northwest trek washington

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Top ways to experience Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (1.10 mi) *Gateway to Mount Rainier* Spacious Ohop Lake Waterfront Cabin
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Premier Tours

Get up close to the animal action in our 435-acre Free-Roaming Area! Hop in the Jeep with a keeper on the Keeper Adventure Tour, drive your own car on a Wild Drive, and get exclusive shots on a Photo Tour. Moose, elk, mountain goats and more – book your seat now.

Keeper Adventure Tour

Want to get up close and personal with a moose? Stare down a bison? Then hop in the Jeep with one of our keepers, get off the tour roads and join a 90-minute animal adventure you’ll never forget. (Groups or individuals.)

INFO & BOOKINGS

Experience the awe and wonder of seeing a moose or bison calf from the comfort and safety of your own car. Our all-new Wild Drive premier tour allows you to drive by roaming herds of Roosevelt elk and mountain goats in our beautiful Free-Roaming Area guided by live naturalist audio.

Photo Tours

Love photography? Love wildlife? Then you’ll love our Photo Tour. With a maximum of 4 people, there’s even room on the tram to set up a monopod. And our naturalist guides will look for views of moose, elk, caribou and more that’ll take your breath away.

2024 Tour Dates: April 27, May 19, June 8, July 7, July 27, August 4, August 14, August 24, October 6, November 2, and November 10

Elk bugling tours.

Ever heard the eerie sound of an elk bugling? The loud clash of antlers? If you’ve been to Northwest Trek during “The Rut” (breeding season) then you’ll never forget it. Take a special two-hour, keeper-guided Jeep tour through our Free-Roaming Area, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for bugling calls, sparring and more.

2024 TOURS DATES: September 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29

Northwest Trek

NNRG | Posted on October 23, 2013 |

Northwest Trek, Eatonville, WA

By Jennifer Whitelaw

Northwest Trek is a 723-acre wildlife park near Eatonville. 435 of those acres feature a fenced in free-roaming area where native Northwest animals can be viewed from a moving tram. Take the tour and you will hear about the animals from one of the naturalists on staff.  You will also hear about Northwest Trek’s efforts to steward their forest using sustainable forest management techniques.

The free-roaming area is thinned periodically to remove trees that may endanger either the animals or the tram system.  The composition of the forest in this area is beginning to dramatically change, however, as maintenance manager Chip Heinz points out, because the animals tend to eat any young trees that either naturally regenerate in the area, or that are planted by maintenance staff.   Protecting newly planted trees would require substantial and unnatural looking structures, so the park is wrestling with how to keep the free roaming area forested into the future.

“People look to Northwest Trek as a conservation leader,” said Dave, explaining why certifying the forest at Northwest Trek was so important to the park and Metro Parks Tacoma, the public agency responsible for overseeing Northwest Trek.  Dave and Chip say that certification helps them raise the bar of sustainable practices, and that the public is appreciative of their efforts.

“The public is more and more concerned with sustainability,” said Chip, adding that other land owners, especially those interacting with the public or looking for a higher value niche market for their wood products, should look into FSC certification as soon as they can.

Although Northwest Trek is publicly owned and operated, and therefore not motivated to produce a profit from timber harvesting, they were able to make enough money from the first sale of certified timber to help improve trails, plant some new species and augment their interpretive work.  Additionally, some of the alder was sold to Alexander’s Lumber Mill in Onalaska.  Alexander’s is a local family run mill that recently became FSC certified in order to diversify their product line and remain economically viable in a depressed lumber market.

Dave and Chip both care deeply that people come to understand that even native forests need to be managed.   “The illusion,” says Dave, “is that nature will take its natural course and everything will be fine, but that’s not what’s happening.  Animals and forests need attention as we’ve influenced both so much over time.” Chip added, “The quality of life we enjoy depends upon keeping habitats intact.”

