northwest trek seattle

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Northwest trek.

Visit a fantastic wildlife park near Washington's Mt Rainier.

Northwest Trek is 1-hour south of Seattle in Eatonville, in a breathtaking setting with wetlands, forests and lakes. 

Take an exciting 40-minute tram tour through the park to see bison, moose and elk roaming freely.   It's the closest you'll get to experiencing animals in the wild!

There's also self-guided trails to observe animals like bears and wolves in more natural settings. 

Kids will love the fabulous nature play area at Northwest Trek with rope bridges and slides, and a giant trunk to climb inside.  There's also a theater, gift shop and restaurant.  

Northwest Trek is at 11610 Trek Drive East, Eatonville .  Check tickets & hours .

10 best things to do at Northwest Trek

1. Walk along beautiful trails with ponds and bridges, to see the animals at Northwest Trek.

There's a great selection of animals along the walking trails at Northwest Trek, including brown and black bears, gray wolves, foxes, bobcats, cougars and coyotes. 

The paths meander along thickly forested areas, creeks, pools and overlooks, providing plenty of vantage points to observe the animals in a more natural setting than a typical zoo.  The peaceful surroundings are as much a delight as the wildlife.

Check out the education areas for kids like the  Cheney Family Discovery Center  and Baker Research Cabin , or stop by an  Animal Presentation Areas  scattered throughout the park. 

2. See an agile cougar jump 20-feet vertically from a stationary position!

3. Observe a pack of grey wolves at Northwest Trek.

Grey wolves usually prey on much larger animals like deer and elk.

4. Get an up-close look at coyotes, who get very vocal at night, often howling at the moon.

5. Peer down into the grizzly bear enclosure and look at their fierce claws.  These solitary creatures usually hibernate for the winter.

6. Spot an illusive barn owl.  They have amazing vision, essential for hunting.

7. Check out the majestic bald eagle, with an incredible 6 to 7 foot wing span.

8. Take the fun 40 minute Tram Tour around Northwest Trek.

The highlight of a visit to Northwest Trek is a 40 minute Tram Tour in the open wildlife section of the park, starting at Horseshoe Lake.   Mount Rainier's spectacular peak can be glimpsed across this sub-alpine lake. 

The guided tour travels along the edge of the lake, through forested areas, open plains and pristine wetlands.   The tram stops at regular intervals to observe bison, moose, elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats roaming through this natural environment.  The tram gets remarkably close to the animals, enabling visitors a rare glimpse of these magnificent creatures.

Time to board the tram at Northwest Trek!

Look at those spectacular views over Horseshoe Lake, all the way to Mt Rainier.

9. See a herd of moose, the largest of the deer species.

10. Check out the cute fawn, not afraid to approach the bus.

11. The curved horns on the bighorn sheep are a sight to behold, used to engage in fierce combat.

12. Northwest Trek has herds of elk, often segregated by gender.  They are also part of the deer family.

Male elk have antlers, that usually shed during winter.   The antlers can grow to 4 feet high.

This male elk doesn't look too pleased to see the tram.

13. Bison are the biggest mammals in North America, and the males can weigh up to 2,000 pounds!

14. Visit the Forest Theater, restaurant & gift shop.

Enjoy lunch in the restaurant (with a roaring fire during wintertime), or stop by the gift shop for a memento.   The Forest Theater is in the same building as the restaurant.  NW Trek also has plenty of picnic tables and BBQ facilities.

15. Hang out at a play area for kids at Northwest Trek.

The Kids Trek nature play area has a rope bridge attached to a hollow trunk that kids can climb inside.  There's also a jumping mat, slides and shallow stream to play in!

Other things to do near Northwest Trek

The Mt Rainier Railroad is 18-miles south in the township of Elbe.  If you'd like to visit Mt Rainier National Park, drive 50-miles east to the spectacular village of Paradise with soaring views of Mt Rainier.  There's also trails, a restaurant, visitor center and historic lodge.   If you need a place to stay overnight before driving up to Paradise, try one of the lovely cabins at Ashford near the entrance to the park. 

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Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Hours updated 2 months ago

Review Highlights

“ When we arrived the Tram was booked up for the day within the first half hour, I guess it was a busy day. ” in 115 reviews

“ My family went to NW Trek for the first time this last weekend and we all loved it and can't wait to go back! ” in 20 reviews

“ Trails through the woods were well marked so that you could see wolves, bears, lynx , bobcat, cougar, and others. ” in 12 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

11610 Trek Dr E

Eatonville, WA 98328

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About the Business

Established in 1975. Dr. David "Doc" and Connie Hellyer donated the original land that became Northwest Trek Wildlife Park to Metro Parks Tacoma in 1971. After four years of diligent fundraising and planning, Northwest Trek officially opened its doors on July 17, 1975. Over the next 15 years, the park expanded its exhibits, debuting the snowy owl, cougar, bobcat, lynx, wolf and bear exhibits. On January 20, 2006, Dr. Hellyer passed away and in July of 2012, his devoted wife, Connie, passed away. Their passion and commitment to Northwest wildlife and habitats lives on at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The park continues to play a significant role in the lives of community residents and generations to come. …

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Ask a question

Is it safe to bring your toddlers?

