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Haines
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Kroschel Films Wildlife Center
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Kroschel Films Wildlife Center

See all things to do
See all things to do
Kroschel Films Wildlife Center
5
553 reviews
#1 of 22 things to do in Haines
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5.0
553 reviews
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Dawn V
Winter Park, CO5 contributions
Wildlife Refuge Experience of a Lifetime
Jun 2022
We took 12 family members to visit Steve Krochel’s Wildlife Refuge near Haines, Alaska
We were prompted to do this excursion in particular because our almost 12 year old grandson Griffin is crazy about animals. He had done an enormous amount of research about Krochel refuge in addition to the countless hours he has spent learning about all animals. He knew what we were going to see and helped us along the way.

THIS place did not disappoint! It is filled with beautiful creatures living in a natural setting and attended to by Steve Krochel, a unique and entertaining animal whisperer of sorts who understands the animals needs and behaviors. Steve is high energy with stories and tales all the while teaching you about his love of these animals. We got up close and personal with the animals and learned so much about their care and needs. My grandson Griffin said this was his favorite part of our 10 day Alaskan adventure!

If you have a love of animals, even some exotic ones make a trip to see this place. Griffin and all naturalists and curious kids of all ages will enjoy this adventure.

Dawn VF
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caitlin
18 contributions
An absolute must if you are in Haines or Skagway
Aug 2022 • Friends
Quite simply, the Kroschel Films Wildlife Center absolutely moved me. Steve Kroschel is an independent film maker who has worked with Nat Geo, BBC, PBS and many others, bringing nature to the big screen. His love and dedication to preserving and conserving our natural world is contagious. A little outside of the box, Steve’s energy and enthusiasm creates an experience that is impossible to ignore. All the feels. It makes my heart happy to know that people like Steve and his crew (we met humble Patrick and bubbly Ivanka) are out there in the world. I left a bit teary eyed, I was so moved. If you are ever in Haines, Alaska…this is a must!!! It is educational in the “rightest” of ways. I am actually struggling to find the words to accurately describe the emotions that this experience and this wonderful human being created for me. Thank you!!!
Written August 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Skywalkersav
Austin, Texas, USA94 contributions
An Amazing Wildlife Experience with Steve Kroschel
Jun 2022
Our group took this excursion as part of our Skagway cruise experience, and we were not disappointed. The drive from the Haines ferry takes you past some beautiful scenery to the Kroschel Wildlife Center. Steve Kroschel is the heart and soul of his Wildlife Center. His love and care for orphaned Alaskan animals showed during his engaging presentation. In addition, his sense of humor in getting tour members involved in the presentation along with his assistant made the time fun and informative.

He speaks his own language with the animals and he introduced us to many animals, including a wolf and wolf pups, minx, snowy owls, wolverines, moose, and Kitty the grizzly. His care and love for people shines through as well. Visiting his Wildlife Center is not to be missed if you are in the area!
Written July 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marilyn N
1 contribution
Poor communication and service
Jun 2022
Booked a private tour and required to prepay in Feb for June, 2022. When confirming at the beginning of June was told a private tour was no longer possible. Said the $400 I paid up front would be refunded (but not until we got there on 6/23) and our party could instead join a large group tour at 9:45 am that day for no charge. When we arrived in port that day we called to confirm our arrival and told that the 9:45 was not going but we could join the 1:45 tour. Frustrating because we had planned our entire day around an early tour. Arrived at 1:15 for the tour and were told the large group tour was too full. There were also about 12 other people who planned to join that tour who had not prepaid. All but 3 were sent away. Our party was handed off to one of the other staff people who appeared to be one of the animal caretakers. We saw 3 wolves, 1 lynx and 1 fox. After about 45 minutes we were told that was about all to see because the large group that was with Steve were seeing all the other animals and it would be too many people if we joined. A huge disappointment as we had looked forward to seeing and hearing about all the other animals. Very poor communication since we were never contacted about any of the changes and only found out when we called Steve. Don't bother trying to book an independent tour as it likely won't happen even when you pay upfront.
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
I normally do not respond to reviews but this one is colored from start to finish with fiction. The only reason a person would write such lies is to somehow make up for some kind of personal void that I cannot fill. This person was contacted weeks ago that I could not do a private tour and they still wanted to come to join a tour . Not being one to turn anyone away I agreed . The morning this lady decided to come was the morning of a ROCKSLIDE in Skagway which thwarted cruise ships from docking and last minute cancellations less than an hour before a tour . This lady could not be reached in time and showed up with a scowl on her face that caused everyone else that wanted to join a tour that had not prepaid to get in their car and drive off . Yes. I also gave her a full refund on the spot and allowed her to join anyway , for FREE. Be that as it may, to seek revenge by attempting to discredit my private facility on a Trip Advisor Review exhibits a kind of sad reflection of an empty life that no wild animal can fill. God Bless You Mrs. Neisch.
Written June 30, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cain A
1 contribution
Once in a lifetime experience
Jul 2022 • Family
You and your kids will never get to pet a Wolverine in your lifetime let alone actually see one in the wild.
Here you may.

