Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Washington, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This trail is trying its best. It does have its bad moments, like being poorly marked and running alongside a busy road. We all have our faults. I appreciate the quirks and under rated ship yard, and industry views. Take the good with the bad, and set your biases aside and enjoy the down to earth, no fuss no muss trail.
I really love the trail. Well maintained and great countryside views
We were blown away by how nice this trail is and all the fall colors still are popping. You might want to keep an eye out for horse poop piles hidden in the leaves, and was fun to see mixed use of this trail. I would have expected more people on this trail and will be back to section ride this trail to the coast.
Rainbow falls state park was a great spot to rehydrate and refuel before riding back. Take time to find paths to view the falls.
Overall, this trail was in great condition and a flat trail. Be mindful of the gaps between the gravel and bridges. I ended up breaking a spoke on this ride.
Nice flat well-maintained gravel Trail. Beautiful scenery in the fall. Only went from Sedro-Woolley to Lyman. Plan to do the upper half from Lyman to concrete later this fall.
Paved portion of the Willapa Hills Trail is short, 5 1/2 miles, narrow and not well maintained. There are spots where it is so overgrown that it would be tight for passing.
There is one short switch-back, and one short steep section but otherwise very doable for anyone.
Trail was pretty on either side of the switchbacks, but I will Never do the 80 ft up gravel switchbacks again. Old lady pushing rad bike, huffy and puffing isn’t pretty. Next time we’ll go to the Alice Lake trailhead.
This is one of our weekly rides and we love to combine it with the South End Trail giving you a 15 mile round trip ride. Start at Bloedel Donovan Park and take the train just over the highway 5 overpass. Make a left on Lincoln and take to Kentucky. When you get to the high school, stay to the left and catch the bike path heading towards Railroad Ave. Railroad Ave will dead end at the South End Trail taking you to the square in Fairhaven.
We were able to ride the Curlew Lake section as well as the section north of the town of Curlew toward Danville for about 7 miles along the Kettle River. The trail crews have done an excellent job with maintaining the surface in these areas. We spoke with a volunteer who said the bridges for the washouts will be installed this Fall allowing more of the trail to be accessible again. There’s a dedicated crew of people who maintain this trail yearly. Well worth a trip to this part of the state to enjoy this hidden gem. Fall colors are glorious or a Spring ride along the shores of the flowing Kettle River make this a worthy multi season destination. The volunteers of Ferry County are proud of their trail and hope more folks will enjoy what they have tirelessly worked to create. tththihibeautiful scenic trail. We’ve been on it three times over the past few years
Richland Riverfront Trail
I live in Kennewick and ride the Richland Riverfront Trail several times a week. I usually get to the trail by using the Sacagawea Heritage Trail or the Keene Road Trail (see my report on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail where I discuss the interconnecting of the trails in the Tri Cities area.. The Richland Riverfront Trail is an out and back trail of approximately 7 miles in each direction. There are several trailheads in the area but the major ones with parking for more than a couple of cars are as follows:
Columbia Point Marina Park
Bradley Boulevard
-North end of Condos
Howard Amon Park
- Richland Community Center
- Lee Boulevard
- Newton Street
- Boat launch Facility
Leslie Groves Park
- River Road
- Newcomer Street
- Park Road
- Saint Street
- Snyder Street
Although this trail is located in the center of a metropolitan area you are on a paved trail or when on a street or road traffic is light, there is no water or restroom facilities available on the trail north of Leslie Groves Park so plan accordingly. Although not a major problem, the Tri-Cities does have a homeless problem and it is not unusual to see one or two sleeping on one of the benches along the trail, I have no knowledge of any problems related to these people. Restrooms are available in Columbia Point Marina Park, Howard Amon Park, and Leslie Groves Park (there are no restrooms north of Snyder Street).
I will start the narrative from Columbia Point Marina Park and detail the entire trail. I will point out facilities close to the trail where you can get food, drinks, or points which may be of interest. Trail markings are few, however since the trail is continuous from one end to the other with the exception of one area where you have to travel on a residential street which has signs marking the bike route they are not a problem like on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. As there are several hotels along the trail and a popular area for locals to walk it can be crowded for a cyclist so I will detail some of the detours you can take to miss the congestion if it is present
The Trail
Begin at Columbia Point Marina Park, there is plenty of parking here, unless they are using it for the annual boat show or one of the bass tournaments. The trial actually starts at the end of Columbia Point Drive at the river. The trail runs north along the river side of the park and continues towards the boat launch facility. There is a restroom next to the boat launch facility and on the other side of the boat ramp are three restaurants for those that are hungry, these art not fast food but middle to upper scale facilities. If you’re looking for something lighter or not so fancy you can head back up Columbia Point Drive to the shopping mall at George Washington Way. There are other food facilities just off the trail through central Richland. Most users bypass this short section of trail in the park and begin their trip on the western side of the boat ramp where the trail leaves the parking lot. Overall this section of trail is fairly wide and pedestrians and cyclist coexist with no problems, however, the first few feet of the path from the boat ramp is narrow and a curve so you need to take it easy until you get to the top of the incline and make the right turn.
