Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary

Valerie Peterson

2023-09

I don’t have enough good things to say about our trip to the bear sanctuary! It was so much fun to be able to observe so many black bears being fed in a safe and responsible way! Once we found the correct address for the sanctuary (be very sure to have this address in your phone correctly as there is very little reception in this area!), we were able to follow the dirt road to the parking lot where the bus picked us up and brought us to the observation area. All of the staff was extremely informative and the gift shop was a lot of fun!Restrooms: Although the restrooms are only Porta potty’s, they are exceptionally clean. I would recommend bringing your own hand sanitizer, but that might just be a personal preference🙂

Tara Kostich

2022-05

We had a wonderful time here! I was there years ago when the bears were able to roam freely around vehicles, but they’ve since put up an overlook. The staff (unpaid interns) were very well educated and were very polite. They were all genuinely happy to be there. The bears were so fun to watch.

Shivika Singal

2021-05

Must visit!!! We saw some posters on our drive up towards the Canada border but had no clue about this place until someone at our cabin made a mention and said that we should absolutely check it out!! I am so glad that we did. I have been raving about it and telling my friends about this wonderful amazing spot and the work they are doing to keep the bears safe. It was a spectacle to see these wild creatures in their natural habitat. Must recommend for all ages. The volunteers are absolutely wonderful as well. Kudos to the team!!

James Bender

2021-05

Great experience for me and my two young nieces. We all loved it. Really cool to see such elusive wild animals lounging around eating in the open, and interacting with each other. Very informative, though I'm pretty well versed on black bears, they covered some of the basics and did a good job.

Jan Smith

2021-05

Wow! What a treat to walk along the observation boardwalk and watch so many bears wandering below, lying around the area, coming in and out of the trees into the opening, and of course, the cubs scampering up the trees. Very reasonable admission: $10 adults, $8 seniors. There are many information placards, plenty of staff to answer questions, and three different talks on various bear topics. From the parking lot a bus takes everyone to the observation walkways, where there is a gift shop and two port-o-toilets.

Char Fos

2023-05

I love this place! Seeing all the bears coming in to eat is amazing. They are free to come and go and intersect as normal as possible. So thankful for the volunteers and staff that make this possible.

LuAnn Kahle

2023-05

My husband and I have been coming to the sanctuary for many years and we always bring our guests to come and experience the understanding of the black bear and other wildlife. It is a must see when you are up north! ❤️

Jacob Moe

2021-05

If you're ever up north in Minnesota, I would highly suggest taking a trip over here. We went on a Tuesday and had about a 45 min wait to get to see the bears but they said Tuesday, Friday and Saturday are their busiest days. Once we got to the bears it was really cool to see them all wandering around and eating. There were a few that were huge, close to 500 or 600 lbs. There were also a few Cubs climbing in the trees that were cute to see. The staff there were highly knowledgeable and friendly and it was cool watching them wander through the bears dishing out the feed. Would definitely recommend if in the area.

Lou Pliml

2020-05

I was here years ago, back when Vince was alive and this was only his house. The bears would come and eat out of your hands, but its MUCH safer and controlled now.We brought the kids and had a fun time looking at the bears. It did end up raining, and there is little refuge aside from the gift shop which quickly became packed. Overall, while we thought it was cool, being that we live in the area, it wasn't as cool as we see them anyway, just not as close. If you live somewhere you will never see a bear, aside from a zoo, its a great vacation stop.

Jeremiah Orrison

2020-05

Amazing place to visit, get education on Black Bears, and take once in a lifetime photos. We got to see about 35 black bears and learn more about them from the guides there. The place is run by the American Bear Association and they truly care about the bear and helping the public learn what to do and what not to do with this amazing creature.

Sue Tiedke

2023-09

Very interesting experience. The staff gave great information. Watching the babies was awesome.

Misty Reed

2022-05

This place was absolutely amazing.. right when we got there there was at least 30 Bears out there including five or six Cubs.. we got to watch the mom defending her Cubs we got to watch The large-boar Bullying his way around for food, we got to wash Cubs scampering up the tree, we got to watch them eat, poop, and play fight!! We had so many great pictures and videos and for me this was just one huge check off my bucket list!! I highly recommend this place for anybody!!

