A Guide to Badger Mountain

Scale to majestic heights at Badger Mountain—the highest peak in the Tri-Cities.

Location & Parking

Badger Mountain Trails

What to Bring

FAQs

Badger Mountain offers a complete outdoor adventure. As you explore its trails, you’ll be stepping on land shaped millions of years ago. Believe it or not, during the last ice age, the mountain was an island, towering above a primordial body of water. Today, it’s a popular destination for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, with stunning views of Richland’s vast landscape. Get ready to explore Badger Mountain with our guide, designed to help you prepare for an unforgettable journey.

Surface Elevation

The highest point of Badger Mountain is 1,593 feet (486 meters) above sea level.

Climate

Badger Mountain is located in the rain shadow area of the Cascade Mountains, resulting in a semi-arid climate with temperate winters and warmer summers. For live information about current weather conditions around the Tri-Cities, explore our forecast guide.

Hikers enjoy Badger Mountain with their dogs, about half-way up the main trail.

Jim Langdon

Badger Mountain Trailhead Location

1294 White Bluffs St, Richland, WA 99352

Parking

There is a public Badger Mountain parking space at 1288 White Bluffs St, Richland, WA 99352.

Badger Mountain Trails

Easy

Badger Flats Trail - This hiking route is 0.6 miles and is the perfect beginner-friendly hike, featuring a gentle 30-foot elevation gain through open sagebrush and grasses.
Sagebrush Trail - The 1.8-mile roundtrip trail offers an elevation gain of 500 feet on a wide and smooth gravel path.

Moderate

Skyline Trail - The Skyline route is 5.8 miles and travels the ridgeline towards the summit of the mountain. As you travel along the trail, you’ll find a monument showcasing the tallest height of Lake Lewis from the floods of the last ice age.
Canyon Trail - This 3.25-mile path involves steep terrain and features picturesque sights of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers, as well as Mount Rainier and Mount Adams in the distance.
Langdon Trail - Located above an apple orchard, this 6.0-mile, roundtrip trail can be accessed via a junction with the Skyline Trail on the western side, or the Skyline and Sagebrush Trail in the eastern area of the mountain.

What to Bring

Prepare for your outdoor trip by bringing plenty of essentials, including water, hiking shoes, a map, a compass, a first-aid kit, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for the weather. Search for your outdoor attire with our shopping guide.