Most people – including residents – have no idea that you can have a wolf encounter in New Mexico. That is because those people haven’t been to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary in the tiny, unincorporated community of Candy Kitchen, which is located roughly 60 miles south of Gallup. Both the community and the sanctuary are remote.

Candy Kitchen, according to legend, got its name from a local rancher who made moonshine liquor during the Prohibition era. As a front for purchasing large amounts of sugar to produce his liquor, he manufactured piñon nut candy. People would come to his ranch to purchase candy over the counter and illegal liquor under the counter.

That was the only exciting history about Candy Kitchen, until the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary was founded nearly 30 years ago.

The 90-acre sanctuary houses rescued wolves and wolf-dogs that can no longer live in the wild due to injury, captivity, etc. It is home to more than 60 wild animals, which are housed in pairs or groups, much like they would travel with in the wild.

The owner and founder, Jacque Evans, became aware of the increasing number of these unwanted animals and their unique needs, and because she had land in Northwestern New Mexico, realized the need for a sanctuary for these magnificent animals. That is when she began a rescue for wolves. Then in 1993, Barbara Berge joined her in the journey to create a fully functioning non-profit in Candy Kitchen that is now known as the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary.

Currently, the sanctuary is managed by the executive director, Leyton Cougar, who began his journey with Wild Spirit as just a volunteer in 2003. His passion for the animals was apparent to both Jacque and Barbara, so when they retired, he was named executive director, and is now carrying the weight of this safe haven for these beautiful animals on his shoulders.

The Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is happy to invite guests in to have a one-of-a-kind wolf experience, right on site! To reach Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, you bump along a gravel road into, well, the middle of nowhere. The wolves’ howls carry through this quiet area, providing a beautiful, but almost eerie greeting.

Visitors are allowed a guided tour with one of the knowledgeable guides. They are experienced with both wolves in general and these wolves specifically. During the tour, they share information about the different animals’ personalities and their backstories that live at the sanctuary.

If some of the names sound familiar, it’s because author George R. R. Martin and his wife support the sanctuary and named the Westeros Pack after the “Game of Thrones” characters. Seems suited for these wild spirited animals. Don’t worry though, during the tour, there is a fence separating you from the animals, so it is completely safe for visitors.

For a unique experience, sign up for a feeding tour, where you can accompany sanctuary volunteers as they give the wolves their breakfast.

If you’d like to get even closer, it’s worth paying for one of the encounters. You can even take a 30-minute walk in the company of an ambassador wolf. If that is a bit too intense for you, there is the opportunity for a canine encounter tour instead, which allows you to interact with the sanctuary’s wolves, wolf-dogs, Australian Dingos, and New Guinea Singing Dogs.

If one tour isn’t enough for you, there are several options for you to stay on the premise overnight at the sanctuary. When you stay at Wild Spirit, you will fall asleep to the sound of wolf howls. Accommodations range from tent camping and RV sites to a cabin or retreat center that you can rent.

Staying lets you take advantage of a bundle of accommodations and various wolf encounters.

To learn more about the sanctuary, be sure to visit their website, by clicking HERE

Tip: The best time of year to visit is winter because that’s when the wolves are most energetic. It’s important to make reservations in advance by calling (505) 775-3032 or emailing (reservations@wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org) the sanctuary.

Only standard tours don’t require advance reservations.

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is located at 378 Candy Kitchen Road, Ramah, NM.