About Us
Experience Northwest wildlife up close at this unique zoological park
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers an unparalleled opportunity to see native animals and their natural habitats up close and personal. This unique 725-acre park is home to more than 200 animals that are native to the Pacific Northwest region of the United States and Canada.
The signature tram tour takes you deep into the 435-acre free-roaming area where herds of bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk and more move freely through meadows and woods. A trained naturalist drives the tram and narrates the r 50-minute journey as you scout for animals and learn fun and interesting facts.
The park also includes a forested walking path that winds past naturalistic exhibits filled with grizzly bears, bobcats, wolves, eagles and other native animals. An additional five miles of nature trails allows you to explore the beauty of the Northwest wilderness.
Our Mission
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is dedicated to conservation, education and recreation by displaying, interpreting and researching native northwest wildlife and their natural habitats.
Our History
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. In 1994, the park set an all-time attendance record with more than 210,000 visitors, following the opening of the new grizzly bear exhibit.
Pierce County residents have shown strong support for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park over the years, approving several park bonds for improvements and additional exhibits. In 2000, Pierce County voters again expressed their support by passing a county-wide sales tax measure, which supports more than 40 percent of the park’s budget. The park is funded entirely through a combination of sales tax revenue, grants, donations and earned revenue, including admission fees and revenue from food and gift sales.
In 2005, Metro Parks purchased 100 acres bordering the northern end of the park, protecting the tram route from residential encroachment and providing new space for future conservation initiatives. A partnership between Northwest Trek, Pierce County, the Land Conservancy and several generous private donors made the land purchase possible.
On January 20, 2006, Dr. Hellyer passed away. However, his passion and commitment to Northwest wildlife and habitats lives on at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
