Gray Wolves

You're more likely to hear than to see a wolf. They're typically heard in the North Fork area.

NPS photo.

Canis lupus
Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves (C. l. irremotus) are the subspecies of gray wolves found in Glacier. There are three color variants: gray, white, and black. Wolves are secretive and elusive creatures, with sightings primarily being of lone wolves or pairs.

Wolves are not normally a danger to humans, unless habituated by humans who have provided  them with food. There has never been a known case of a wolf attacking a human in Glacier.

Details

Activity

Wildlife Watching

Pets Allowed

No

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

North Fork Valley

Spotting a wolf in Glacier requires a a great deal of luck. These are one of the park’s most elusive animals. During the last 20 years, wolves have been reported in open areas of the park in the North Fork, Many Glacier, Cut Bank, St. Mary, Belly River, and Two Medicine drainages.

Reservations

No

Season

Winter, Spring

Although still extremely rare, most sightings occur in the winter and spring.

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

In addition to driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road and other park roads, the Running Eagle Falls Nature Trail, the Swiftcurrent Nature Trail, and the Trail of the Cedars are three of Glacier’s most accessible areas.

Improvements in accessibility are being made each year, and with a bit of pre-planning, all visitors can find Glacier to be a rewarding experience. Details on Glacier's accessible facilities and services can be found on the park's website nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.