Yea, I see families with toddlers all the time. The tram tour is 40 minutes minimum - I have been on it when it has gone an hour before - so you may want to pack snacks!

How much time do You need at this park?

It takes me roughly 3 hours to get through Northwest Trek provided I don't go on any of the trails. The tram ride is about an hour by itself. Some times, if it's cool enough outside, it will take me four if the animals are particularly active. I… more

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Overall rating

253 reviews

Amazing Wildlife Park, probably one of the most beautiful habitat based zoos I've ever seen. I feel like the animals are very content to live in a spacious peaceful environment (if they have to live in captivity at all). Each enclosure was spacious and lush and beautiful. When we arrived the Tram was booked up for the day within the first half hour, I guess it was a busy day. We did opt to upgrade to the drive through tour and the guide was delightful with his narrative.

Their tram has been down for over a year now. Still charging full price even though you only have access to half the park. Bought a family membership a year ago because we were told by staff the tram would be back up by summer. It's been a year, still no tram. They will not extend our membership or compensate in any way. I personally do not think the price is worth what you get as a guest.

Wow what an amazing place! We booked the jeep keeper tour. This takes you explore the wildlife who are grazing along the acres of land. I saw mountain goats, bison, elk, and deer. Lots of animals and they were mostly in packs. We even went off road for a bit. Sonny was a great tour guide and very knowledgeable! We also went to the top of the park to see incredible views. There are also "bonus" animals such as birds and ducks. There is lots of landscapes to view like bogs, forests, ponds, and grasslands. It could almost be a botanical garden but the focus is the animals. For the predators, they are inside and you walk around which is arranged more like a zoo. The predators have a very natural habitat. We saw wolves, black and brown bears, lynx, owls, and eagles. Lots of animals!! Then at the end of the day, warm up with some hot chocolate, hot cider, or coffee at the restaurant! The restaurant even has a fireplace!

See all photos from Teri K. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

What a disappointment. We came from out of town to ride the tram included with walking tour. Tram not working. Should receive 1/2 price refund. Though the walking tour setting was beautiful, a number of the animal enclosures were empty with signs: "Not home". We went just after 9:30 opening expecting to see a number of animals, but it was feeding time. (Put that on your website!) So many animals sleeping far from viewpoints. We got VERY little animal-viewing for the price! Not impressed with business ethics.

Beautiful wildlife park! Lots to see, we were there when the wolves started howling so that was the highlight of our trip! Very fun nature inspired kids play space make sure to hit on your way out. It was our first time here and I did have to ask for directions and everyone I encountered was super friendly and helpful. Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water.

One of the bald eagles

My son had wanted to go here ever since he say a Blippi episode. We finally had to chance to go. You can have an experience of driving through and walking through the park, special 4 wheel drive with walk through park, or just walking through. There are lots of picnic tables for lunch time or snack time. There is a huge play area for the kids. They also have a Cafe and food stands open during parts of the year. Don't forget a gift shop. The food was so so but we were supporting them. My son says thumbs up.

Don't think I'd spend $23 again for the walking tour but still glad we got to see some cool animals. The cats were hiding the entire time so we didn't see any during our 2 laps around the park in the morning but got some up close viewing of the bears doing funny things which was cool.

DO IT! Visited Aug 2022 Located 1hr south of Seattle is this wildlife park that you can buy tickets to walk into or drive through (which also allows you walk-in the entrance as well). You get the biggest bang for your buck if you drive through then walk in the park but we didn't have enough time to do both. We drove through in our car, which they started during the pandemic and worked out for us. I'm not sure when they'll switch from private vehicle to their brand new electric trams but it's going to happen soon. The "Wild Drive" was $90 for a vehicle up to 8 people. The walk in entrance would have been about the same cost for the 4 of us and we got to see a bunch of caribou, bison, and deer without leaving our air conditioned car. We could've seen more wildlife if we went in but we were exhausted. I wish we had spent a whole day here, I'm sure there's a ton of stuff we missed.

See all photos from Lori I. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

We did just the walk around the park and it was excellent. Next time we will do the drive thru. All the little critters were out so it made a magical time.

See all photos from Cari J. for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

It was a great time, enjoyed it very much. The animals were so beautiful! Loved the new trams!

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Northwest Trek's Wild Drive: A New Way to Visit Amazing Animals

Drive your own car through trek's free-roaming area.

