Located where the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers converge, Pasco is considered the gateway to the agriculturally rich Columbia Basin. This bucolic area of Washington is bolstered by the irrigation systems that the Grand Coulee Dam in northern Washington provides. Outdoor activities compliment the pastoral landscape, with opportunities for everything from windsurfing to golfing to wine tours. Several parks exist within close proximity to Pasco, offering picnic spots and walking trails. The nearby McNary National Wildlife Refuge is a preserve that provides birdwatching opportunities from a deck and from behind a blind, an option that allows for excellent photographic possibilities. Pasco is also conveniently located about 1 mi (1.6 km) from the city of Kennewick, making it an ideal home base when exploring both cities. The area's only bus and train stations and regional airport are also found in Pasco, making it the transportation hub for this part of the state.