We did a cruise around Alaska. Hands down the best part of the whole trip.

Steve and his crew are good human beings bringing native predators at a safe arms length away.

Thank you guys for what you do. Highly recommend.

Raw nature can’t be beat.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stacey J
2 contributions
Animal lovers MUST go!!!!
Jul 2022
This was an amazing experience! Steve walked us through the property, interacting with each animal, explaining how these animals came into his care and there were a lot of animals that we all got to interact with. It was truly amazing! I learned a lot about the animals that we saw and I was able to pet a wolverine. Steve and his staff were so engaging and you could tell that these animals were cared for and there is a bond between Steve and his animals. I highly recommend visiting! The don't make a rating high enough to let people know how fantastic the Kroschel Wildlife Refuge truly is. I definitely want to go back
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul J
1 contribution
A wildlife experience like nowhere else!
Aug 2022
I'm writing this review as I got onto Steve's site to book my third tour. I saw a couple negative reviews and couldn't believe it. Seeing a wolverine outside an enclosure, petting a fox, howling with a wolf, kissing a moose and seeing Kodiak brown bear make for an experience we don't think you could get in one place anywhere else. Our first time was a pleasant surprise, so much so we planned our 2nd trip for our wedding anniversary, even though the cruise we were on was stopping not in Haines but a town nearby: we still made visiting Steve's place a priority. When we decided to take another cruise and this time bring the whole family, my wife's only request was to pick an itinerary that would allow a 3rd visit. That's how much we like Steve's place. It's not a zoo. It's a private sanctuary. Steve and team's love for the animals is obvious and infectious. But expect the experience to be different. Go with the flow as Steve and crew entertain you. If you think it's overpriced, blame your cruise line.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hodomaniacs
Sechelt, Canada33 contributions
One of A Kind Experience with Northern Animals
Jul 2022
The visit that my wife and I had to the wildlife center was a unique, unforgettable experience. Steve has such an incredible passion for the work that he is doing. He interacted with the animals so comfortably and maximized our opportunity to have personal contact with them too. We go to hand feed two moose calves and caribou! Safety, however, was always the priority.

We stayed two days/nights in the peaceful forest setting. The accommodation in the Apollo building was rustic but spacious. Throughout the booking process and visit Steve was reliable, enthusiastic, flexible and generous...dedicated to making our visit as enjoyable as possible. It was a once in a lifetime chance to be close to northern wildlife species such as a wolverine, pine marten, mink and snowy owl. Steve has a wealth of animal knowledge and is eager to share it. We learned a lot!
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina B
2 contributions
If you're anywhere near Haines, don't miss it!!
Jul 2021
Just as others have said, this was the best tour of our entire Alaska vacation. It's obvious how much Steve cares for the animals and their bond to him as well. Steve is very entertaining and engaging - so much better than just walking a path and looking at animals and reading the sign for information! My autistic son was happily riveted the entire visit - so unusual! He tells everybody this was the best day of the whole trip! If you're anywhere near Haines, don't miss it!!
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristina A
La Mirada, CA1 contribution
An experience that no tour compares to. Don’t miss an opportunity too visit.
Jun 2022 • Family
I’m serious, when I say if you’re an Alaskan wildlife lover, do everything you can to make you way to the Kroschel Wildlife Center. This wildlife center was fun, with an incredible variety of animals. I am sure for most, It is unmatched by any tour, zoo, or animal center experience you have ever been to.
My daughter Ruby and I first heard of Steve Kroschel and his wildlife foster center on YouTube. His love and unique taming to his foster animals has ignited her spark and fascination with wildlife. I’m in complete awe of the experience we had.
It was Incredible, I would say once in a lifetime-
But you’ll want to go more than once.
Thank you Steve. We are forever blessed.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Kroschel Films Wildlife Center (Haines) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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