By Nancy Chaney

Published on: may 19, 2020.

It's not every day you get to drive right by a herd of bison grazing in the green grass. This unique experience will soon be available to Seattle-area families when  Northwest Trek Wildlife Park  reopens May 27 to begin offering its new  Wild Drive  driving tours experience.

As local families seek safe outings and activities to break up the monotony of quarantine, this is welcome news.

Located in Eatonville, Washington, about 60 miles south of Seattle,  Northwest Trek is an animal park known for its free-roaming spaces where Northwest native animals live in their natural habitat. Resident critters include bison, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep and deer. Bears, wolves, foxes, beavers, cougars, bobcats, eagles and many more species also call the park home. Northwest Trek, run by Metro Parks Tacoma , has been closed to the public since March 14.

Wild Drive tours will allow motorists to drive the roadways of Trek's free-roaming area. These winding roadways were previously only accessible through the park's signature narrated tram tour. 

“Wild Drive is unlike anything we’ve ever offered at Northwest Trek,” noted Tim Reid, president of the Metro Parks Tacoma board of commissioners, in a statement.

What to know

• The first important thing for families to know about Wild Drive is that you need to  book in advance for a specific date and time . Do not just show up at Northwest Trek and expect to be able to drive the tour route.
• Tour dates are open to the general public beginning Wednesday, May 27, and hourly tour departure times run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Tours last about one hour, and families should arrive 15 minutes in advance of their scheduled tour time.
• Tours cost $80 per vehicle and each vehicle requires one ticket. Trek members receive a $10 discount.
• Vehicles must hold members of only one immediate household, with a maximum of eight people. (You cannot bring your 15-passenger van or fill your pickup bed with people; read more about vehicle restrictions in the Wild Drive FAQ .)
• A park naturalist will lead a caravan of visitors in their private cars while narrating a tour over an app so families can learn all about the native species they're viewing (this sounds like it could tick the box on a homeschool science lesson, eh?).
• Drivers should plan to drive very slowly, less than 10 miles per hour, and will slow to a stop at intervals where the best views of the animals are found.
• Visitors cannot get out of their cars, touch or feed the animals, or smoke. Check out the complete list of safety and social-distancing rules on the Wild Drive FAQ .
• Find out more about the animals you can expect to see on the Wild Drive field guide page .
• Outside of the free-roaming area, the rest of Northwest Trek — including other animal exhibits, the Kids' Trek playground and zip tours — remains closed.

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About the author.

Nancy Chaney is a Seattle-based writer and editor, and former out + about editor for ParentMap.

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Our Visit To Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Near Mount Rainier

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

During a recent trip to Seattle for a family reunion, we had the opportunity to do some sightseeing around the Puyallup area. We rented a great Airbnb near Graham , Washington, close to my Aunt and Uncle’s house for a few days. Our extended family with kids of all ages wanted a fun half-day outdoor excursion to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the northwest and create lasting memories. On the recommendation of my Aunt, we decided to visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainer.

It was a wonderful experience, and we wanted to share it with the world! And here is a fun fact! Did you know that I was born and raised in Washington State?

In fact, both of my parents are from there, and most of our extended family is still in the greater Tacoma / Puyallup area. We try to travel there once every few years!

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 723-ace natural wildlife area near Mount Rainier’s base. It’s best described as a mix of a park, a wildlife preserve, and a zoo. Particularly, it offers a spectacular array of fun and engaging activities for families with kids of every age.

Just a few of the exciting things you can do at the park are watch many different native northwest animals such as grizzly bears, otters, and eagles, drive through a giant free-range preserve filled with animals, find and study the indigenous giant banana slug, and enjoy a forest-themed kids playground filled with nets, rope ladders, bridges, and slides. 

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Tickets

Preferably, you should purchase your tickets in advance. The price per ticket is $3 less if you purchase online rather than at the entry gate.  

You can purchase tickets here: https://www.nwtrek.org/visit/prices/

Online prices per ticket:

• Ages 65+: $20
• Ages 13-64: $22
• Ages 5-12: $14
• Ages 3-4: $10
• Ages 0-2: FREE

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Hours Of Operation

The hours and days of operation vary depending on the time of year. I highly recommend you check out the Northwest Trek hours of operation before planning your visit.  

How To Get There

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Address: 11610 Trek Drive East, Eatonville, WA 98328

Dining, Parking, Rentals, And Other Amenities

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has a restaurant and snack shop called the Forest Cafe near the main entrance. It offers a good selection of foods for kids and adults. They have burgers, chicken tenders, fries, drinks, snacks, and kids’ meals. Trek Treats is a snack kiosk open seasonally and located along the walking paths. Furthermore, the park has a sheltered picnic pavilion, meadow tables, and free water refilling stations. 

