5 Best Hikes in Tri-Cities, Washington

There are several great hikes in Tri-Cities, Washington, that both residents and visitors will enjoy. Of course you are not going to find snow-capped mountain tops and wooded forests like you would in the western half of Washington State, but you will find landscapes that boast a unique beauty that can only be found here in the Columbia Basin.

The hiking trails in the Tri-Cities travel through peaceful nature preserves and summit mountain tops where you can see shrub-step ecosystems that are dominated by native sage brush and bunch grass which is a result of the area’s arid climate.

Although the landscape looks vast and desolate on the surface, it is actually thriving with wildlife from migratory birds to large game animals. To gain a true understanding of this unique landscape and what it has to offer, it is best to hike one, or all, of the hiking trails on this list. Here are the five best hikes in the Tri-Cities!

The 5 best hikes in Tri-Cities, Washington

1. Rattlesnake Slope and Bench Trail Loop Hike

The Rattlesnake Slope and Bench Trail is a 5.6 mile loop hiking trail located inside Rattlesnake Slope Wildlife Area near Richland. The trail which starts adjacent to the Yakima River, sees moderate traffic from hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, horses and the occasional hunter.

This hiking trail follows a small canyon that gradually climbs up over a rolling hill. On your way up, be sure to stop and turn around to see sweeping views of the Tri-Cities and the Columbia River below.

At the top of the hill, the trail will flatten out and take you to a large area of native bunchgrass and sagebrush. From here, the trail briefly follows a fire road before continuing up the side of Rattlesnake Slope where you’ll gain a little more elevation.

At this higher elevation you will have phenomenal views over Hanford Reach National Monument. Continue along the side of the slope before descending back down to the parking area.

Rattlesnake Slope Wildlife Area is prime upland bird habitat so keep an eye out for pheasants and quails. Coyotes can also be spotted here and if you’re lucky, you might see deer and elk too.

2. Badger Mountain Skyline Trail

The Badger Mountain Skyline Trail is a 5.8 mile loop hike that follows the ridgeline up to the summit of Badger Mountain. Along the trail you’ll mostly see sagebrush and native dryland grasses, but in the spring, Balsamroot and purple sagebrush bloom.

At the trail’s highest point of 1,500 feet, you’ll enjoy incredible views of the Tri-Cities, Columbia River, vineyards, and farmland.

The first section of the trail has a few switchbacks before crossing a service road around the 1.3 mile mark. Continue straight when you come to the first junction.

From here the Skyline Trail descends, crossing another service road, and eventually coming to a triple junction where the trail intersects with the Langdon and Sagebrush Trails. Take the Langdon Trail to get back to the parking lot.

3. Riverfront Trail

The Riverfront Trail offers an easy hike along a paved trail that runs between Columbia Point and Leslie Groves Park in Richland. It is 4 miles (one way) and follows the western bank of the Columbia River.

A hike along this greenbelt offers peaceful views of the only free-flowing section of the Columbia River. There are several shady parks along the way, as well as a few swinging bench seats to stop and enjoy the water views.

This is a fun trail, particularly in the spring and summer when you can stop to swim at Howard Amon Park, fish from the river bank, and watch ducks and geese plod around with their newborns.

You can turn this hike into a whole day of fun because there are quite a few coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, that you can stop and explore along the way.

Start the hike at either Columbia Point or Leslie Groves Park, and return the same way or catch the bus back from George Washington Way.

4. Candy Mountain

Candy Mountain Trail is a 3.6 mile out and back hike near Richland that offers fantastic views of the Tri-Cities and beyond from an overlook that stands at 1,383 feet!

From the trailhead, you’ll travel on a gravel road, passing through private property twice before entering a preserve area. The trail then climbs gently all the way to the summit of Candy Mountain.

Look out for a boulder along the way that marks the height of an ancient lake named Lake Lewis. The lake was formed by the great Missoula Floods over 11,000 years ago.

5. Chamna Nature Preserve

Chamna Nature Preserve is a 276 acre park in Richland that sits next to the Yakima River. This park is a hidden gem in the Tri-Cities offering more than 11 miles of unnamed hiking trails to explore.

What’s particularly special about this park is its shrub-step habitat which is an oasis for migratory birds, beavers, river otters, and deer.

This is a great place for hikers seeking flat and easy trails that are uncrowded. From the parking area, head down the main path and turn left onto the wide trail nearest the river. There is a map of the trail system at this junction. You can combine the River Trail and Peninsula Loop for a total of 3.8 miles.

So what are you waiting for? Now that you know where all the best hiking trails are in the Tri-Cities you can get out there and explore them for yourself! Always remember to be kind and courteous of others on the trail and leave no trace. PACK IT OUT!