Eatonville, WA Road Trips

In 1889, Indian Henry was one of the Nisqually who guided the town's Euro-American founder, Thomas C. Van Eaton, from Mashell Prairie to the present site of Eatonville. Legend has it that upon arrival Henry declared, "This is a good place. Not much snow." For years Eatonville was a waypoint for visitors to Mount Rainier. In 1902, the Tacoma Eastern Railroad arrived, providing freight and passenger service and a vital link to Tacoma. Soon after the railroad's arrival, several small mills sprang up in the vicinity. In the 1970s, the Wildlife park of Northwest Trek was opened and it remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area, other than Mount Rainier itself.

1 Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (formerly Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum), 54124 Mountain Hwy E, Elbe, ☏ +1 253-900-7245, [email protected]. Memorial Day to late Oct, Polar Express trains Nov-Dec. A steam-powered heritage railroad operating between the towns of Elbe and Mineral. The railroad has three steam engines, as well as a diesel locomotive in regular service, along with several other locomotives of both types of engines. (updated Apr 2025) 2 Northwest Trek, 11610 Trek Dr E, ☏ +1 360-832-6117. M-F 9:30AM-4PM, Sa-Su 9:30AM-5PM. This 723 acres (293 hectares) park is home to black and grizzly bears, grey wolves, bald eagles, a cougar, wolverines, bobcats, and more than 200 other North American animals. A tram tour takes visitors through a 435-acre (176 ha) free-roam area. The park also allows guests to drive their own vehicles past bison, mountain goats, Roosevelt elk, deer, caribou, swans and more on a Wild Drive tour. Guests can also take a premier Keeper Adventure Tour and go off-road in a Jeep with a keeper and up close to wildlife. The Zip Wild zipline is also open seasonally. Gate price: Adult (13+) $27, Senior (65+) $25, Youth (3-12) $18. Discount for online tickets and military. (updated Apr 2025)

Driving is the only practical way to get in. Pierce Transit, the county public transit agency, does not serve Eatonville. State Route 161 (SR-161, Meridian Ave E) from Federal Way, Puyallup and South Hill is the main route from the north. State Route 7 (SR-7) from Tacoma and Spanaway towards the northwest, and from Morton, Ashford and Mount Rainier towards the south, runs just west of town.

Driving is the only practical way to get around beyond the small main street. There is no public transit, and the major attractions are several miles from the center of town.