Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is welcoming winter with two highly anticipated experiences: the return of Winter Wildland from December 26–28 and the launch of the 2026 season of Dog Days, beginning January 4, 2026. Both events invite guests to enjoy the beauty of the wildlife park and its animals in immersive, festive, and family-friendly ways.
WINTER WILDLAND: December 26–28 | 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Step into a sparkling winter wildland wonderland filled with festive décor and crisp mountain air, while watching animals discover seasonal enrichment items crafted by animal care staff. These enrichments encourage natural behaviors like foraging, sniffing, and investigating, and often contain favorites like meatballs, veggies, and chopped fruit.
Admission includes a ride on a warm, electric tram that glides through the tranquil Free-Roaming Area, offering up-close views of elk, bison, mountain goats, and other wildlife moving gracefully through serene winter woodlands.
Daily Winter Wildland activities include:
- 11:30 a.m. – Forest & Wetlands Keeper Chat: Learn about animals like raccoons, badgers, otters, beavers, and more.
- 1:30 p.m. – Carnivore Keeper Chat: Meet the carnivore care team and hear about the behaviors and care of the wildlife park’s predators like cougars, bears, and gray wolves.
- All day – Owl Craft in the Cheney Discovery Center: Families can create their own owl-themed artwork to take home.
- All day – Star Craft in Baker Cabin: A cozy, winter-themed craft celebrating the wonders of the night sky.
- All day – Storybook Walk on Cat Loop: Wander the trail past cougars, lynx, and bobcats as a seasonal story unfolds page by page along the forest path.
To learn more about Winter Wildland, visit: https://www.nwtrek.org/event/wildland/
DOG DAYS RETURN FOR 2026 ON SELECT DATES: January 4, 10, 19, 30; February 7, 15, 21, 27; March 6, 13, 22, 28
Northwest Trek’s popular Dog Days return with expanded dates in early 2026, offering more opportunities for dogs and their humans to explore nature together. Guests can wander dog-friendly forest trails and enjoy a day designed specifically with canine companions in mind.
Each guest aged 18+ may bring one leashed, well-behaved dog with a pre-purchased Dog Days ticket. Walk-up dog admissions will not be available. Dogs must be on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet and must be current on vaccinations. While dogs aren’t allowed on trams, they are welcome passengers on select Dog Days Wild Drives, where you can drive past the Free-Roaming Area animals from the comfort of your own vehicle.