Living Northwest Trail

📍 Phinney Ridge, WA

★5.0(11 Google reviews)

The Living Northwest Trail at Woodland Park Zoo features Canada lynx, gray wolves, river otters, brown bears, and an endangered western pond turtle head-start center.

✓ wildlife exhibit✓ Canada lynx✓ gray wolves✓ conservation education✓ indigenous artwork✓ Woodland Park Zoo

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★★★★★Featured review by Yifei Xu

An amazing experience to visualize the natural habitats of species in PBW, with easy to understand and engaging educational materials.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families with children aged four and up who can engage with the interactive conservation stations and animal viewing. The lynx and wolf habitats are particular highlights for older kids.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Check the Woodland Park Zoo schedule for keeper talks near the turtle head-start center — the conservation lab is a standout

⏰The lynx exhibit is newer and often less crowded than legacy wolf and otter areas — visit early for best views

🎟️Listen to the Roger Fernandes audio or signage at the indigenous artwork stations for the full storytelling context

🚗Combine with other Woodland Park Zoo sections for a full-day visit — the trail is one section of the larger zoo

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →

5.0

★★★★★

11 Google reviews

Up-close animal experiences45%

Conservation & education quality30%

Indigenous art & storytelling15%

Exhibit design & immersion10%

Yifei Xu

★★★★★

“An amazing experience to visualize the natural habitats of species in PBW, with easy to understand and engaging educational materials.”

Oksana Goch

★★★★★

“Great place for kids . Amazing penguins and other animals. Love the nature.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

The Living Northwest Trail is a reimagined exhibit at Woodland Park Zoo replacing the former Northern Trail. New additions include a Canada lynx habitat and a conservation lab where keepers rear endangered western pond turtles before releasing them into protected wetlands. Returning animals include gray wolves, river otters, and brown bears.