River Landscapes and Planning Your Time
Hanford Reach is the last remaining free-flowing, non-tidal stretch of the Columbia River in the United States. The Hanford Reach National Monument preserves more than 196,000 acres of open shrub-steppe desert and the White Bluffs escarpment.
Wildlife is also part of the river’s story: Hanford Reach hosts a significant fall run of Chinook salmon, and sturgeon measuring up to 10 feet (3.05 meters) long still inhabit its deep waters. The White Bluffs Rhythmites Trail begins at White Bluffs Ferry Landing. It is 1.7 to 3.0 miles each way and rated moderate. When planning, pay attention to the words “each way”: the stated distance does not automatically represent the full round trip. Trail conditions may vary.
For a paddling trip on Hanford Reach, duration is a useful planning estimate: it typically takes four to six hours. However, wind and water levels can significantly affect the duration. This also means the two activities require different kinds of planning: the trail has a stated distance and difficulty rating, while the time frame on the water is explicitly variable.
History in Exhibits and at the Reactor
The REACH Museum explores the natural and human history of the Tri-Cities and surrounding area. Permanent and changing exhibits cover the Manhattan Project, the Cold War, Indigenous peoples, and catastrophic Ice Age floods. Exhibits and their contents may change.
An outdoor learning area complements these topics with hands-on, interactive activities. They explore irrigated agriculture, hop farming, native animals, native plants, and landscape formation. The museum thus covers human history as well as agriculture and nature.
B Reactor was completed in September 1944 and was the world’s first large-scale plutonium production reactor. Its interior and reactor face are currently accessible through public tours. A tour includes a 75-minute guided walk. Tour operations may change, so check the schedule before your visit.
The Prosser Historical Museum has three distinct exhibit areas. The Front Room welcomes visitors with the early history of Prosser and the surrounding area; another area focuses on Prosser’s natural shrub-steppe landscape. At Candy Mountain Trail, you’ll encounter two additional historical markers: a small monument to the history of the Hanford Site and a boulder marking the maximum height reached by former Lake Lewis during the Ice Age floods.
Wine and Culinary Discoveries
The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center offers educational events, classes, culinary experiences, and wine tastings. Schedules and offerings may change. The center combines learning about wine and food with experiences centered on both.
Vintners Village’s walkable grounds feature wine, dining, retail, and events. Individual businesses and events may change. Prosser Wine & Food Park is an agricultural and wine-focused site on the Columbia River; possible uses include tasting rooms.
Discover more destinations: Richland, Kennewick, Prosser, Pierce, Mason County, Grays Harbor County, Island County, Okanogan.
For the broader travel overview: Washington.
