Seattle-Tacoma Area Attraction: Northwest Trek

Northwest Trek is an expansive wildlife park located in Eatonville, Washington, less than 20 miles from Puyallup. This fun family attraction offers narrated tram tours, a children's discovery center, eateries, picnic areas, a gift shop, special events throughout the year and miles of walking trails through lush landscape.

Northwest Trek's narrated tram tour is a great way to view moose, bison, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, blacktail deer and endangered woodland caribou roaming free. With lots of photo opportunities, beautiful scenery and no walking required, this tour will allow the entire family to sit back and relax while you learn about the animals from your naturalist tour guide.

The Cheney Children's Discovery Center is a great place for the kids (and you) to participate in educational activities, view wildlife displays and visit with some of the smaller animals living at Northwest Trek. For a grown-up learning experience, check out the Baker Research Cabin, which also offers hands-on activities that let you get a taste of what it's like to be an animal researcher. If you love wolves, you won't want to miss this stop.

For other animal programs and educational encounters, check the information board at the entrance before you start exploring. That way you can schedule your walking and tram tours around programs scheduled for that day.

The walking tour offers an easy stroll where you can view gray wolves, foxes, coyotes, grizzly and black bears, great horned owls, snowy owls, barn owls, golden and bald eagles, insects, reptiles, a cougar, bobcat and lynx. And that is all before you get to the forest and wetland areas to see badgers, wolverines, porcupines, skunks, badgers, fishers, beavers and river otters.

Keep in mind that this is the Pacific Northwest, which means that inclement weather could occur at any time of the year. So, remember to bring some sort of lightweight rain gear and know that, if it does rain, some of the trails within the park may be closed.

For eco-minded travelers, Northwest Trek is a green travel destination and has been awarded a four-star rating by EnviroStars. Northwest Trek purchases green power, uses green cleaning products, practices recycling, reducing and reusing and powers their trams and most park vehicles with alternative fuels (like propane and biodiesel). Even their brochure is printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink.

Admission fees are $15 for adults (13-64 years old), $13.50 for seniors, $10.00 for youth ages five to twelve, $7.00 for youth ages three to four and free for those under three.

Northwest Trek is a great day trip for those of us who live in the Seattle/Tacoma area and is an easy addition to your trip for those of you who are visiting from out of town. For hours of operation, program reservations or more information, check out their website at www.nwtrek.org or call 1.360.832.6117.