The best traffic-free bike rides in Badger Mountain Natural Preserve

There are 4 dedicated no-traffic touring cycling routes available in Badger Mountain Natural Preserve. These routes offer a mix of easy and challenging options, allowing you to explore the diverse landscapes of the preserve.

For beginners, routes like the Columbia Point Marina Park loop from Richland (8.3 km) or the Columbia Point Marina Park – Riverfront Trail loop from Bradley at River's Edge (15 km) are excellent choices. These routes are rated as easy and provide a gentle introduction to touring cycling in the area, often featuring crushed rock surfaces suitable for touring bikes with wider tires.

Yes, experienced touring cyclists looking for a challenge can tackle the Badger Mountain – View of Badger Mountain loop from Columbia River Washington Temple. This route is rated as difficult, covering over 21 km with significant elevation changes, offering rewarding panoramic views.

The routes offer breathtaking vistas of the Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco), the expansive Columbia Basin, and the Yakima River Valley. On clear days, you might even spot the distant peaks of Mount Rainier, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams. The landscape is characterized by arid sagebrush steppe and open dryland grass slopes.

While cycling, you'll experience the unique arid sagebrush steppe and may spot native plants and wildflowers, especially from February through October. Key trails like the Sagebrush Trail and Langdon Trail are part of the preserve's network, offering scenic views. The Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve itself is a highlight, providing expansive viewpoints.

Badger Mountain Natural Preserve is open year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures for cycling, with wildflowers blooming from February through October. Even in winter, the preserve provides a contrasting experience to snowy regions, making it accessible for cycling.

The preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including coyotes, ground squirrels, quail, hawks, horned lizards, rattlesnakes, desert bighorn sheep, black-tailed jackrabbits, and mule deer. Always maintain a respectful distance and observe wildlife from afar.

Yes, many of the touring cycling routes in Badger Mountain Natural Preserve are designed as loops. For example, the Riverfront Trail – Columbia Point Marina Park loop from Leslie Groves Park Open Space is a longer circular option, perfect for enjoying the scenery without repeating sections.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from 84 ratings. Reviewers often praise the stunning panoramic views, the well-maintained crushed rock trails like the Sagebrush and Langdon Trails, and the peaceful, traffic-free environment that allows for immersive nature experiences.

The multi-use, crushed rock-based trails like the Sagebrush and Langdon Trails are ideal for leisure riding. Touring cyclists equipped with bikes that have wider, more robust tires, such as gravel bikes or traditional touring bikes with appropriate tire choices, will find these paths most suitable. The wide paths ensure ample room for passing other users.

While the preserve itself is a natural area, the routes are located near the Tri-Cities (Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco), where you can find various cafes, restaurants, and accommodation options to support your touring cycling adventure.