columbia_hills_state_park

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Columbia Hills State Park

Phone: (509) 767-1159
City: Dallesport
Address:
Po Box 426,
Mp 85 State Route 14,
Dallesport, WA

Located on the Columbia River on the state's southern border in Klickitat County.
Lupine and balsam root bloom in mid-April making spectacular fields of purple and gold. Rock climbing is possible in this park.

    Park Overview

    Columbia Hills State Park (which includes the Horsethief Lake area and Dalles Mountain Ranch area) is a 3,338-acre camping park with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. Horsethief Butte dominates the skyline. It stands over the lake like an ancient castle. The lake itself is about 90 acres in size and is actually an impoundment of the Columbia River. The lake was flooded into existence by the reservoir created by The Dalles Dam.


    Marine Park: No

    Park Hours

    Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
    Winter: Closed Nov. 1, reopens March 31

    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

    For centuries, the park was the site of a Native American village. The Lewis and Clark expedition camped at the village and described its wooden houses in one of their journals. The village was flooded by the waters of The Dalles Dam.

    Oral history states that the park received its former name -- Horsethief Lake State Park -- from workers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who developed the site. The workers thought the terrain was similar to that of horsethief hideouts in popular 1950s Hollywood westerns. The abundance of horses kept on the premises by local Indians apparently gave the workers their inspiration.

    The commission combined the park with Dalles Mountain Ranch and renamed the area Columbia Hills State Park in 2003.

    Major Landmarks

    The Butte and the surrounding Columbia River channel were carved out of basalt rock by floods following the last ice age. For information on the floods, visit Sun Lakes State Park and the Dry Falls Interpretive Center.

    The basalt rock resulted from a series of lava flows which emerged from cracks in the earth's crust and blanketed the entire eastern Washington/Oregon region long before the coming of ice-age floods.

    When viewing the cliffs along the river, notice the stratigraphy highlighted by benches rising up the cliffs. Each of these benches, or layers, represents a different lava flow. Some lava flows were hundreds of feet thick in places.

    Interpretive Oportunities

    Horsethief Lake section of the Columbia Hills State Park is a National Historic Site. Guided tours of the pictographs and petroglyphs (Indian rock art) 10 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, April to October. Reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the park office at (509) 767-1159. If you reach the answering machine, leave a detailed message with your party size, the dates you have in mind, and your name and phone number. If a ranger does not return your call, call the office again. Do not come for a tour without verbally confirming with a ranger that your reservation has been made. It is advisable to reserve at least two or three weeks in advance, as tours are limited to 25 people and fill up fast. To ensure your desired dates, please call as far in advance as possible.

    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:
    Milepost 85 State Route 14
    Dallesport, WA 98617

    From Oregon:
    Driving east or west on I-84, take exit #87 and drive north on U.S. 197 across the Columbia River bridge. Continue north about 2.5 miles to SR 14, and turn right, heading east. The park is located at milepost-85.

    From Washington:
    Drive east or west on SR 14 along the Columbia River. The park is located at milepost-85.
    MammalsBirdsFish & Sea LifePlantlife
    Bobcats
    Coyotes
    Deer/Elk
    Foxes
    Marmots
    Raccoons
    Skunks
    Chukar
    Crows/Ravens
    Dove/Pigeon
    Ducks
    Eagles
    Geese
    Gulls
    Hawks
    Herons
    Humming Birds
    Jays
    Osprey
    Owls
    Pheasant
    Quail
    Woodpeckers
    Wrens
    Bass
    Catfish
    Crappie
    Perch
    Trout
    Walleye
    Ponderosa Pine
    Maple Trees
    Oak Trees
    Poplars
    Lupines
    Moss or Lichens
    Thistle
    Poison Oak
    GeneralTrailsFreshwater ActivitiesSaltwater Activities
    Swimming
    Bird Watching
    Wildlife Viewing
    Rock Climbing
    Interpretive
    Sailboarding
    1 Horseshoe Pit
    12.4 mi. of Hiking Trails
    Boating - Nonmotorized
    Fishing
    2 Boat Ramps
    Large shady, grassy lawns are suitable for croquet, soccer, etc. Visitors must bring their own equipment. No horseshoes are provided for the horseshoe pits.

    Consult fishing regulations for season information.

    This is a fair location for beginning windsurfers who can get high-wind experience without the risks associated with river currents and barge traffic.

    The lake is usually open for fishing the last Saturday in April through October 31. Fishermen should consult regulations to be sure of the dates.

    Horsethief Butte is a very popular rock-climbing location. Two areas are signed "no climbing" for cultural resource protection. NOTE: Climbers are directed to limit their use of chalk when climbing at the butte.

    Be aware that park conditions are often extremely windy.

    Some rattlesnakes live in the area, but they are fairly rare. The bullsnake is more common. Its color and markings are similar to a rattlesnake's, but they don't have rattles and they are not venomous.

    Watch out for poison oak in the rock climbing areas of the butte. They appear as woody shrubs along the base of some rockwalls. When foliated they have glossy leaves in groups of three and little round white berries.

    Spring is tick season. Ticks vary in color from brown to green. Be sure to check for ticks when hiking the guided tour or visiting undeveloped areas.

    Archeological sites and artifacts are protected by both federal and state laws, and their disturbance and/or removal is illegal and carries severe penalties.

    Picnic Notes

    There are 35 unsheltered picnic tables located around the day-use area. Nine braziers are available. Facilities are first come, first served.

    Boating/Water Notes

    Watercraft launch reopens April 1.

    The park has two boat ramps. Motorized boats are permitted on the lake, but the county has posted a speed limit of 5 m.p.h. for the entire lake.

    A daily permit is available for watercraft launching and trailer dumping at the park for $5.
    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
    Pay Phone
    Auto Repair
    Airport
    Camping Area
    Diesel
    Fishing and Hunting Supplies
    Gasolene
    Gifts
    Golfing
    Groceries
    Hardware
    Hospital
    Overnight Accomodations
    Pay Phones
    US Mail
    Propane
    Recreational Equipment
    White Gas
    Wood
    Most services are available within 20 miles of the park.