City: Manteo, NC

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (252) 473-1131, ext. 243

Address: Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

Description: Go to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to hear the red wolves howl. After sunset you meet a refuge staff person at Creef Cut Wildlife Trail at the intersection of US 64 and Milltail Road on the Dare County mainland. After a brief talk about the red wolves, you are led (in vehicles) about 6 miles back into the dark refuge. On the way you might even see some bears. In the dark woods, you get out of your car and listen as the staff person howls to elicit howls from the wolves. The wolves’ response will give you goosebumps. You can’t see the wolves, which makes them even more mysterious and adds to the allure of this experience. The 2-hour howl tours are held every Wed at 7:30 p.m. June through Sept 2. This experience costs $5, and preregistration is required. Call (252) 796-5600 to register. Free Howls are also held on Earth Day, April 22, at 7 p.m., in Oct during National Wolf Awareness Week, and again in Oct for Howl-o-ween. Join the Holiday Howl in Dec. Call to obtain the starting times and alternate dates. A threatened species, red wolves have made a comeback in northeastern North Carolina due to careful management since the early 1980s. There are 10 wolves in captivity at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and nearly 100 roaming free over about one million acres in northeastern North Carolina, including the refuge. Check the website for other fun outings.