The Gift Shop is lovely and has a wide selection of artisan-made pacific northwest gifts and souvenirs.  

The park is ADA-accessible. You can rent single strollers for $10 and double strollers for $12. Wheelchairs can be rented for $12. Additionally, they even rent umbrellas for $6 for those rainy Washington days!

How Long Does It Take To See Everything at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park?

If you plan to walk around the park, see the animals, explore the Cheney Discovery Center, and play at the playground, you should plan on spending about 2.5 hours. Also, you should budget extra time if you are scheduled to take the vehicle tours. Be sure to check the hours of operation before you visit, as they vary considerably depending on the time of year.  

Walking Paths At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has a network of excellent walking paths snaking throughout the park. Walking these paths is a fantastic way to get a feel for the natural majesty and beauty of the pacific northwest. The emerald green landscape is lush and filled with massive trees, delicate ferns, shady glens, crystal clear creeks, and bucolic ponds.

Map Of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

You can download a map of the park, and its trails, here . It’s a great resource when navigating the park and planning your visit. In addition, I will also insert a copy here now.

Seeing The Animals At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

The walking paths will lead you through a wonderfully designed set of natural enclosures that will get you breathtakingly close to all kinds of animals, large and small. 

Part of the path will lead through upper and lower deck viewing areas where you can see grizzly bears (brown bears) and black bears. Nearby are separate enclosures with red foxes, wolverines, and grey wolves.

Further along, is the “cat loop.” This trail takes you to several large areas inhabited by cougars, lynx, and bobcats. Another part of the walking trail takes you through beautiful enclosures designed to be both above and below water.

You can watch playful river otters, raccoons, skunks, porcupines, and beavers here. A trail branch is designated for birds called “Eagle Passage.” Also, they have several gorgeous bald and golden eagles, owls, and vultures here. These massive birds are regal and beautiful. Sadly, they cannot fly due to pre-existing injuries and are living their best lives at the park. 

Animal Encounters at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

When we went, the animals were active and easily visible. It was a warm summer day in late July, almost hot by Pacific Northwest standards. The river otters were fascinating to watch, with their limitless energy and desire to play.

Likewise, the aquatic displays are especially great for kids because they can get a close-up view of the river creatures. A massive grey wolf rested probably three feet from us, just beyond the glass viewing area. The wolverines darted to and fro. The weather was dry, and it hadn’t rained in a few days, so, unfortunately, the beloved and iconic banana slugs were in hiding, much to Matt’s dismay.

The cats were also lying back in the shade for the most part. Obviously, if we had gone earlier in the day when there was less heat, more of them would have been out and about. Nonetheless, we were able to catch a glimpse of most of them.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park may be the only smallish park I have ever visited that is home to grizzly bears and wolves. It was a fantastic treat to see the vast array of animals, some of which you may only see in major metropolitan zoos and other world-class facilities.

Kids Trek Playground

The Kids Trek Playground is at the front of the park, near the main entrance and dining area. Kids Trek is a fun and well-designed playground. Specifically, it’s perfect for kids ages 3-8.

The playground is themed like a forest landscape. Its centerpiece is an impressive fake 20-foot tall hollow tree stump you can climb inside to access the upper level of the playground. In addition, there are rope nets and ladders connecting different areas, tunnels where small ones can crawl and explore, and several fun slides.

A charming little stream flows through the playground, allowing kids to get a little wet as they play safely. The area is a lot of fun, even for adventurous adults, and is a great place to blow off steam and wear the kids out. Also, its proximity to the dining area and restrooms makes it a perfect spot to spend time and enjoy the outdoors.

Above all, this was the biggest hit with my 3-year-old nephew!

Cheney Discovery Center

Located nearer the back of the park, the Cheney Discovery Center is an interpretive nature center packed with many fun things for younger kids to do and see. The building houses various reptiles, gophers, snakes, amphibians, banana slugs, and other creatures viewable in tanks. It’s got tons of puzzles and books to occupy small kids and educate them about the local flora and fauna. There is an extensive collection of animal-themed puppets and a stage where you host your own puppet show!

The Cheney Discovery Center is home to a large and diverse array of stuffed animals (the taxidermied kind) where kids can touch and learn about many small and large animals up close. Equally important, the King of the Invertebrates, the banana slug, is prominently represented. You can see them in tanks, watch videos about them, and read everything you ever wanted to know about these fascinating gastropods.

Furthermore, an on-site naturalist is available at the Center to guide you through the exhibits or answer any questions you or your children may have. 

E.H. Baker Cabin 

Abutting the wolf enclosure is a building called the E.H. Baker Cabin. In this forest cabin, kids can crawl through a tunnel, explore a variety of educational tools about wolves, and become regular members of a wolf pack! There’s a natural wolf pelt to feel and an exhibit explaining how we can all do science daily.