Northwest Trek’s staff and board have made a concerted effort to make healthy and diverse habitat the primary focus of their interpretive program, and to teach visitors how animals and plants live together in the various habitats at the park.

One visitor expressed concern when she saw small piles of forest debris from a recent thinning scattered throughout the forest.  But when a naturalist explained to her that the piles actually created habitat for birds, amphibians and small mammals, and were an alternative to burning the debris, she was delighted with the creative ways the park was implementing its forest management program.

Since then, Dave, Chip and the rest of their team have thinned some of the Douglas fir and introduced additional native tree and shrub species. They say that some people were startled by the first thinning, which happened in the entrance area to the park.  However, now that the understory vegetation has grown back and much of the logging debris has broken down, visitors would be hard pressed to notice that the area had recently been thinned.

The true test came when one of the park’s original benefactors and former owner of the land, the late Connie Hellyer, came to take a look. Six months after the thinning, Connie visited and said it looked “wonderful.”

“She was the most critical eye,” said Dave.

Northwest Trek’s forest management plan is tied to a 20 year master plan for the park, which, among other things, calls for extending the nature trail around the entire park. As with all their efforts, the staff of Northwest Trek and Metro Parks Tacoma, as well as the park’s volunteers, hopes to promote diversity and sustainability, public and animal safety and enhanced habitat.

Volunteers play an important role in maintaining the park, and anyone interested is encouraged to visit the “get involved” section of the Northwest Trek website for more information.

Northwest Trek’s partnership with NNRG has helped it to fulfill its mission as a leader in sustainable resource management.  Initially the wildlife park worked with NNRG to earn FSC certification for the park’s forest.  As part of the certification process, Kirk Hanson, the South Sound Manager for NNRG’s Northwest Certified Forestry Program, worked with Northwest Trek to develop a new comprehensive forest management plan and forest monitoring program.  More recently NNRG and Northwest Trek have teamed up to host a training seminar on forest inventorying and monitoring, as well as a presentation and tour on the ecological forestry principles that are being implemented at the park.  Northwest Trek continues to be interested in working with NNRG to host educational seminars at the park and use the park as a model for teaching purposes.

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Insider's Guide to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park

Adorable baby animals plus our best tips for the tram tour, hidden gems and more.

By Maegen Blue

Published on: june 11, 2018.

“Whoa!” said my son, “I think that bison is looking at us !” We were on the Discovery Tram Tour at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park , and one bison in a group we were passing did seem to have its eye right on us.

Northwest Trek is an open-range zoo near Eatonville and the the tram tour is the highlight of any visit to the park. You’ll have plenty of “this-isn’t–like-a-regular-zoo” moments at Trek, where animals native to our region roam free or spend their days in large exhibits that mimic their natural habitats. Northwest Trek celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015, opened an expansive kids' play area in 2016 and continues as a uniquely Northwest destination and a not-to-be-missed wild time for animal lovers of all ages.

Key highlights of a trip this summer include American bison calves born to Northwest Trek's resident animals in late spring and growing quickly. They are with their herd, roaming the park's hundreds of acres, and can be viewed from the tram tour. Animals include bison, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats (roaming freely); and grizzly bears, bobcats, wolves and eagles (in naturalistic exhibits).

“It’s always exciting for us to witness the joy and wonder on our visitors’ faces when they get to experience seeing a new calf or lamb for the first time,” Northwest Trek education curator Jessica Moore said.

In addition to riding the park’s tram, visitors can walk forested paths to view American black bears, a grizzly bear, Canada lynx, gray wolves, red foxes, beavers, a river otter and other animals.

Northwest Trek exists because of the generosity of Doc and Connie Hellyer, who donated the land to Metro Parks Tacoma with the goal of preserving a home for animals and teaching visitors to love nature. The park opened on July 17, 1975.  

Our family thinks Northwest Trek warrants a visit any day, especially if you have kids who love nature or animals or are entertaining guests from out of town. We’ve been going to Trek since our boys were small and we’ve learned a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of your visit.

