The Burbank Peninsula is part of the 15,000 acres of sloughs, ponds, streams and islands that make up the McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge extends along the east bank of the Columbia River in southeastern Washington, from the confluence of the Snake River to the mouth of the Walla Walla River, and downstream into Oregon. Established in 1956, McNary NWR was created to replace wildlife habitat lost to construction of the McNary Dam downstream. The McNary Refuge supports excellent populations of migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, pelicans, raptors, a host of mammal species, and as many reptiles and amphibians as can be found anywhere in the Columbia Basin. The Burbank Peninsula is a large portion of the McNary Refuge.

The Burbank Peninsula is on the outskirts of the small town of Burbank and can be accessed by a gravel road that leads down the hill from Hanson Loop. It can also be accessed from the parking lot of the Burbank Arena. Parking at the arena and riding down the hill lengthens your ride by about two miles.