The Hanford Reach National Monument: 57,000-acres of wilderness, history, and nuclear reactors, in Washington State. The monument is an area of diametrically opposed climates and ruins that provide visitors with a variety of unique sights and hiking, fishing, and hunting opportunities as well as a museum highlighting the history of the area.

History

Wanapum ancestors such as the Yakama Nation used the area for resources and hunting, before the arrival of European settlers. During WWII, plutonium reactors were built, nine in total. These reactors were some of the first ever built in the world and provided plutonium and local energy. Due to the proximity to the nuclear reactors, the land remained unused and became classified as an “involuntary park.” Hanford Reach became instrumental in activities in both World War II and the Cold War.

In 2000, it was protected by the Antiquities Act. The land designated a protected area was marked from an area that served as security buffer around the Hanford Site. In addition to this, the protected monument area includes the Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, which still exists as its own entity but now a part of the greater Hanford Reach National Monument. As of the declaration, conservationists began disassembling the plutonium reactors in efforts to cleanse the land.

Permanent Habitats and Attractions

Hanford Reach National Monument is a landscape with both river and desert and lots of wildlife including protected species. It is a large, flat area swept with desert and punctured by river, in places lush with flower and elsewhere barren and cold. The area is the site of the first and eight more nuclear reactors, now discontinued. Visitors can see the contrast between industrial history and natural wonder in hiking areas sparse with facilities and amenities, or spend their time in the museum, learning about the natural and societal history of the area.

Hanford Reach Interpretive Center – The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center is a large and fully featured museum built as a complement to the monument and at the southeastern edge of its acreage. It serves as a visitor’s center for the monument, and the most modern source of amenities in an otherwise untamed wilderness. It provides many attractions on its own, so much so that visitors could spend their entire time solely at the museum:

- Gallery One – The “REACH Museum” has four permanent galleries. Gallery One features collections and exhibits related to conservation of the lands around the Reach, including the monument itself. It also teaches about flora and fauna and the four seasons and how they affect the area. Native American items are on display from those who once dwelt there.

- Gallery Two – Gallery Two focuses on the historic significance of the Hanford Reach National Monument. Its display on The Manhattan Project demonstrates the history and science behind the first atomic bomb, “Fat Boy,” and the plant that produced its fueling plutonium. The Cold War shows America and the Tri-Cities during this time, their development and their efforts in the war.

- Grand Hall – A large hall of vaulted ceilings, the Grand Hall showcases exhibits on energy development throughout the years. Information focuses on conservation and environmental friendliness. Technology showcased includes hydropower, irrigation maps, nuclear energy, and wind power. There is also an exhibit demonstrating the flooding of the Red Mountains during the Ice Age, a reshaping event that led to the formation of the area that became the nearby vineyards. Throughout the Grand Hall are videos showcasing how conservators engage in their vital efforts across the land.

- Outdoor Gallery – With animal trails, fountains, and art pieces, the Outdoor Gallery will give visitors plenty to look at. The Solar Stage is a massive sundial and art piece, and irrigation artwork and a bus from the Cold War are all on display. An unfocused collection of historic or culturally significant pieces that don’t fit anywhere else.

- Rotating Gallery – There is one rotating gallery in the museum. Exhibits change out at regular intervals, so visitors will always have the opportunity to see something new.

Habitats – The Hanford Reach National Monument is a dichotomy of two distinct types of habitats. Flora and fauna vary between these, and visitors will want to be prepared for these two radically different areas.

- Riverlands - Islands, gravel bars, riffles, backwater sloughs and oxbow ponds provide support for forty-three fish species along the Columbia River. Chinook salmon are fishable, but there are also federally protected species. Along the riverlands can be found elk and mule deer that are trophy quality. This area is ideal for boating, fishing, and hunting, depending on the season. There are 13 boat launches to access the Monument by the river, and the river can rise and fall rapidly, making this stretch of the river a potential challenge for boaters.

- Desert – The desert land supports forty-two mammals. Mice, coyotes, skunks, mule deer, beavers, cougars, minks, and badgers can all be seen here.

- Other Areas – Along the Columbia River Corridor, there are other areas that can be accessed: McGee Ranch, Vernita Bridge, and the Wahluke Slope. Some campgrounds are accessible by road, and some are not.

Hanford Nuclear Reservation – This is the original Hanford Site and the site of B Reactor, the planet's first full nuclear reactor. B Reactor was constructed over 13 months during WWII. The Hanford Nuclear Reservation is attached to Manhattan Project National Historical Park, with public tours available.

Research Opportunities – A large untamed land full of conservation opportunities, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can issue permits for research, photography, and contribution to the preservation efforts in areas that are otherwise restricted.

Educational Opportunities

The Hanford Reach National Monument is primarily untamed wildland with the remnants of unused nuclear power plants. Educational opportunities in the greater park area would involve local scheduled field trips. Guided tours of the museum or of the greater wilderness area can be scheduled by local companies for visitors to enjoy. These include wine making tours, Cold War tours, guided hikes, and more. Hikes and tours change from season to season but are always on offer at the REACH Museum. The museum cooperates with local schools to schedule field trips and virtual tours of the museum.

The Mini Mobile Museum, called “REACH into the Classroom,” is a featured educational opportunity. It is a travelling museum that offers interaction, guided presentations and exhibits. Educators can schedule visits to their schools nearby to give children the opportunity to learn without needing to schedule a field trip to the museum. Teachers can book this exhibit and order specific arrangements of display. Geological displays on offer involve classifying and cataloguing rocks, looking at Pleistocene and ice age fossils, and examining how soil transports nutrients. Biological displays can involve desert or river plants and animals and may include life cycle, food webs, and evolution. Teachers can additionally request historical displays involving the first plutonium reactors, World War 2 or the Cold War.

Special Events

The Seasons – As a wilderness area known for its hunting and fishing, it is important to choose the right season to enjoy the monument. Spring fills the monument with wildflowers, turns the hills green and the deserts white, purple, and yellow, and swarms the area with nesting birds. Hanford serves as rest stop for snow geese and cranes, among others, making for a special sight. In Summer, the heat gets up to 100 degrees and it is in danger of wildfires. During this time animal activity will be found around the river as well as hidden springs and small streams. When Fall comes around, visitors can see elk and deer on land and encounter salmon in the river, where fishing is at its prime. Winters are moderate but blanket the landscape in a picturesque quiet.

REACH Museum Events – The REACH Museum observes national and local holidays and holds regular seminars and workshops. Interested parties are free to ask about booking the museum for their own special events, including lectures, dinners, high school events, fundraisers, birthday parties, and weddings. The Grand Hall has a Multi-Purpose Room for up to 160 people, with a 5,000 square feet patio alongside an amphitheater that seats 500.

Dining and Shopping

Dining and shopping opportunities for the Hanford Reach National Monument are available in the nearby cities. The monument itself is not developed, with exception to the museum, and does not have much in the way of amenities across its vast landscape. Within the nearby cities of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland and West Richland, and Benton City, visitors can experience a variety of local restaurants and sample many different cuisines. Small stores whose shopkeepers benefit from the nearby tourism offer hand-crafted souvenirs, apparel, and jewelry.

Hanford Reach National Monument, Burbank, Washington, Phone: 509-546-8300