Hanford: Join a Ranger Program

Ranger programs are a great way to learn about the Manhattan Project.

NPS/ZIMMERMAN

 

Visit Hanford

• More Hanford
• Go to Visitor Centers
• Tour Behind the Fence
• Explore Museums
• Have Family Fun
• Enjoy the Outdoors

Park rangers at Hanford lead programs in the Tri-Cities throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Learn about early settlers in the area, the science and people behind the massive top-secret Manhattan Project, the lasting legacies of the project, and so much more. Visit historic community places in the Tri-Cities and join rangers for a variety of fun and informative programs suitable for all ages.  

Learn more about the ranger programs offered in the Tri-Cities below. More specific details will be provided in the calendar as they become available.

 

NPS/Zimmerman

Hike Through Time

Manhattan Project Rangers host a free guided, 3.6-mile (5.8 km) round-trip hike up Candy Mountain twice a year. This hike will take you through time starting with the Native peoples who have lived here since time immemorial. As we make our way up Candy Mountain, we will delve into the stories of early explorers and settlers. Approaching the peak, we will touch on the impact of the Manhattan Project on the area and its inhabitants. After reaching the peak, we will learn about the lasting legacies of these stories.
As information is available, details will be posted to our event calendar.

• When: This program will typically be offered on a Saturday in May and October each year.
• Route: This is a moderate 3.6-mile (5.8 km) hike to the top of Candy Mountain. Hikers will gain 555 feet (170 m) of elevation going up to the top.
• Reservations: No advance reservations required or accepted. Groups are welcome. If your group is larger than 15, please e-mail us in advance of the program.
• Accessibility

 

A walking tour stops in what is now called Howard Amon Park.

NPS/Zimmerman

Hanford Walking Tours

#1: Not so Secret City

Learn about the farming community that was here before the Manhattan Project, and how this rural farming hamlet transformed into a bustling community of atomic workers and their families. We will walk through the heart of downtown Richland where families went about their daily activities and built a sense of community while living in this almost secret city.

• When: This program will typically be offered starting in May. As information is available, details will be posted to our event calendar.
• Route: Expect to walk about 1.5 miles (2.41 km) on a mostly flat surface with several gentle inclines on sidewalks or paved surfaces.
• Reservations: No advance reservations required or accepted. Groups are welcome. If your group is larger than 15, please e-mail us in advance of the program.
• Accessibility

#2: Life in Richland: Hanford Workers & Their Families

Join a ranger on this guided walk around the neighborhoods near the Uptown Shopping Center. Learn about daily life in Richland and the homes, shopping districts, and green spaces built for Manhattan Project workers and their families during WWII.

• When: This program will typically be offered starting in May. As information is available, details will be posted to our event calendar.
• Route: Expect to walk about 2.5 miles (4 km) on a mostly flat surface with several gentle inclines on sidewalks or paved surfaces.
• Reservations: No advance reservations required or accepted. Groups are welcome. If your group is larger than 15, please e-mail us in advance of the program.
• Accessibility: This walking tour may not be suitable for individuals who use mobility assistance devices such as scooters or walkers. Read more about accessibility.

 

NPS/Burghart

Ride with a Ranger

Manhattan Project National Historical Park partners with the REACH Museum and Bike Tri-Cities, to host Ride with a Ranger twice a year. This is an interpretive bike ride along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail to the the REACH Museum where participants have the opportunity to attend a ranger program about the Manhattan Project at Hanford, enjoy hands-on activities, walk the Energy Northwest Animal Trail, and explore indoor museum exhibits.

• When: This program will typically be offered once in the spring and fall. As information is available, details will be posted to our event calendar.
• Route: The spring route is a 17-mile (27.36 km) round trip ride from Leslie Groves Park along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail, on city streets through the Richland Parkway.
• Reservations: Registration is required to participate in this event. "Walk up" participation is not allowed. Event registration is available on the Bike Tri-Cities website starting a couple weeks prior to the event and closing a couple days before the event. Groups are limited to 8 participants. If your group is larger than 8, please e-mail us in advance.

• Accessibility: The Sacagawea Heritage Trail is paved, mostly flat, well-marked, and away from public roadways. Visitors can walk, run, bike or wheel on this trail. Read more about accessibility.

 

NPS/Burghart

Junior Ranger Park Explorers

Manhattan Project National Historical Park rangers and REACH Museum educators partner up to bring Junior Ranger Park Explorer programs to different neighborhood parks in Richland throughout the summer. This series of free programs engages families and children of all ages in activities that explore Richland’s nature and history at different parks. Children can earn a special junior ranger pin by attending at least two of the three programs and completing the corresponding activities in the Junior Ranger Park Explorer Book.

• When: These programs will be offered once a month in June, July, and August. As information is available, details will be posted to our event calendar.
• Location: Locations are at different City of Richland parks for each event.
• Reservations: No advance reservations required or accepted. Groups are welcome. If your group is larger than 15, please e-mail us in advance of the program.

• Accessibility: City of Richland parks are typically grassy and may have uneven surfaces. Read more about accessibility.

 

 

Accessibility

Sign language interpreters are available for ranger programs with two weeks advance notice. This procedure is required because we contract for this service.

Assistive listening headsets that amplify the ranger’s voice are available for up to five people per program.

For more information and to request either of these services, please e-mail us.