Outdoors & recreation
Rivers, ridges and shrub-steppe
Three rivers, long sunny seasons and trailheads minutes from downtown. Here’s where to go — and what to know about heat, water and passes before you do.
Parks, trails & preserves
Amon Creek Natural Preserve
Wetland, riparian and shrub-steppe trails along the west fork of Amon Creek; more than 150 bird species recorded. Trailheads off South Leslie Road and…
Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve
The Tri-Cities’ favorite hike: the Canyon Trail climbs to summit views over all three cities and the rivers. Trailheads at Trailhead Park (Queensgate Dr)…
Badger Mountain Community Park
Park on Keene Rd Trl in Richland.
Chamna Natural Preserve
A 276-acre preserve at the Yakima River delta with more than 11 miles of trails through shrub-steppe, riparian and wetland habitat.
Chiawana Park
West Pasco riverfront park on the Columbia with picnic areas and a section of the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.
Clover Island
Port of Kennewick island with a marina, a riverside walkway, the lighthouse viewpoint, public art and waterfront dining.
Columbia Park
The region’s signature riverfront park: miles of Columbia River shoreline, the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a family fishing pond, playgrounds, boat launches and a bandshell…
Columbia Plateau Trail State Park
A long rail-trail on the former Spokane, Portland & Seattle line; the southern section starts near Pasco. Gravel surface, very little shade.
Columbia Point Marina Park
Park on Riverfront Trail in Richland.
Before you go
Heat: summer afternoons regularly top 100°F and most trails have no shade. Start at sunrise, carry more water than you think, and watch for rattlesnakes on warm days.
Rivers: the Columbia and Snake are big, cold and fast even when the surface looks calm. Wear a life jacket on the water and swim only at designated areas.
Passes & fire: Washington state parks (Sacajawea, Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry) require a Discover Pass. Check burn bans before any fire.
Good to know
- Bateman Island is no longer reachable on foot — its causeway was removed in 2026 to restore Yakima River flow for salmon.
- Hanford Reach National Monument protects the last free-flowing stretch of the Columbia in the U.S.; the White Bluffs are its signature hike.
- Palouse Falls, in northern Franklin County, is Washington’s official state waterfall — about 90 minutes from Pasco.
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