1. Go early for best animal viewing

Animals at Trek tend to be more active early in the morning, particularly during warmer weather. If you arrive in the afternoon on a hot day, you’ll likely be there for nap time!

2. Time your tram

The highlight of your Trek visit will be the Discovery Tram Tour  through the park's 435 wild, free-roaming acres, a 50-minute, naturalist-narrated ride that gets you up close and personal with the animals in a truly unique way. You might see a trumpeter swan gliding on the lake, goats leaping in the meadow, or deer grazing on the hills. The animals are free to roam through the area, and every season at Trek offers something different. Late spring is the time to see baby animals, and late summer brings the sound of bugling elk.

Tram tours run every hour (10 a.m–6 p.m. during the summer) and you pick your time when you purchase admission.  Do not be late for your tram time, and make sure little ones have used the bathroom first. Though food isn’t generally allowed, the friendly driver will tell you that your small children are welcome to have their sippy cups and crackers. They want all their riders happy! Window seats are best, but you’ll get a good look at the action from any seat. The drivers are trained naturalists, and they’ll share lots of information about Trek and the animals.

You can also pay extra for a specialized tour , such as a Photo Tour or Keeper Tour.

3. Pack a picnic

There is food at Trek — think standard burgers and sandwiches — but we suggest packing a picnic. There are lots of tables near the front entrance.

4.  Dress for walking

In addition to the tram ride, Trek features a walking tour that is paved, making it wheelchair and stroller friendly, though there is one fairly steep slope down to the tram.  You’ll want comfortable shoes to be able to take it all in. Exhibits include raptors, such as eagles and turkey vultures; Cat Country, with bobcat, lynx, and cougar; and the Northwest Loop with bears, fox, wolves and coyotes. There are also wetland and forest animals.

5. Prepare your kids for this type of zoo

Note: If kids hear the word "zoo," they may be thinking lions and tigers. You may want to read some stories on area animals before you go, so your children understand what they'll be seeing.

6. Don’t miss the hidden gems

Don’t miss the E.H. Baker Cabin when you’re by the wolves. It’s a small cabin where kids can experience being scientists and (my boys’ favorite part), duck into a little tunnel where a window looks directly into the wolf exhibit.

If you have trouble seeing the bears, we’ve found they’re usually in the back. To find the cats, you often have to look up, up, up, into the trees.

The wetland and forest animals may not have the wow factor of some of the other creatures, but these exhibits are particularly nice for younger children because the animals are easy to spot and fun to watch. There is a small, underground section where you can see them going in and out of their homes, and there is an overlook where you can see some of them having a swim.

7. Talk to the naturalists

Take time to enjoy a trailside talk with a naturalist.  They often have some creatures or interesting exhibits with them. It’s a great chance for kids to ask questions.

8. Stop at the Discovery Center

Don’t miss the Cheney Discovery Center . It features educational exhibits, books, and puppets. There are also typically animal- or nature-themed crafts, and there is always a volunteer or naturalist on hand to answer questions and help out. It’s a nice stop if the kids are tired or you hit a rain shower. It can be hard to get kids out of here, so you may want to go after your tram ride.

9. Make a day of it — wild play time included

Trek really isn’t on the way to or from anything. Plan to make this a full-day outing. Kids won't let you miss Kids' Trek , the half-acre, adventure-themed playground opened in 2016. If needed, plan on having the kids passed out in the back seat when you head for home.

10. Zip wild into the trees

If you need more adventure, Trek offers five different high ropes courses suitable for various ages .  Admission to these is separate (and not cheap), but may be worth it if you need to bond with a thrill-seeking teen. (As of this writing, no one in our household has braved them!)

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in June 2018.

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Related Topics

• Outdoor Fun
• South Sound

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About the author.

