Join us from December 26 to January 1, 2024, and celebrate the year’s end with nature! At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, animal pals get some cool presents too! The awesome keeper team transforms into Santa’s elves, crafting special treats for the resident critters. Imagine this: cardboard gingerbread houses, paper chains, and even mini Christmas trees. It’s like Santa’s workshop, but for animals! These enrichment treats are stuffed with goodies like meatballs, veggies, and fruits, tempting skunks, lynxes, beavers, and others to explore and play. It’s not just about the treats; it’s about the f ..read more

Beer enthusiasts can fuel their knowledge and sample a myriad of craft brews on a fall tour of three charming and welcoming locales near Mount Rainier National Park. Drink in the stunning vista of Mt. Rainier from outside the national park boundaries, then stop at a small-town brewery or cidery for refreshments and when you’ve completed your adventures for the day, check into the lodging within walking distance. Eatonville, Packwood, and Enumclaw offer all this and more. Eatonville Enjoy the quiet, serene drive on WA-161 to Dogwood Park (41299 Clear Lake Hwy) in Eatonville. Dogwood Park was es ..read more

Hang out with Mt. Rainier’s most well-known ghouls and ghosts Head out on a goosebump-rising adventure in the shadows of the famed Mt. Rainier. Beyond the serene lakes and peaceful trails, this region is home to its fair share of phantom-filled spots. Whether you’re hoping to find a haunted hike, an abandoned ghost town, or an eerie special event, the spooky sites near Mt. Rainier definitely won’t disappoint. Head Out on a Haunted Hike If you’re looking for a haunted hike near Mt. Rainier, the Camp Muir Trail is at the top of the list. Even without the spooky factor, this hike is difficult, co ..read more

Visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park at night and listen for nocturnal animals, or watch animals enjoy fall treats during a daytime event  It’s time for “spooky” fall fun at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park! From exploring the forest at night to watching animals enjoy fall offerings like pumpkins, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The park will be decorated with eerie spider webs and pumpkins everywhere. We encourage guests to wear their Halloween costumes for both events below (we ask that adults leave their scary masks and face paint at home, please).  Hoot ‘n’ Howl: Oct. 13-14 ..read more

In a world where the demands of daily life often overshadow the natural world, a surprising sanctuary thrives in Ashford, Washington. A mere 3.6 miles from this haven lies the Nisqually entrance, the busiest among the 5 entrances to Mount Rainier National Park. On average 200,000 visitors in a hurry to get to the national park rush past Wellspring throughout the year, missing out on a hidden gem that awaits discovery: the Wellspring Labyrinth. Designed exclusively for overnight guests in the Wellspring cabins, this labyrinth transcends mere construction. For those curious souls who venture ont ..read more

Why visit Tipsoo Lake at Mount Rainier National Park?  Take a Wildflower Selfie at Tipsoo Lake Tipsoo Lake is gorgeous throughout the year but when the wildflowers are in bloom at Tipsoo Lake you may feel like you stepped onto a Disney film set. The wildflower meadows are incredible! Since the blooms are dependent on weather patterns and snowmelt, it’s hard to predict when the wildflowers will make their debut. Typically we see blooms as early as late July with the peak blooms happening in mid-August.  No strenuous hike is required. If you can walk throu ..read more

Welcome to Hiker’s Haven | Ashford, WA Discover a new vacation rental near Mount Rainier, Hiker’s Haven. This property is located in the heart of Ashford, Washington. Here, the updated accommodations offer a comfortable inviting retreat for up to 4 guests. This newly built 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom cabin also has a sleeping loft and can accommodate up to 4 guests. With 1,300 square feet there’s plenty of space for guests to experience a peaceful sanctuary after your outdoor adventures. Hiker’s Haven is situated just 5.5 miles from the Nisqually Entrance to Mt. Rainier National Park (open year roun ..read more

Northwest Trek is celebrating five years since grizzly bears Hawthorne and Huckleberry first arrived at the wildlife park. To mark the occasion, the public is invited to join special keeper chats on August 5 and August 6 at 1:30pm, where the bears will get special enrichment items like fish frozen in icy treats.   Born in the winter of 2018, the grizzly bears were orphaned in the wild: Hawthorne in Alaska and Huckleberry in Montana. Neither would have survived without their mom. Cared for by local zoos, they came to their new Northwest Trek home in August 2018.  When the be ..read more

How much can you see at Mount Rainier in 48 hours? With over 300 miles of protected wilderness just how much can a visitor see in 2 days at Mount Rainier National Park? We had a chance to work with travel writer, photographer, and blogger Jayson Moorman of Explore Moor during his recent trip to Mount Rainier National Park. Jayson set out on a whirlwind trip to see the lush meadows of Paradise, and the majesty of Reflection Lakes. He was able to hear the roar of the White River and experience stargazing bliss at the Fremont Lookout Tower! Read on as Jayson shares his story.   “What a beaut ..read more

Slug Fest returns to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park July 22-23 Experience human slug races, tentacle headbands, and other sluggy activities for the whole family. Since its first festivities in 1983, guests to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park have kept the annual Slug Fest event sluggin’ along, celebrating the greenish‐yellow banana slug year after year. The quintessentially Northwest tradition returns for its 40th anniversary on July 22 and July 23 from 10 a.m.‐4 p.m. and promises to be slimier than ever before.  “It’s the slimiest event in the Northwest, and there’s nothing else like it ..read more