Nestled among the old-growth forest of a family farm on Camano Island lies an unexpected adventure oasis: Canopy Tours Northwest. This elevated action park features six ziplines, a log suspension bridge, and bird’s-eye views of the forest canopy and Cascade mountains in the distance. If you’re ready for an adrenaline rush in a stunning setting, read on for tips to make the most of your visit.
I was excited to visit Canopy Tours Northwest this April with my fearless 13-year-old son, who is always up for trying something new. Schedule your trip by making a reservation for the date and time you plan on visiting. Tours are offered from spring through early fall, and there are multiple tour times each day on weekends (Fridays-Mondays). There is no age requirement for ziplining, although all participants must be at least 48” tall and weigh between 65 and 280 pounds. All children ages 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Reaching Canopy Tours Northwest is as simple as driving from Seattle about an hour north on I-5, then crossing west on a short bridge that takes you to Camano Island (no ferry ride required!). If you need food or a rest break before your adventure, stop by Camano Commons right after you cross the bridge to the island. Featuring a marketplace, cafes, a brewery, an ice cream shop, and a park, this is the perfect place to refuel.
If you’re planning to spend more time on the island before or after your zipline tour, check out our guide to “The Easy Island”: Exploring Camano with kids for beaches, parks, restaurants, and family-friendly stops around Camano Island.
Ice cream from Camano Scoopz at Camano Commons. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
The entrance to Canopy Tours Northwest is located on Kristoferson Farm, just off the main road through the island. Ample parking is available in the site’s gravel parking lots. Near the main entrance, there are very clean port-o-potties, a covered picnic area, and even some friendly farm animals you can visit.
After you arrive, you will be greeted by a host who will check that all your paperwork is signed and help answer any questions. Ensure you are properly outfitted, like closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing (I recommend long pants so the ziplining harness doesn’t rub your legs), and warm or waterproof outdoor layers (the weather can change quickly in this area!). Also consider bringing well-fitting sunglasses: despite the shade under the trees, we were glad to have sunglasses so bugs and whooshing air stayed out of our eyes while we were ziplining. Make sure you have at least one zippered pocket for essentials like car keys and your phone, and leave all other valuables secure in your car.
There is excellent cell service throughout the tour, and participants are encouraged to take their own photos and videos while they are not actively ziplining. GoPro cameras are available to rent onsite for an extra $40 if you would like to record your adventure hands-free.
Our trusty steed. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
Before setting out on your adventure, guides on the ground lead participants through safety instructions and help outfit everyone with high-quality safety equipment. These guides remain with the group, which usually consists of 8-12 participants, throughout the tour.
With all of the preparation in place, it is time for the real adventure to begin! Participants are brought into the forest on a 1963 Unimog army vehicle. After bouncing along dirt roads for about three minutes, you arrive at the first canopy platform. The tour consists of six ziplines, with a few sidequest adventures sprinkled throughout. Each zipline ranges from a few hundred feet to the longest, which is over 600 feet. The first few ziplines are shorter and have a more gradual slope, while the longer, steeper slopes (more slope = FASTER!) come at the end of the tour.
(Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
Participants take turns ziplining at each stop, so there is a fair amount of waiting for turns. We enjoyed reading the informative nature signs at each platform to help pass the time while we waited for our turn on the zipline. We took a couple of brief walks on well-maintained trails through the woods to reach different zipline platforms. There was a rest break halfway through our 2.5-hour tour, where we were offered water and farm-to-trail lavender lemonade.
Break for lavender lemonade. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
My son and I both thought the ziplines were thrilling, but never scary. Cruising through the trees was captivating, and the ziplines’ speed felt just right. I felt incredibly safe with secure equipment and our guides, who ensured everyone was safe and having fun throughout our tour.
That being said, ziplining may not be for everyone. Children (or adults!) who are sensitive to heights or who may not want to jump from tall places should consider if this is the right type of adventure for them.
At the conclusion of our tour, we descended back to terra firma and walked the short distance across a field back to our starting point. After returning our equipment and picking up a few items from their onsite farmstand, I met up with one of Canopy Tour Northwest’s co-owners, Mona Campbell. She shared a bit about the generations of her family that have stewarded the farm and forest where the adventure park is now located, and their desire to create a healthy environment and a unique experience for their guests.
View of Mt Baker. (Image: Allison Peterson / Seattle’s Child)
I can honestly say that Canopy Tours Northwest offers an experience unlike any other in western Washington. Save these tips for the next time you crave time in the trees and an adventure to remember!
Some of the products, services, or experiences mentioned in this article may have been provided at no cost or at a discount. However, all opinions expressed are solely those of the author and/or the Seattle’s Child editorial team. Our coverage remains independent, and we only feature things we genuinely believe will be of interest to our readers.
