Battle Ground Lake State Park

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Battle Ground Lake State Park

Phone: (360) 687-4621
City: Battle Ground
Address:
18002 N.E. 249th St.,
Battle Ground, WA

Located 21 miles northeast of Vancouver, Wash., on the state's western side in Clark County.
This park offers five miles of horse trails and a primitive equestrian camping area. The spring-fed lake is stocked with trout and is a favorite of anglers. The lake is said to be a "miniature version" of Oregon's Crater Lake.

    Park Overview

    Battle Ground Lake State Park is a camping park with 280 acres of beautiful, forested land in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The lake itself is of volcanic origin and is considered to be a smaller version of Crater Lake in Oregon.

    Marine Park: No
    Popular Destination

    Park Hours

    Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
    Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

    The park is open year round for camping and day use.

    Camping:
    Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
    Check-out time, 1 p.m.
    Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.


    Significant History

    This area was named for a battle that settlers at Fort Vancouver expected to happen in 1855 between U.S. Army soldiers and some Klickitat Indians. The battle never occurred.

    Captain Strong, the post commander, allowed some Indians to leave the fort on the promise that they would return after burying their chief, who had been accidently killed. Most fort residents believed a battle would ensue to get the Indians to return, and therefore dubbed the spot "Strong's Battle Ground." The Indians, 1 to their word, returned peacefully, but the name took hold. Later the area was simply referred to as "Battle Ground."

    Major Landmarks

    The park is largely evergreen forest with trails around the lake. Annual average rainfall is 35 inches. The lake's origin is volcanic, and is believed to have been formed as a "Maar" volcano. This type of volcano is the result of hot lava or magma pushing up near the surface of the earth and then coming into contact with underground water. This is thought to have resulted in a large steam explosion, leaving a crater that later formed a lake.

    Notable Buildings

    Convenience camping structures:

    -Four cabins are reservable year-round. Each sleeps five and is equipped with heat and lights, bunk-beds, a futon bed, a picnic table and a porch with a grill. A utility hookup and water are outside, and restrooms with showers are nearby. Bring your own bedding. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

    Interpretive Oportunities

    An interpretive program is offered every Saturday from mid-June through Labor Day. This evening program includes night sky interpretation with a telescope, slide shows and guest speakers. There is a self-guided nature trail in the park.

    Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map, or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.


    [[Google map coming soon.]]

    Directions

    Park address:
    18002 N.E. 249th St.
    Battle Ground, WA 98604

    From I-5 northbound or southbound:
    Take exit #11 and drive east to Battle Ground. On the east end of town, turn left on N.E. Grace Ave. (just in front of a Foodliner Grocery). Follow the signs to the park, approximately three miles from the city of Battle Ground.
    MammalsBirdsFish & Sea LifePlantlife
    Chipmunks
    Coyotes
    Deer/Elk
    Foxes
    Rabbits
    Raccoons
    Skunks
    Squirrels
    Crows/Ravens
    Ducks
    Geese
    Hawks
    Herons
    Jays
    Osprey
    Owls
    Woodpeckers
    Bass
    Catfish
    Trout
    Cedar
    Douglas Fir
    Hemlocks
    Alders
    Apple Trees
    Cherry Trees
    Maple Trees
    Oak Trees
    Daisies
    Lupines
    Berries
    Ferns
    Moss or Lichens
    Thistle
    GeneralTrailsFreshwater ActivitiesSaltwater Activities
    Swimming
    Bird Watching
    Wildlife Viewing
    Mountain Biking
    Interpretive
    1 Baseball Field
    1 Softball Field
    1 Badmitton Area
    1 Volleyball Field
    2 Horseshoe Pits
    1 Fire Circle
    5 mi. of Horse Trails
    5 mi. of Biking Trailer
    10 mi. of Hiking Trails
    Boating - Nonmotorized
    Fishing
    1 Boat Ramp
    60 ft. of Dock
    Scuba Diving
    Swim Area Restriction: Children under the age of four are not allowed in the swim area.

    The sports field has room for soccer but no goal posts. There are movable poles for badminton or volleyball. Groups provide net and ball or shuttlecock.

    The park does not have designated bike trails. Mountain bikers may use horse trails as long as they yield to horse riders.

    Picnic Notes

    Two kitchen shelters without electricity are available first come, first served year-round. Each accommodates about 20 people. There are 70 unsheltered picnic tables. The day-use restroom is ADA-compliant.

    One kitchen shelter with electricity is reservable. The facility accommodates 20 to 150 people. Fees vary, based on size of the group. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

    Group Camping

    Group camp has four adirondack (three-sided) shelters that each sleep eight people. The camp offers a covered cooking and meeting area, a group fire ring, room for 32 people in tents and two vault toilets. Due to a small, unlevel parking area, RVs are not allowed in this camp. There is a minimum group size of 25 people. For year-round reservations, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

    A horse camp is available by reservation. Occupancy is four families. Horse camp includes four two-stall corrals or eight small corrals, one vault toilet, two fire rings and four picnic tables. There is a minimum group size of 10. To reserve the horse camp, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.

    Boating/Water Notes

    A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 may be purchased at the park.

    Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
    Park ServicesArea Services
    Camping
    Store
    Pay Phone
    Wood
    4 Horse Stables
    Auto Repair
    Camping Area
    Diesel
    Fishing and Hunting Supplies
    Gasolene
    Gifts
    Golfing
    Groceries
    Hardware
    Pay Phones
    US Mail
    Propane
    Recreational Equipment
    White Gas
    Wood
    4 Horse Stables
    The park store is a privately operated concession. It offers burgers, fries, ice, firewood, fishing supplies, soft drinks and candy. The store has game horseshoes available for rent and is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.