Hanford Reach National Monument

The Hanford Reach National Monument is a national monument in the U.S. state of Washington. It was created in 2000, mostly from the former security buffer surrounding the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The area has been untouched by development or agriculture since 1943.

For this reason, it is considered an involuntary park. The monument is named after the Hanford Reach, the last non-tidal, free-flowing section of the Columbia River in the United States, and is one of eight national monuments administered by the U. S.

Fish and Wildlife Service; part of the monument within the Hanford Site is also managed by the Department of Energy. President Bill Clinton established the monument by presidential decree in 2000. In May 2017, the Interior Department announced that Hanford Reach was one of 27 national monuments under review for possible rescinding of their designation.

Ancestors of the Wanapum People, Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation and the Nez Perce used the land for hunting and resource collecting.

Hanford Reach National Monument occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a National Monument in Washington, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Hanford Reach National Monument into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

• Hikes — short loops, half-day trails, and backcountry routes
• Camping — drive-in campgrounds, RV sites, and backcountry permits
• Nearby attractions — gateway towns and adjacent public lands
• Visitor tips — timing, fees, weather, and what to skip

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	National Monument
State	Washington
Entrance fee	Typically free or under $10 per person. Confirm at park entrance.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.