This is an excellent place for kids to play, imagine, and channel their inner naturalist.

Self-Guided And Guided Driving Tours at Northwest Trek

Although we didn’t do this, I wanted to mention the driving tours. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainier offers two types of driving tours through its 435-acre free-roam area. Both include park admission, so factor that into your decision.

In one, you drive your own vehicle, and the other, albeit much more costly, allows you to ride in theirs. The free-roam area is a game preserve inhabited by numerous animals that can move freely and graze across a large area of grass and woodlands. You can see Roosevelt elk, moose, bison, and mountain goats living in their natural habitat.

The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Wild Drive

The Wild Drive is self-led and allows you to drive your car on designated roads throughout the free-roam area. The price is $90/group for non-members . The maximum group size is eight and includes the people in your vehicle. The tour is about an hour long. Reservations are required.

Park admission is included with this option, so it may actually be a way to save money if you have a large group.

Keeper Adventure Tour

The Keeper Adventure Tour is a guided jeep tour through the free-roam area. A park naturalist takes your group in a jeep on a guided tour. These tours are much more personalized and allow you to get closer to the animals wherever they might be grazing. The price is $90/per person for non-members .

The maximum group size is nine. The tour is about an hour and a half long. Reservations are required. All guests must be 5 or older to participate.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Tram Rides

A tram ride through the animal free roam area was once very popular in the park. As of this writing, the tram rides have been temporarily suspended. The park is replacing the legacy trams with new modern electric trams. The trams will, hopefully, again be available soon, with an anticipated launch date of September 2023.

The Zip Wild zip line course is also closed until further notice.

Honestly, we didn’t miss either of them and had a great time exploring the park on foot.

Plan Your Visit to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Without a doubt, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park near Mount Rainier is a great place to take your family. It offers so many different options for fun. It is a perfect way to explore the beautiful natural world of the Pacific Northwest. Walking through the park and watching the amazing animals will leave you with a sense of awe and reverence for nature.

Lastly, seeing the animals in the wild and learning about their life and habitat is a magical learning opportunity for your family. Playing at Kids Trek and exploring the Cheney Nature Center add to this beautiful park’s fun and excitement too. I highly recommend making Northwest Trek Wildlife Park a part of your trip to Mount Rainier, Seattle, Tacoma, or Washington State.

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2 Comments on “Our Visit To Northwest Trek Wildlife Park Near Mount Rainier”

What a great review! Thank you! Trams start back up in late September 2023.

Hope you come back and visit again!

I am glad that you enjoyed it David! I will update my post to show that date!

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Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Sarah

Honest Northwest Trek Review: Is It Worth Visiting with a Toddler?

Posted on Last updated: June 25, 2024

Home » Pacific Northwest » Honest Northwest Trek Review: Is It Worth Visiting with a Toddler?

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If you’re thinking of doing a Northwest Trek with your family especially with a toddler, this honest review is a must-read before you’re heading there. There are important tips here for your upcoming trip!

This honest northwest trek review was written by family travel expert  marcie cheung . it contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Planning a family trip can be challenging, especially when finding activities catering to adults and kids. If you’re looking for an exciting and educational adventure in the Pacific Northwest, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a fantastic destination.

Located in Eatonville, Washington, this park offers a unique opportunity to see various native Northwest animals in their natural habitats. From engaging kids’ activities to awe-inspiring wildlife tours, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park promises a memorable experience for the whole family.

First Impressions

The first time I went to Northwest Trek , I was visiting my cousins who lived down the street from there, and I remember seeing big animals in the wild, and it felt like I was somewhere in the Midwest.

Upon hearing glowing reviews of the new Kids’ Trek at Northwest Trek, my family decided to make the trek to Eatonville (South of Puyallup) to discover it ourselves. Kids’ Trek lived up to the hype!

The sand pit is one of the coolest features because they have a fountain in the middle so kids can wet the sand for their creations. A staff member told us they clean it out daily so it doesn’t clog. Slides are carved into the stones, bridges, and play space. Owen was focused solely on the sand pit, but we saw many preschoolers and older kids take advantage of all the features.

The new Kids Trek provided hours of fun for our family.

Discovery Tram Tour

The Discovery Tram Tour was much slower and longer than I remembered as a kid. Owen loves trains, and I told him the tram was like a train. I told him we were going to ride in M’tambo from Chuggington.

He enjoyed the first 15 minutes or so of the tram ride but became bored after that. Granted, there were three of us crammed into two seats, and it was a full tram. But seeing the animals so close and in a more natural environment was cool. The tour guide was funny and very informative.

Walking Tour and Wildlife Encounters

After the Northwest Trek tram ride, we decided to walk around a bit on the walking tour to see even more animals. We saw black bears, grizzly bears, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, and red foxes before we turned back.

