NPS/Zimmerman During World War II, the top-secret Manhattan Project sites maintained high levels of security. That legacy continues today on the Hanford site. Nearly all of the park’s historic properties are located “behind the fence” on secure federal Department of Energy reservations. Public access is only permitted though a Pre-WWII Historic Facilities Public Tour facilitated by the US Department of Energy. On this tour, you learn about the resilient indigenous and farming communities displaced by the arrival of the Manhattan Project in eastern Washington. Looking for B Reactor tour information? The B Reactor is closed to public access while the DOE replaces the roof and completes other important historic preservation work on the reactor. The Pre-WWII Historic Facilities tours make a brief stop outside the construction zone at the B Reactor to provide you an opportunity to see the reactor from a distance. You can take a virtual tour of the B Reactor as well as the T-Plant for an immersive learning experience. You may also learn more about the places on the Hanford site and in the Tri-Cities that played an important role in the Manhattan Project. If you are looking to expand your visit in the Tri-Cities, download the NPS app to access self-guided tours, things to do, and places to see in the area and discover this history hidden in plain sight. |
Last updated: April 17, 2025