolves. All but two of the bears are from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and had to be relocated due to habituation or interactions with humans. The other two bears are from Alaska and Whitefish. The raptor collection includes a great horned owl, bald eagles, golden eagle, and a hawk.
Two bears engaged in a disagreement
One of the wolves
Pair of wolves
There are numerous programs and films available throughout the day. The gift shop carries your usual items. They also have a Karelian Bear Dog (Nakiska), a breed originating in Finland and Russia that were bred for the purpose of hunting bears, wolves and moose. Fearless by nature, this breed is known for its ability to work independently in difficult conditions. Carrie Hunt, founder and director of the Wind River Bear Institute pioneered the use of these dogs in bear management. The dogs are used to chase bears out of residential areas. They offer programs featuring Nakiska. We enjoyed watching the animals and recommend this center.
