Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
Rate this placeNearby: Rimrock County Park Glacier Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 723-acre wildlife park located in the state of Washington.
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Summary
The park is home to over 200 animals of 30 different species, including moose, elk, bison, bears, wolves, foxes, and cougars.
One of the main reasons to visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is to see animals that are native to the Pacific Northwest region in their natural habitat. The park offers a unique opportunity to observe and learn about these animals up close. Visitors can take a guided tram tour around the park to see the animals in their natural environment or explore the park on foot along one of the many hiking trails.
Some of the points of interest at the park include the free-roaming area, where visitors can see bison, elk, and moose up close, and the Cheney Discovery Center, which features interactive exhibits and live animal presentations.
Some interesting facts about the park include that it was founded in 1971 and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The park also participates in conservation efforts, such as breeding programs for endangered species and habitat restoration for native animals.
The best time of year to visit Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is in the summer months when the park is open seven days a week and offers extended hours. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers a unique experience. In the fall, visitors can witness the elk rut season, and in the winter, they can see the animals in the snow.
Overall, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and anyone interested in learning about the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest region.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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