We had opted not to bring a carrier or stroller, which limited how long we were willing to walk at a toddler’s pace. Next time, we will bring our BOB stroller to move quickly and enjoy the awesome scenery!

We enjoyed these souvenirs from Northwest Trek.

Souvenirs and Snacks

We enjoyed these souvenirs from Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

Northwest Trek has a Forest Cafe on the premises. The food is actually not that bad, and there is a decent selection of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and kids’ meals.

Next time, we might bring sack lunches and drinks and eat at the picnic tables just for more variety. They also have snack stands with lots of yummy treats!

Practical Information

Adult admission is $21.95, toddlers ages 3-4 are $10.95, and kids two and under are free. Admission includes the tram ride. Pets are not allowed, so please don’t feed the animals.

Parking is free, but the lots fill up quickly in the summer months and on weekends. For more information, visit www.nwtrek.org .

Northwest Trek Wrap-Up

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers a wonderful combination of adventure and education, making it an ideal destination for families. Whether you’re exploring the Kids’ Trek, enjoying the Discovery Tram Tour, or walking through the park to see various wildlife park animals, there’s something for everyone.

The park’s dedication to showcasing native Northwest animals ensures a unique and authentic experience. Plan your visit today and create unforgettable memories with your family at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

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• Activities for Kids
• Just Opened

Your Guide to Northwest Trek’s New Exhibit & Can’t-Miss Attractions

Believe it or not, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park will be turning 45 next year, but don’t wait until then to celebrate. If its been a while since your last visit, you will be surprised by how much the park has changed. And with the addition of the brand-new Eagle Passage exhibit, now is the perfect time to plan a visit. Scroll down to learn more!

photo: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Where the Wild Things Are

Located in Eatonville, just 60 miles south of Seattle, lies Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The 725-acre park is full of wonders. Over 200 native Northwest species live here with many of them roaming freely around the property. The park has a serious focus on conservation, protecting endangered animals and restoring wild places in and around Pierce County. Many of their efforts are reflected in the types and numbers of animals roaming around the property. Psst! Many other zoos around the country have followed Northwest Trek’s lead in providing a more suitable way to see animals up close and personal without subjecting them to live behind bars.

photo: Katie Cotterill

Eagle Passage Just Opened!

You might’ve heard the news, but now it’s official. The bald eagles have landed in an all-new Eagle Passage exhibit , giving visitors the opportunity to experience them in a whole new way. A walk-through, open-air tunnel will not only allow you to immerse yourself in the forested understory of vine maple, red alder, sword ferns and other native Northwest plants, but will allow you to gaze up into the piercing yellow eyes of the eagles through a protective mesh. You’ll see the big birds above and on either side perched on branches. And guess what? There are just as excited to meet you as you are to meet them. In the exhibit, your kids will also have the chance to crawl into a human-sized “nest” and spread their arms against an eagle’s wingspan. The entire exhibit is pretty incredible and it doesn’t cost a dime more to experience.

photo: Jeffrey Totey

The Tram Tour

Northwest Trek’s best feature is its 40-minute Discovery Tram Tour taking families through forests, meadows and wetlands with plenty of stops along the way to witness the free-range residents who call the park their home. Tram tours are included with your general admission and every tour is different dependent on the animals’ plans for the day. However, chances are good that you’ll see bison, Roosevelt elk, big horn sheep, moose, caribou, mountain goats and trumpeter swans. The best part? Even when it’s raining, there’s a lot to see. In fact, some of the best times to catch these big guys and gals at close range are when its overcast with a little drizzle.

Good to Know : The tour guides are knowledgeable, funny and understand how badly you’ll want to snap that post-worthy pic of the adorable black-tailed deer, so they’ll linger a bit longer if you need them to. Riding the tram takes a little planning for the tot lot. Remember to visit the bathroom ahead of time (although if you have an emergency, you can ring the bell), and eat a snack before hitting the road. Food and drinks are only allowed for kiddos younger than 3 on the tour. Most kids will be so engaged with their surroundings that they won’t have time to get bored.

Walk on the Wild Side

During your tour, you’ll want to hop off the tram and make your way around the peaceful walking trails in the park. These lightly wooded trails feel oddly wild, as the muffled silence of the forest settles in around you. And the tree canopy provides just enough protection that the elements (rain or shine) don’t have to dictate your day. Along the trail, little rangers and their grown-ups can view some ferocious creatures living in natural habitats from a safe distance. Get your I-spy lens out to spot cougars, lynx, bobcats, wolverines and bears as you meander through the trees.

Good to Know : One of our favorite spots to hit is the Baker Research Cabin, a small building that backs to the wolf habitat. Inside, there’s a sweet little “den” where your kids can hole up to watch out for wolves. It’s soundproof and right at eye level, so when the wolves come lumbering by it equals total squeal-worthy excitement for everyone!