Maegen Blue is a writer based in Puyallup. She was the editor and publisher Sounds Fun Mom, a site serving South Sound-area families with outing and activity ideas.

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Winter Wildland at Northwest Trek this Holiday Season

ENJOY A “WINTER WILDLAND” AT NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK

Watch as animals receive holiday gifts and Christmas trees Dec. 26-Jan. 1

The air is crisp, the sun is peeking through the clouds, and Mount Rainier stands tall and majestic in the distance. You’re on your way to a tranquil forest filled with howling gray wolves and eagles screeching in Eatonville, Washington. When you arrive, you walk into a Winter Wildland. It’s the perfect start to a day filled with the magic of nature.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s  Winter Wildland event returns Dec. 26–January 1 from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Guests can watch in delight as native Northwest animals enjoy holiday-themed treats and enrichments, like cardboard gingerbread houses, paper chains, and even Christmas trees. All the holiday-themed enrichments are thoughtfully crafted by staff and filled with meatballs, veggies, chopped fruit, or other yummy items to encourage bears, bobcats, gray wolves, and others to explore and investigate.

Be sure to catch these special keeper chats:

• Woodland animals: 11:30 a.m. daily
• Carnivore animals: 1:30 p.m. daily

Winter Wildland activities are included with admission to the wildlife park. Sip hot chocolate from the café while you watch the little ones in your group burn off some energy at the Kids’ Trek nature-inspired playground.

For an added cost, book a  Wild Drive  or  Keeper Adventure Tour through the serene winter stillness to spot elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goats, bison, and other native Northwest animals wandering through the 435-acre Free-Roaming Area. Both premier tours include admission to the walking area of the park.

WEB:   www.nwtrek.org ADDRESS: 11610 Trek Dr. E, Eatonville, WA 98328 PHONE: (360) 832-6117

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From Krispy Kreme to SunChips, more and more companies roll out total solar eclipse promotions

The doughnut maker will partner with oreo on an eclipse-themed product. delta and southwest airlines are offering flights in the path of totality, and a special moonpie will be on shelves..

Krispy Kreme will offer a special Oreo special creation in honor of Monday’s total solar eclipse.

Associated Press

NEW YORK — More and more businesses are taking advantage of the total solar eclipse set to dim skies across North America on Monday.

In the snacks department alone, Krispy Kreme is teaming up with Oreo to sell a limited doughnut-cookie creation. Sonic Drive-In is selling a “Blackout Slush Float.” And Frito-Lay's SunChips has unveiled a new flavor that will only be available during the celestial event's nearly 4 1/2 minutes of totality.

MoonPie also kicked off a “Sun vs. Moon” smackdown-themed campaign as the chocolate snack maker promotes its “eclipse survival kit,” made up of four mini MoonPies and two pairs of eclipse glasses.

Meanwhile, airlines like Southwest and Delta have advertised eclipse-viewing flight paths. And beyond promotions from big-name brands, small businesses along the 115 mile-wide prime path are leading the charge to meet the incoming tourist demand.

• Chicago-area solar eclipse hunters plan trek south to take in totality: ‘You have to experience it’

Some towns and local vendors have been anticipating the celestial event and its huge crowds for years. There are oodles of special eclipse safety glasses for sale, along with T-shirts emblazoned with clever slogans and more astronomical souvenirs. Other offerings include eclipse-themed beer, specialty dining packages and watch parties at amusement parks, wineries and zoos.

Marketing tied to rare spectacles, like the sun’s disappearing act behind the moon, isn’t new.

In 2017, the last time the U.S. saw a big slice of a total solar eclipse, scores of companies tapped into the action — including Krispy Kreme.

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company previously rolled out limited-edition chocolate glazed doughnuts for the 2017 eclipse, and those treats have made a few returns since. But that might not be the case for this year's "Total Solar Eclipse Doughnut." The Krispy Kreme-Oreo combo is set to be available from Friday through Monday, according to an announcement from the chain this week.