This visual journey showcases memorable milestones from the first 50 years of Northwest Trek’s operation.
On August 23, 1971, park benefactors David “Doc” and Connie Hellyer officially donated the land that would become Northwest Trek to Parks Tacoma. Construction efforts began immediately, and our first animals began to arrive soon after.
Northwest Trek was officially dedicated on July 17, 1975. Reflecting on the park’s mission, “Doc” Hellyer described it as a place where “people, especially children, might experience animals in the dignity and beauty of a nearly wild state within a natural setting.”
In the early 1980s, Northwest Trek recorded several sightings of wild, mountain-fresh Rainier Beers in the Free-Roaming Area, much to the delight of staff and visitors alike.
In 1983, Northwest Trek first celebrated all things banana slugs with Slug Fest. This event was so appealing that we continue to host Slug Fest to celebrate these amazing animals every summer.
In 1985, Northwest Trek received accreditation from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums after a rigorous inspection process. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to exceptional animal care and creating the best possible environment for the animals we serve.
Cat Country debuted in 1987, marking the first major addition since Northwest Trek opened, featuring bobcats, cougars, and lynx. In the summer of 1993, Northwest Trek further expanded with two new bear habitats offering new homes for our resident grizzly and black bears.
In 1999, the original Hellyer family cabin was repurposed into the Hellyer Natural History Center, honoring the roots of it all. Today, the refurbished Hellyer Natural History Center remains in the Free-Roaming Area and is accessible exclusively through private events.
In 2000, the Northwest Trek Foundation funded the installation of a bronze moose statue at the entrance to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Crafted by local artisan Jeff Oens, the sculpture has become an icon of Northwest Trek and an enduring symbol of Hellyer’s vision.
In 2014, Benton and Fern, then 6-year-old black bears, received their names from a public voting contest. Until this point, Northwest Trek had not used animal names since the 1980s. We now use names to connect people to the animals under our care, and to help share their stories.
In 2016, the highly anticipated opening of Kids’ Trek drew 3,122 visitors on its opening day – the highest attendance in our history. This immersive half-acre nature play area inspires children of all ages to play, learn, and grow.
Northwest Trek debuted new adventures in the Free-Roaming Area with premier off-road Keeper Adventure Tours beginning in 2018. Wild Drive Tours were unveiled in 2020, allowing guests to experience the Free-Roaming Area from the comfort of their own vehicles.
In 2019, the expansive Eagle Passage habitat opened, doubling the space for our resident Bald Eagles. This home was created to highlight the recovery story of the Bald Eagle, reinforce our conservation mission, and offer a message of hope to our guests and community. In 2021, Eagle Passage won the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Top Honors Exhibit Award.
In 2024, Northwest Trek unveiled our new Tour Station and electric tram fleet to the public, enhancing our empathy-based nature tours in the Free-Roaming Area. The new trams are quieter, more eco-friendly and efficient, and provide a higher–quality immersive experience that awakens a connection to wildlife within our guests.
Parks Tacoma acknowledges that the entirety of the land that Northwest Trek Wildlife Park sits upon is the traditional homeland of the Coast Salish people, who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today.