Chamna Natural Preserve — Attraction in Richland

Great place to experience some nature without having to drive for hours out of town. Easily accessible from the Shelter Belt, so traveling there by bicycle from just about anywhere in Richland is a breeze. Or you can drive there and park in the parking lot if you're one of THOSE people. Good for mountain bikes, or just taking a stroll. No complaints about the trails, no garbage. It's just overall a good little area.

The terrain is somewhat varied, and so you can either head out to the desert throughout the northern half, take a walk in the woods closer to the river to the south, or slog through the swamps to the east. The trails stay relatively dry most of the time, but the swampier parts can get a bit hard to navigate right after it rains. Also, the southernmost trail becomes an overgrown jungle in the spring and summer, so be warned if you want to go that way.

10/10 would...

Pleasant enough free walking trails with occasional shade and a couple viewing spots along the river. Beware of the plethora of spiders lining many parts of the trail, it's a bit unnerving, do not leave the trail and remember to duck. Also, at the time of writing, there are probably hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of beetles crawling around underfoot. They are harmless, but many of the spiders are not. There is a parking lot with ample space and a portable toilet is available in the lot. I usually don't mind bugs, and would even hold some of them, but this trail in absolutely infested to the point where it's uncomfortable to walk (as seen in July/August) Otherwise, it's a nice trail and I'll try visiting in a...

Wanted to have a nice simple walk with the dogs. I'd never been on this trail before & it stayed off pretty. There's much greenery and pathways towards the river. But holy moly, it is infested with ticks. My poor dog was not ready for it. And neither were we. I advise you not to take your pups. By the time we made our way back to the lot. I was running because the anxiety I experienced with the ticks was insane. There was no getting away from them, even I had ticks crawling on me.

There was trash all over, nats, spiders you name it. Will not be...