This section of the trail has benches for resting or taking in the views. On your right is the piers associated with the boat launch facility and a little further the piers where boats are permanently moored. On you left will be two of the restaurants and two hotels followed by several waterfront condominiums. At the end of the second hotel the trail turns ninety degrees to the left and the corner is somewhat blind and you need to be careful here. After the last condominium you will come to the Bradley trailhead on your left with river views to your right and a vacant lot on your left. The pavement in this area is not broken or damaged but has several rises and falls which can be a little unsettling if not aware of them. At the end of the vacant lot the trail turns to the left and passes another hotel. The trail follows the shoreline of the river and after a short distance make a turn to the right, caution the foliage along the river makes this a blind corner so be prepared to be face to face with a pedestrian or another cyclist. A very short straight section and you make a turn to the right and then after a couple hundred feet another somewhat blind turn to the left as you pass another group of condominiums. After passing the last condominium you pass yet another hotel and the trail narrows somewhat while transiting this area, after passing the hotel the trail widens and you have now entered Howard Amon Park.
On the left will be the Richland Community Center with its parking lot. The park contains several covered pavilions with tables and other amenities for use by the public. As you reach Lee Boulevard on your right will be a pier at which you may find the paddle wheel Mississippi style riverboat which ply's the Columbia and Snake rivers from Lewiston, Idaho to Astoria, Oregon with a stop in Richland. Parking is available on Lee Boulevard and in a lot to the north of Lee Boulevard between the park and George Washington Way. There is a restroom facility on Lee Boulevard next tot he tennis courts. If you continue west on Lee Boulevard and cross George Washington Way the next street you come to is The Parkway which has several small restaurants, one of which is Frost Me Sweet Bakery and Deli which has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network. Also you will find Greenies bicycle shop.
At this point the trail along the river narrows and it can become cumbersome to travel on a bike if there are pedestrians present, a usable detour is to travel up Lee Boulevard and turn right onto Amon Park Drive. If you plan on continuing on the trail next to the river skip to the next paragraph. As you travel through the parking lot on your left will be Northwest Paddleboarding where you can rent paddleboards and kayaks, take paddleboard lessons or a paddleboard tour. At the north end of the parking lot Amon Park Drive turns to the right and then back to the left to parallel the river and trail which are a short distance on your right while on your left will be another hotel. As you reach Newton Street on your left will be a restaurant and on your right will be a restroom facility. Continue on Amon Park Drive until you reach the parking lot at its end, the trail exits from the northwest corner of the lot and proceeds up onto a levee section of the trail.
For those who choose to continue on the trail from Lee Boulevard you will find benches and other amenities along the trail. There is a restroom adjacent to the small parking lot located at Newton Street. Proceed north until you reach the boat launch facility and turn right across the ramp and continue around the east side of the parking lot on the trail and continue up onto the levee section of the trail.
As you climb up onto the levee there is another hotel on your left, once on the top of the levee section of trail you will notice a path bearing to your left and back down the levee towards George Washington Way. At the bottom of the path on the left is a new building which houses a winery and Porter’s BBQ which has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. This section of the trail which is on the levee is one of my least favorite sections due to the buckling of the asphalt pavement. Somebody has painted lines around most of the bad spots but it is wearing off and either needs to be reapplied or repairs made to the trail. If the trail is crowded or you want to miss some of the bumps you can take the next path to the left down to Harris Avenue, turn right on Harris Avenue and parallel the levee north. The first street on your right will be River Road, turn onto River Road and once over the top of the levee turn left into the parking lot. If you stayed on the top of the levee when you reach River Road turn right before the vertical railroad tracks stuck in the ground. This is the beginning of Leslie Groves Park which has a unique path system ,which most users honor, the path closest to the river is for pedestrians while the path slightly inland is for cyclists. If on a bike turn left where the railroad track is missing and into the parking lot. Just ahead between the parking lot and the pedestrian section of the trail will be a restroom facility. Where Howard Amon Park was all grass like your lawn many areas of Leslie Groves Park are natural foliage. The cycle trail transitions from the parking lot to a trail at the north end of the parking lot, marked by two large boulders spaced wider apart than the rest of the smaller boulders. Both trails continue north within a few yards of each other and at times are separated by trees or other foliage. Eventually you will reach Newcomer Street which has a small parking lot for trail access. Continuing north you will reach the more developed portion of Leslie Groves Park, on your right you will find sand volleyball courts and a sandy beach which is used for swimming, CAUTION NO LIFEGUARD, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. On your left will be the south end of the parking lot located at Park Street, near this area there are two pavilions with tables and a restroom facility.