Another great place you’ll want to hang out for a while is the forest and wetland creatures section where you’ll find beavers, skunks, otters and more with viewing areas above and below ground. Each home features a den area just beyond the glass. Psst! The otters alone will keep your family entertained for a long time.

Trailside Encounters are scheduled throughout the day along the trail, too. The talks are a grab-a-stump and listen-up deal where the keepers bring out surprise animals from the walk-around habitats for some face time with visitors. While the animals do their thing, curious cuties can ask questions and snap pics with beavers, turtles, owls and other furry or feathered friends. Check the board when you enter the park for the day’s Encounters times and locations.

You’ll also want to stop at the Cheney Discovery Center, an indoor, education spot with lots of hands-on activities to try. Kids can work puppets, touch animal pelts and chat with naturalists. The space is also home to various red-legged frogs, gopher snakes, Western toads, banana slugs, newts and rubber boas.  

Getting Wild

If your family is in need of even more adventure, plan to experience the Zip Wild Deep Forest Challenge . From May through September, you and your little daredevils can try out five different zip line and challenge rope courses that range from mild to wild. Choose between:

1. Super Kid Course: a low-to-the-ground adventure with two sections of zip lines and nine challenges.

2. Discover Course: a course with a 14-foot tall climbing wall, ten obstacles and two zip lines.

3. Sensation Course: a course with a dozen challenges 80 feet in the air and five zip lines.

4. Adventure Course: a course with a 30-foot climbing wall, suspended bridges, cargo nets, a high-wire tightrope 55 feet in the air and six zip lines.

5. Aerial Runway: a course with a Trapper Climbing Ladder, two Andes bridges and a 512-foot-long zip line.

photo: Kristina Moy

Other Can’t-Miss Attractions

Near Zip Wild, you’ll find a paved walking trail which is the neighborhood of 21 different “fairy homes” that you kids will probably be able to spot quicker than you. They were put there to help kids really notice their surroundings. See if you can spot them all!

In addition to tram tours (which are included with your admission), Northwest Trek offers a few different Premiere Tours which take you through the park’s free-roaming area. For families, we especially love the Keeper Adventure Tours aboard a specially equipped four-wheel-drive jeep. This intimate experience, which takes you on the paved roads rarely traveled, on gravel tracks and occasionally even off-road, is where you and your Dr. Doolittles (ages 5 & up) can get some of the best views of the resident wildlife during a 90-minute journey. Trust us, it doesn’t get any closer than this! Tickets for the Keeper Adventure Tours (10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.) can be purchased at the front gate on the day of you visit (first-come, first-served). Keeper Adventure Tours also include admission into Northwest Trek along with the standard tram tour.

A Refreshing Pause

Perhaps Northwest Trek’s most clever section is the Kids’ Trek play area which lets children burn off energy and create adventures of their own with giant spider webs to climb, tree trunks to climb up, creeks to splash in, forts to build and more. Psst! While it’s expected that parents watch their children in this area, a few of the park’s employees also monitor the area to make sure everyone is playing nice and staying safe.

Good to Know : Kid’s Trek is conveniently located right across from the Forest Café which serves up delicious (no, really delicious!) hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, salads, ice cream and more freshly made with local ingredients and prices that won’t break the bank. If the weather is not cooperating, dine inside and enjoy the nice big fireplace.

Party Animals

As if all this wasn’t enough, Northwest Trek also plans a variety of special activities throughout the year. Past events have included Kids ‘n’ Critters Discount Days, Super Girl Scout Day, Bear Tracks, Slug Fest, Zookeeper Academy, Feeding Frenzy, Senior Month, Hoot ‘n’ Howl, Pumpkin Chomp ‘n’ Stomp, Veteran’s Appreciation Days and Winter Wildland. Click here to see what’s coming up next.

$22/Adults (13-64) $20/Seniors (65+) $14/Kids (5-12); $10/Kids (3-4) Free for 2 & under

Pierce County residents and military families receive $2 off per ticket at the gate and everyone can save $3 per ticket when you order your tickets online. Parking is free.

Zip Wild Tours run an extra $35-$85 depending on the course you choose. Premier Tours run $65-$90 depending on the tour you choose and include general admission and tram tours.

Optional Costs : Strollers: $10/single; 12/double Wheelchairs: $12 Electric wheelchairs: $35 Umbrellas: $6 Small Lockers: $1

Jan.—mid-March: Fri.-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon-Thurs. Mid-March—end of June: Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. July—Aug.: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sep.: Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct.—Dec.: Fri.-Sun., 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Mon-Thurs.

