Badger Flats Trail

View Trailhead Park Map Use in a larger map

This newest Badger trail starts at the parking area on the north end of Trailhead Park. Trailhead Park is at 525 Queensgate Drive in Richland. From I-182, take the Queensgate exit heading south to the light at Keene Road. Turn west on Keene Road to the signal light at Shockley Road near the Bethel Church. Turn south and follow the road up the hill. It will veer left and turn into Queensgate, follow the road up the hill past the Westcliffe pillars to the park at the top of the road. There is a parking area at the corner of Queensgate and White Bluffs or you can park along the curb near the restrooms at the park. This can get a little congested in the summer when trail use is heavy.

The New “Badger Flats” Trail Winds through the grass and sagebrush from the lower parking lot and links with the straight section along the base of Badger Mountain

The Badger Flats trail, like the other Badger trails is the result of grass roots efforts. One construction crew was from Boy Scout Troop 202 as one young man used this opportunity to do some service for his Eagle Scout Service Project (click here for more on this).  Several other Eagle Scouts also pitched in to make the Badger Flats Trail a reality.  You can see them listed in the trail sign below.  

Volunteers building the new trail

The “Flats” trail is just what it says, it is flat. It is laid out on the desert grass and sagebrush property that is to the west of Trailhead Park.
You can get on the trail at Trailhead Park or at the West side of the parking area north of Trailhead Park.

Badger Flats Trailhead Sign with the names of Several Eagle Scouts who Helped Build the Trail

This is a great trail for people who don’t feel ready for the difficulty of hiking up Badger Mountain. The trail meanders through the desert habitat. Since it is elevated you can still get a good view of the Tri-Cities area. You also get glimpses of desert wildflowers and an occasional critter or two. If you’ve been wondering about Badger Mountain but didn’t want to tackle the climb, this is the place for you. Just a quick walk with Badger rising above can give you some fresh air and maybe a way to work your way up to climbing Badger Mountain on the Sagebrush, Canyon or even Skyline trails!