LIVING
NORTHWEST TRAIL
Formerly Northern Trail
COMING SOON
Northern Trail is Becoming Living Northwest Trail
Phase 1 Construction Underway Now
Discover the wildlife of the great Northwest and how we are all connected to nature and each other by the choices we make every day. The Living Northwest Trail highlights the conservation successes and the challenges up ahead as we all work together to create a sustainable future for people and animals in the Northwest.
The new exhibit reimagines the former Northern Trail where you’ll still encounter many zoo favorites such as gray wolves, river otters and a grizzly bear. In the reimagined Living Northwest Trail, you’ll now discover the everyday conservation connections among these animals and the proud and diverse communities of our region. This exhibit is made possible with dedicated support from private funders and major maintenance funding from the voter-approved Seattle Park District.
Phase 1
Coming Summer 2021
Construction is underway now to update signage and entry markers, install new Coast Salish artworks, and complete upgrades to seating and structural elements in the exhibit. See construction closures below before your next visit.
Phases 2 and 3
Coming 2022
Look for new animal additions coming soon!
Pigott Family Lynx Exhibit - get up close to this little-seen Northwest carnivore and discover the lynx’s link to climate change
Basecamp Northwest (formerly Tundra Building) - inside is your basecamp for exploring conservation solutions in the Northwest including a never-before-seen glimpse into the zoo’s flagship conservation lab where animal keepers rear endangered turtles to be released into protected wetlands each year
NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION
Construction Closures to Note
Winter/Spring 2021
Construction closures will be completed in phases to minimize the impact to the visitor experience. Please take note of the following closure schedule ahead of your next visit:
Phase 1: January 27 - February 13, 2021
Partial Exhibit Closure
The visitor pathway starting at the Taiga Viewing Shelter to elk viewing will be closed. Elk viewing, Steller’s sea eagles and indoor viewing of river otters and brown bears will be closed.
Phase 3: March 1 – 31, 2021
Full Exhibit Closure
Full closure of the Northern Trail exhibit.
Phase 2: February 17 - 27, 2021
Partial Exhibit Closure
The visitor pathway starting at the Tundra building to elk viewing will be closed. Elk viewing, Steller’s sea eagles, river otters and indoor viewing of brown bears will be closed.
Phase 4: April 1 – 17, 2021
More details to come.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
DONATE
Make a gift of any size to support this work and efforts to save wildlife in the Northwest and around the world. With a gift of $1,000 or more, you will be recognized within the exhibit in 2022. Simply choose the Living Northwest Trail designation on the donation form.
Make a gift
DISCOVER
Learn about the zoo’s Living Northwest conservation projects that are saving species across our region.
Find out more
What Animals Will You See?
Brown Bear
Elk
Gray Wolf
Great Grey Owl
Porcupine
Mountain Goat
Snowy Owl
Steller's Sea Eagle