Overview
Eatonville is a town in the foothills of Mount Rainier, near the south end of Puget Sound in Washington State.
2 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Eatonville
Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
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 typ…
Northwest Trek
This 723 acres 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…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 76°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Nov and Dec. (climate data from nearby Mount Rainier National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- OLM Olympia Regional Airport, Olympia — 31 mi away. Directions
- TIW Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma — 31 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 40 mi away (major hub). Directions
Driving is the only practical way to get in. Pierce Transit, the county public transit agency, does not serve Eatonville.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
- Afternoon Northwest Trek
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Understand
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.
Get in
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.
Get around
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.
Do
Do Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad (formerly Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum)
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.
Do Northwest Trek
This 723 acres 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.
Go next
- Mount Rainier National Park hosts the tallest mountain the Cascades and the most "prominent" mountain in the lower 48 states.
- Puyallup hosts the Washington State Fair every September.
Nearby
Ashford
City / town · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Puyallup
City / town · 13 listings · 21 mi away
Fife
City / town · 7 listings · 25 mi away
Steilacoom
City / town · 7 listings · 26 mi away
Mossyrock
City / town · 3 listings · 26 mi away
Mount Rainier National Park
Park · 67 listings · 26 mi away
Tacoma
City / town · 104 listings · 27 mi away
Lacey
City / town · 9 listings · 28 mi away
My experience
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