Note: Operating times may vary. Visit Northwest Trek’s website before you head out.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park 11610 Trek Dr. E. Eatonville, WA 98328 360-832-6117 Online:  nwtrek.org

—Jeffrey Totey, Allison Sutcliffe & Kristina Moy

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Northwest Trek | A Unique Wildlife Park Experience Near Seattle

by Tim Lewis | 0 comments

Washington is loaded with amazing wildlife. We have elk, moose, bears, wildcats, and so much more. You can run across these animals on a hiking trail, in your backyard, or just simply find them all at Northwest Trek near Eatonville.

Northwest Trek (11610 Trek Dr. E.) is 55 miles south of downtown Seattle, so it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to drive there (depending on traffic). Northwest Trek is a wildlife park — not just a typical zoo — and you’ll see why when you get there. The 723-acre park includes forest, wetlands, and large meadows.

The highlight of Northwest Trek is the 55-minute guided tram tour. The tram takes you through a 435-acre enclosed free-range area of the park. Since it’s free-range, you never know what you’re going to see. My mom and I went recently and saw mountain goats, elk, moose, bison, and bighorn sheep. Several of the animals were in the distance, but a few of them were just a feet away from our tram. You can take the tram tour as many times as you like when you visit Northwest Trek and it’s included in your price of admission.

On top of the tram tour at Northwest Trek, you can also take a walking tour of the park. This part is more like a regular zoo. There are several animals in enclosures, including black bears, a grizzly bear, and wolves; a cougar, lynx, and bobcats; river otters, raccoons, a beaver, badger, wolverine, skunk, and fishers; and bald eagles, golden eagles, a turkey vulture, and owls ( and even more! ). While you’re on the walking tour, keep your eyes peeled for Northwest-native plants as well.

If that’s not enough for you, Northwest Trek features five miles of nature trails. The park also provides animal trailside encounters, where zookeepers give you an up-close look at some of Northwest Trek’s incredible creatures. There’s also a family discovery center and research cabin, where visitors can learn much more about wildlife in the Northwest.

If you’re not a Pierce County resident (they get cheaper rates), Northwest Trek costs about $22 for an adult (13-64), $20 for seniors (65+), $14 for youth (5-12), $10 for tots (3 & 4), and children 2-and-under are free. Hours of operation vary throughout the year, so click here for more information. Keep in mind, the listed closing time is when the last tram tour leaves for the day. So Northwest Trek is actually open another 90 minutes after the listed closing time.

You can go for a drive or hop on a hiking trail in the Northwest with hopes of encountering wildlife, but you never know what you’re going to see (if you’re lucky enough to see anything at all). At Northwest Trek, you can see all of the animals that make our area special all in one place. Sure, they’re not technically wild, but Northwest Trek gives you an authentic feel of strolling or driving through the Northwest. It’s unlike any other zoo/wildlife park you’ll visit in the area.

Have you ever visited Northwest Trek? How was your experience? What was your favorite animal at the park? We’d love to hear all about it! Please leave a comment below or connect with us on Twitter , Facebook , and Instagram . Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more great places to experience around the Emerald City!

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Things to do in Seattle and the entire Puget Sound region

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Experience the best of Northwest wildlife at Northwest Trek, where a tram ride will bring you face to face with bison, elk, moose, mountain goats and more. You can also walk a paved path through the forest to see large predators such as grizzly bears, wolves, cougars and other native forest animals.

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Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

The park is an easy drive from Tacoma and Seattle. It’s open year-round, with each season offering something new to experience. A narrated tram tour of the free-roaming area allows you to see bison, Roosevelt elk, moose, mountain goats and other native animals, up close in their natural habitats. A self-guided walking tour along the paved trails in the core of the park provides the opportunity to see grizzly bears, wolves and more in naturalistic exhibits.

• Suitable Activities: Urban Adventure
• Seasons: Year-round
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• Land Manager: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
• Parking Permit Required: None
• Recommended Party Size: 12
• Maximum Party Size: 20
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Bring your family and reconnect with fun at our nature-inspired playground with ropes, slides, cabins and a massive “tree trunk.”

Kids from toddlers to tweens will love Kids’ Trek, an adventure playground inspired by nature. Hang like a spider in a rope net, crawl through a tunnel into a 20-foot-tall “tree trunk” or explore a simulated beaver lodge.

It’s free with park admission and open whenever the park is open. It’s also ADA-accessible and close to the café.

Kids’ Trek inspires kids to get active in nature. Come play with us.

Children learn to appreciate the environment by interacting with nature on their own terms. Plus, nature play is fun and beneficial! Kids, adults, plants and pollinators all co-exist in Kids’ Trek. Watch as butterflies, birds, bees all delight in this space.

Explore bridges, rope ladders and nets.

Crawl, climb, slide, jump and explore.

How are those balancing skills?

Build and experiment with natural components such as sticks and wood blocks to create freely.