Explore the wilds of Tri-Cities with these 9 ‘urban hikes’

With the mild winter, there are plenty of good reasons, and no reasonable excuses, to get outside.

Tri-Cities has lots of places to go. It is an excellent time to put on a few layers of clothes, gloves, a hat, warm socks and a pair of hiking shoes and go exploring the local trails.

Walking and hiking in winter requires a bit of extra care and preparation.

Blacktop walkways, and natural trails that are in the shade and don’t get exposed to the sun may be covered in snow or ice, so bringing a set of micro-spikes or even snowshoes may be appropriate. Hiking poles can be very helpful for staying on your feet and avoiding slips and slides.

Plan and know where you are going.

Watch your start time and think carefully about how far you are going and how long it will take. It gets dark quickly and the sun sets before 5 p.m., so bring either a headlamp of a bright flashlight in case you do end up walking in the dark.

So bundle up and enjoy the outdoors. Here are some great local options:

Chamna Natural Preserve

This dog-friendly, 276-acre park is maintained by the Tapteal Greenway Association and has over 11 miles of trails along the Yakima River with educational signs that help you navigate the trail system and identify plants and animals in the area.

Badger Mountain, Candy Mountain Preserves

Badger Mountain and Candy Mountain rise above the Tri-Cities and offer incredible views of the Columbia Basin. The combined nearly 11-mile trail system has many options of varying lengths and difficulties. Dogs are allowed as long as they are kept on leash.

Sacagawea Heritage Trail

You can hike in a loop up to 15.7 mile on both sides of the Columbia River on this mostly flat, easy, paved trail that stretches from the Richland “Y” to the blue bridge in Kennewick and back along the river through Pasco. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Johnson Butte

This four-mile gravel road is a moderately difficult hike that rises steadily to the top of the mountain to a point that’s even higher than Badger Mountain, and offers a 360-degree view. The trail starts just south of Kennewick off the east side frontage road, 1.9 miles south of the Locust Grove exit.

Bateman Island

There are 2.4 miles of open space trails on this amazing jewel right in the center of Tri-Cities on the Columbia River. The trail starts at the Wye Park parking lot right behind the informational sign off Columbia Park Trail and North Columbia Center Boulevard. Bring your binoculars and a camera because chances are good you’ll see numerous local birds and other wildlife.

Spirit of America Trail

This easy to walk flat 2.5-mile trail that’s paved in some areas and a dirt path in others, runs through the Zintel Canyon Greenway right in Kennewick in between 27th Street and Seventh Street. Parking lot at Seventh and Vancouver Street.

Leslie Groves Park

Offers 3.5 miles of paved walking along the Columbia River in Richland. In the wintertime you might find eagles fishing and resting in the trees next to the river.

WE Johnson Park

This 2.4-mile trail section known as the Duportail Trail is maintained by Tapteal Greenway and connects the Chamna Natural Preserve to Horn Rapids Park on the Yakima River.

Urban Greenway Trail

This 3.5-mile paved loop is marked by Urban Greenway Trail signs along a path that winds through various parts of the downtown area of the city of Richland, along the Columbia River, and through some small, natural areas that many people who have lived here for decades don’t even know exist. It’s a delightful walk.