Tri-Cities, Washington, is an outdoor recreational paradise thanks to the region’s more than 300 days of sunshine and endless open spaces. The Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers that wind through the community offer opportunities for water skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, boating and more. Land explorers meander through Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve and Chamna Natural Preserve or wander through the vineyards in the Heart of Washington Wine Country. The more adventurous head out to White Bluffs for a more challenging summit and are rewarded breathtaking views of the Hanford Reach National Monument and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.
Though the Tri-Cities has long been an outdoor enthusiast’s best-kept secret, the area has a steadily growing reputation for all things outdoors, which includes being a premier southeastern Washington cycling destination. Free from urban congestion with paved paths, rugged trails, and country roads winding throughout the region, the Tri-Cities offers experiences for cyclists of every level and interest.
The Sacagawea Heritage Trail, one of the most popular biking paths, is a 23-mile paved loop along the shorelines of the Columbia River. Families enjoy cruising portions of the trail with access to multiple parks and kid-friendly amenities, while avid cyclists can ride the entire loop for an additional challenge. Mountain bikers enjoy trails winding through the Chamna Natural Preserve along the Yakima River with frequent wildlife sightings. The State Patrol Trails offer a more challenging singletrack trail network through the area’s shrub-steppe habitat. To request a map featuring the area’s biking trails and courses, call Visit Tri-Cities at (800) 254-5824 or online here.
Cycling Events in the Tri-Cities
The Tri-Cities region also hosts some of the most exciting cycling events in eastern Washington.
Ride the Reactor (October 7, 2017)
A unique cycling experience at the formerly top-secret B Reactor National Historic Landmark in the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, the ride follows an approximately 15-miles course beginning and ending at the B Reactor. Registration is limited and fees will be donated to support operations and projects of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. To register, visit www.visittri-cities.com/ridethereactor/
The Inland Empire Century (May 2018)
One of the longest-running rides in the Tri-Cities region, choose between a 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile cycling course starting in Columbia Park and into orchards, vineyards, and other agricultural landscapes throughout the Tri-Cities region. For more information, visit https://www.inlandempirecentury.com/.
For more information about outdoor activities in the Tri-Cities region, visit www.VisitTRI-CITIES.com. // (Sponsored Post)
