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.