Continuing north the trails continue on to Saint Street where there is a large parking lot. The pedestrian route continues north along the river where you will find tennis courts on your left along with another pavilion. Cyclists have a decision to make here as the trail between Saint Street and Snyder Street is rather rough from tree roots causing the pavement to buckle, if you decide to stay on the path cross the west end of the parking lot and continue on the path with the tennis courts on your right. If you decide to bypass this rough section jog slightly to your left and continue north on Harris Avenue. Harris Avenue has no businesses on it and is only residential so traffic is minimal or non-existent plus it is a fairly wide street. At Snyder Street turn to the right towards the river and pick up the trail on your left.
At Snyder Street the pedestrian and cycle trails merge back together and in the boat launch parking lot near the trail you will find the last restroom facility as you head north on the trail. The portion of the trail north of Snyder Street is designated as the North Leslie grove Natural Area and as such is covered in vegetation natural to the area. The trail continues north through this area until it turns to the left up a short incline onto Ferry Road for a short distance until you reach Harris Avenue. Turn right onto Harris avenue and continue north until you reach Sprout Road. Across Sprout Road will be Washing State University, Tri-Cities Campus, you will turn right on Sprout Road and at the end of the street pick up the trail which immediately turn left as you enter it and then down a short downhill followed by an equal uphill section with the river on your right and the university campus on your left.
Other than the landscaped areas of the university this section of the trail in a natural habitat and you can expect to see wildlife native to the area, this includes rabbits and the occasional snake. More than once between the university and USS TRITON Park I have been startled by a rabbit dashing across the path mere inches in front of my recumbent trike. After leaving the university campus behind you merge onto Waterfront drive for a short stretch until the path picks up on the right side as the pavement ends for Waterfront Drive, stay to the right of the line of boulders. After passing a picnic table on your right the path takes a mild bend to the left and appears to go straight with a branch going to the right. Turn right as the straight section ends in a very short distance. Go up the slight incline past a couple of roadside tables and find yourself approaching some riverfront homes. It has recently been announced that the area to your right and immediately west of these homes will be developed into a higher end luxury apartment complex.
After passing the last of these homes you will climb a short rise and approach a pavilion on your right which has a table. From this pavilion you will be able to overlook the Columbia River and the Port of Benton barge slip which services the Hanford Site (formally Hanford Nuclear Reservation). If you look off to the northwest from this location you can visually follow the trail and see the sail from USS TRITON at the top of the bluff. From this pavilion it is a short ride up the hill to finally arrive at USS TRITON park. USS TRITON park is a very small park with parking for ten cars and a space just slightly larger than the sail itself.
USS TRITON Park
USS TRITON was a first generation nuclear powered submarine of the US Navy (fourth hull design, eighth boat built) which during her short career made history by becoming the first submarine to circumnavigate the Earth while submerged. The course generally followed that of the first circumnavigation of the world led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan from 1519 to 1522. TRITON was originally designed as a radar picket but quickly outdated with the US Navy’s acquisition of carrier based early warning radar aircraft. TRITON was commissioned on 10 November 1959 and decommissioned on 3 May 1969 when her design made her no longer viable as a fleet asset. She was towed from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, Virginia) to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton, Washington) in 1993 to await her turn in the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. Triton began the recycling program in 2007 and completed the recycling in 2009.
The recycling process removes all hazardous material whether chemical, mineral, or nuclear and disposes/contains it while parts of the vessel such as steel which can be recycled is sent to the appropriate facility for reuse. The reactor is highly contaminated and during the recycling process it is removed and encapsulated in suitable containers for long term storage, these containers are then transported to the Hanford Site where they are placed in long term storage. During the recycling process the sail was removed as a single unit and placed on a barge and towed from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard out to the Pacific Ocean and up the Columbia River to the Port of Benton Barge slip where it was offloaded by the cranes you see and transported by the multiple-wheel high-capacity trailers you see adjacent to the park, up the hill to its present location where it was mounted to its current location. There is a sign on one side of the sail which instructs ou haw to arrange for a tour inside the sail if you desire to do so.
USS TRITON park commemorates not only USS TRITON but all of the nuclear powered ships and submarines who have undergone the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program whose reactors have been sealed during the recycling and placed on barges to take the same voyage as USS TRITON’s sail. Upon their arrival at the Hanford Site they were offloaded and transported to their burial location.
Return is a reversal of your north bound journey. I hope you enjoy this trail as much as I do, other than the bad areas of pavement this is a great trail. I ride thirteen miles to ride this trail and thirteen miles back home, the ride is worth it.
Great easy run walk trail with beautiful scenery. Good for the whole family!
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