Hanford Reach National Monument

We want to you come and enjoy the Monument, but we do have some rules—rules designed to protect wildlife, the fragile habitats, cultural resources, and other visitor's experiences.

Access:

• General access is sunrise to sunset.
• Access to the White Bluffs Boat Launch is from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.
• There is no camping, overnight parking, or any other night time use allowed, with the exception of early/late access for hunting.
• Hunting access is from 1-1/2 hours before legal hunting time to 1-1/2 hours after legal hunting time.

Bicycles:

• Bicycles, including mountain bikes, are considered vehicles by federal statute and follow the same posted restrictions.
• Off-road use is strictly prohibited; bicycles are not allowed on trails or to travel cross-country.
• Bicycles are allowed on the paved road between the locked gates at Ringold and the White Bluffs Overlook.
• Bicycles are also allowed to travel from the parking lot for the WB-10 Ponds to the ponds on the existing road only.

Collecting:

• All collecting is prohibited, including antlers, bones, rocks, artifacts and plant life.
• Disturbing plant life and all digging are prohibited.
• Only virtual geocaching is allowed.

Dogs & Pets:

• Dogs and horses are the only animals allowed on the Monument (excluding assistance animals).
• Dogs must be leashed at all times, with the exception of hunting dogs within season.
• Horses are limited to parking lots and roads open to the public.
• No dog training is allowed.

Firearms:

• Per Department of Energy regulations, only those firearms used for that particular hunting season are allowed. During hunting season, those that are allowed must be cased and/or dismantled when not in use.
• Handguns, modern rifles, airguns (e.g., BB and pellet guns), etc., are not allowed anywhere on the Monument at any time.
• No target practice, skeet shooting, or sighting in of firearms is allowed.

Fires:

• Open fires (camping or cooking) are not permitted on the Monument at any time.

Fishing:

• Please consult the Washington State fishing pamphlet for limits, seasons, and other information.
• Fishing is allowed only on the River, Ringold, and Wahluke (East) Units.

Hiking:

• Hiking is allowed on all roads in open areas of the Monument.
• Hiking cross-country is allowed only on the Wahluke and Ringold Units.

Horseback Riding:

• Horseback riding is allowed only on roads within areas open to public access (Ringold, Saddle Mountain, Wahluke East Units).

Hunting:

• Waterfowl (duck, goose and coot), dove, snipe, deer, elk, and upland gamebird hunting are permitted on the refuge during the regular Washington hunting seasons in specific public hunting areas designated on the refuge map.
• Please consult the Washington State pamphlet for bag limits and general information.
• The digging of waterfowl hunting pits, and the collecting/cutting of vegetation for camouflaging of waterfowl hunting pits, is prohibited.
• Non-toxic shot is required for ALL bird hunting (upland and waterfowl) on the Monument.
• No trapping of any kind is allowed on the Hanford Reach National Monument.
• For the current regulations related to hunting on the Hanford Reach National Monument, please visit www.fws.gov/mcriver/.

Islands:

• The federally owned islands are closed to public access above the ordinary high water mark.
• None of the Monument islands are open to big game hunting. Waterfowl hunting is only allowed below the ordinary high water mark and only those islands downstream of the wooden powerline crossing north of the Ringold area.

Motorized Vehicles:

• Motorized vehicles are allowed only on roads open to public travel.

Paragliding:

• Hang-gliding and paragliding are prohibited, as are remote-controlled model airplanes.

Unmanned Aircraft & Drones:

• The use of unmanned aircraft or drones on the refuge is prohibited.