N J

2022-05

My husband went here as a kid and I just had to visit once I heard about it. It is a must see for all ages. We went in the spring (beginning of June) so we mostly saw yearling cubs. If you go at the end of the season (August) the bears will be much bigger as they are getting ready to hibernate. Amazing opportunity to take pictures of bears in their natural habitat (No Tripods but I believe they will let you have a monopod). I think it was cash only to get in. About $10 a person unless you want to donate more. The volunteers are very knowledgeable and are happy to answer any questions you have about bears.

kristie yother

2019-05

The best experience I had ever with wildlife, worth the 20 dollars and bus ride out, very respectful to the bears it's a hidden gem with much heart and love added 2nd visit there and planning our third in the spring

Sharon Groth

2023-09

Great experience! Thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Easily purchased tickets online. So awesome to watch the bears come out and roam around and eat. Staff was great, answered questions and very informative. Thank you!

Tammy Koenig (The Magnolia Group)

2021-05

This is an outstanding place to visit with some of the biggest wild bear you will ever see! Even in captivity I have seen few this big and these are NOT fenced in!. I have hunted Bear for 15 years and these things are enormous!If you love bear and want to spend a quiet time observing them do NOT miss this place! Also, the staff was VERY knowledgeable about black bear and gave regular talks about them. This was my third time there and I will never get sick of it!

Mo Gaitan

2023-08

This place is magical! Absolutely worth the trip to see bears in natural habitat. The workers here have such care for the bears and the environment. I have been here multiple times and it's just as memorable as the first time. This is a must stop and great for all ages!

Dan Walser

2021-05

Such a cool place to see bears in there natural environment they just keep coming out of The woods! Just loved it.

Dinger Chat

2021-05

My wife wanted to see Bears, and she got to see some bears. The staff was very nice, and the Bears were fun to watch, thanks for the Hospitality. 🙂

MR. “Zazzenfuk” B

2019-05

I was really looking forward to this place. The opportunity to see wild black bears in abundance would have been really cool. However when we came though wildlife park staff informed us that the bears don't really become active until August or September. We waited for 2 and a 1/2 hours but we never saw any bears come closer than about 300'. If you squint you can see the black blob that is a bear.

Jim Shoe

2019-05

Best place in the country to see wild black bears. You are on an elevated deck and the bears are free to come and go as they please. Well worth the time!!

Kathy Cheney

2023-09

My daughter and I spent time here and had a wonderful time.. It's great to see the bear's living freely with help. Fantastic group who care for this place and the bear's, thank you so much. A must visit if you get the chance!!

John Lentz

2022-05

If you've only seen a bear in a sad, small enclosure at a zoo, this is a nice experience. Wild bears are fed at this "sanctuary" and can be viewed from a platform. The bears in the area get accustomed to the feeding times and seem to know that there's enough food for them all so there is rarely an incident between them. We saw a mother bear warn her two cubs of danger and watched them climb 50 feet up a pine tree where they started to torment each other like siblings do. It was toward the end of the season so fewer bears than average showed up, I would say about 30 of them.

Bill Turenne

2023-09

If you want to see black bears, especially baby bears, this is where to go. Well worth the entry fee, will be back next.

Shannon Rezac

2023-10

I unfortunately do not think the close interaction (within 10 ft) of the feeders and the bears are advised by experts. This seemed like a tourist attraction and not associated with any state park, government entity, or university. The beers have lost all natural instincts and have basically become zoo or circus animals. If this constant and copious feeding stopped, the bears would need to all be euthanized because they have no fear of people and would cause harm and would not be able to find food. The use of the term "magic circle" should have been a red flag to the informal pseudo science used to justify this attraction.This was the Tiger King documentary of black bears.

Brianna Johnson

2023-05

Friendly and knowledgeable employees! The breakfast with the bears was great. They served coffee, pastries, and some fresh fruit.

Monica Ganz

2021-05

A wonderful experience! I will be back. If you go, please bring a case or more of unsalted peanuts, apples and or watermelons. The bears love them and they are needed. Have fun watching these incredibly beautiful bears.

C Hoevel

2022-05

This was one of the coolest activities I’ve done. Fascinating to see the bears up close. Grateful to our friends who brought us here

Michael Engel

2023-08

Seeing black bears up close was amazing! The staff was happy to share their knowledge and anecdotes about the bears, as well as answering any questions. Would definitely recommend!

Shannon Jarvis

2023-09

What a wonderful experience to see bears up close in nature. I highly recommend buying the book, "They are not mean, Just hungry" book from the on site gift shop. It tells the history of Vince Shute and the sanctuary.