How to Stay Safe From Rattlesnakes in Tri-Cities

It's snake season season and in Tri-Cities, we have them. One of my biggest fears is encountering a rattlesnake.

How Common Are Rattlesnakes in Tri-Cities?

According to the Washington Poison Center, 11 rattlesnake bites have been reported this year. In Washington, rattlesnakes are most active from April through October. Most bites occur between April and August.

Rattlesnakes Strike Only If They Perceive an Immediate Threat

The Western rattlesnake is the only venemous snake native to Washington. According to Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, most bites occur when someone steps on a snake, or reaches into brush without looking.

Because the area has dry sagebrush, rocky hillsides, rivers, and abundant rodents, snakes love slithering around Eastern Washington. Places you may encounter snakes in Tri-Cities include:

• Candy Mountain
• Badger Mountain
• Horse Heaven Hills
• Hanford Reach
• Columbia River trails
• Irrigation canals
• Rock piles and abandoned structures

Staying Safe From Rattlesnakes While Hiking in Washington

a large snake is curled up on the ground — Photo by Simoné Stander on Unsplash

• Stay on established trails
• Watch where you place your hands and feet
• Wear closed-toe shoes or boots
• Keep dogs on a leash
• If you see a rattlesnake, stay several feet away

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ALWAYS stay on the path or trail. Don't explore. Stay safe.

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