Northwest Trek wildlife park

Colorful fall foliage among the evergreens makes this a great season to visit Northwest Trek wildlife park. The resident bison, moose, deer, caribou, mountain goats and other North American wildlife are getting their winter coats and the bull elk are especially frisky, but it's not you they're trying to impress with their bugling; it's mating season.

In this park, the animals roam freely and the humans are confined. A comfortable tram takes visitors on a tour of the 435-acre free-range area to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Other animals are in exhibits along walking trails in the park. The trams, trails and picnic tables are all accessible to visitors in wheelchairs, with grading of trails allowing for easy maneuvering. The park offers rental of wheelchairs, electric carts, strollers and wagons.

Through October, the park is open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Northwest Trek is in Eatonville, off Highway 161 about 17 miles south of Puyallup; admission is $3.50-$7.50, phone 360-832-7182, www.nwtrek.org.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company

---