Explore A Wildlife Refuge, Nuclear Site, And Washington's Sand Dunes In One Day When You Visit This Unique Park In Washington
By Andrea Verschuyl|Published February 02, 2024
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Having grown up in Washington, Andrea is a self-admitted Pacific Northwest snob. In their opinion, there's simply nowhere else in the country with the Evergreen State's beauty. After attending university, Andrea devoted themselves to writing full-time. They're thrilled to represent Washington for Only In Your State while pursuing other professional and personal projects. They currently reside in Olympia, where they enjoy leaf-blowing their yard, perfecting homemade ramen, cuddling with their three tiny dogs, and feeding their pufferfish, Sea Biscuit.
The Evergreen State is brimming with stunning natural areas, but what if there was one spot Washingtonians could go to enjoy it all? Few destinations come as close to covering all the bases as Hanford Reach National Monument. This hub of outdoor adventure in Washington isn’t just a gateway to experiencing some of our state’s rarest biomes. It’s also an area steeped in fascinating— and relatively unknown— history.
You'll find Hanford Reach National Monument in central Washington, just east of beautiful Yakima. It's part of the Columbia River Plateau, formed millions of years ago from a flow of basalt lava. These dramatic beginnings translated into a rugged landscape that's utterly unique, drawing 60,000 visitors annually.
Most preserves with Hanford's beauty see more tourism. One factor that could keep the monument's crowds low is the region's participation in the nation's Manhattan Project. There's a total of nine reactors at Hanford, and though they've been out of operation since 1968, the land's controversial history may give some potential visitors pause.
But I'd encourage fence-sitters to take the plunge and visit. True, Hanford is considered the most polluted place in the country. Some even think it may be the most polluted spot in the world. That said, it's safe to visit certain areas, and the curious-minded can book tours hosted by the US Department of Energy.
Not many people think of dunes when they think of Washington State, but this one-of-a-kind landscape is entirely natural. These sand and silt deposits were originally the work of the Missoula Floods. In the thousands of years that followed, gusts of wind maintained the region's striking terrain.
And though the region is certainly arid, receiving only five to ten inches of precipitation each year, this desert abuts one of Washington's most iconic rivers: the Columbia.
The Evergreen State is jam-packed with natural beauty. If you can’t pick where you’d like to go for your next excursion, visit Hanford Reach National Monument. This stunning hub of outdoor adventure in Washington is rich in jaw-dropping scenery and hair-raising history.
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