Burn Ban - Level 1

Fires allowed in all designated fire pits and grills. Propane and gas grills allowed.

Overlook viewing a majestic bluff with blue river below, orange bluffs and green pines
Historical marker with information on Horsethief Butte
Sign with interpretive information the Columbia Hills Gorge
outcropping of rocks with native petroglyphs where indigenous peoples once lived lived
large outcrop of rocks and a bluff in a grassy meadow with blue skies

Columbia Hills Historical State Park

8514 Lewis and Clark Highway, Lyle, WA 98617

Columbia Hills Historical State Park is wide open acres of stunning shrub-steppe beauty. This 3,600-acre park is composed of 4 different sites: Horsethief Lake, Horsethief Butte, Crawford Oaks Trailhead and Dalles Mountain Ranch Trailhead. Sweeping high desert panoramas and river shoreline provide plentiful climbing, biking and horseback riding opportunities. Boat, windsurf or dive into history with the regional geological features or a tour of the Native American petroglyphs located at the park.

Rules

  • Dogs Allowed on Leash
  • Fires Allowed in Designated Areas

Some rattlesnakes live in the area but encounters with them are rare. The bullsnake is more common. Its color and markings are similar to the rattlesnake's, but they do not have rattles and are not venomous.

To protect park resources, pets are not permitted on The Tsagaglalal ("She Who Watches") trail or tour. 

Park conditions are often extremely windy.

Metal detecting is not allowed.

Drones are not allowed.

Activities

Biking

Bird Watching

Boating

Camping

Fishing

Hiking, Walking, Rolling and Running

Horseback Riding

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Kayaking

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Paddleboarding

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Rock Climbing

Swimming

Amenities

Automated Pay Station

Drinking Water

Fire Pit

Restrooms

Showers

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Boat Ramp

Picnic Tables

Parking

Horseshoe Pits

Interpretive Opportunities

Bike Trails

Hiking Trails

Park features

Field

Freshwater

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Lake

Mountain View

River

Seasonal Wildflowers

Viewpoint

Wildlife Viewing

Rules

  • Dogs Allowed on Leash
  • Fires Allowed in Designated Areas

Some rattlesnakes live in the area but encounters with them are rare. The bullsnake is more common. Its color and markings are similar to the rattlesnake's, but they do not have rattles and are not venomous.

To protect park resources, pets are not permitted on The Tsagaglalal ("She Who Watches") trail or tour. 

Park conditions are often extremely windy.

Metal detecting is not allowed.

Drones are not allowed.

Map & visitor guide

45.643000922418, -121.10343466333

Entrance points

There are four access points for the park. They are:

Day use facilities

Thirty-five unsheltered picnic tables are located around the day use area at Horsethief Lake and nine braziers are available. Facilities are first-come, first-served. 

Climbing

Columbia Hills is home to Horsethief Butte, a favorite among climbers of all abilities. This area also offers a short hike where you can take in sweeping views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood. Two areas are signed "no climbing" for cultural resource protection. Climbers are directed to limit their use of chalk when climbing at the butte.

Hiking

North of State Route 14, Crawford Oaks and Dalles Mountain Ranch Trailheads offers access to miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails that crisscross the Columbia Hills, with astounding views of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson and the Columbia River Gorge. In the springtime, the hills are dotted with colorful wildflowers, especially arrow-leaf balsam root and lupine. 

About seven miles of hiking trails are available from the Crawford Oaks and Dalles Mountain Ranch trailheads. A shorter hike is available from Horsethief Butte

Historic features

Horsethief Lake is listed on the National Register of historic places and a monument overlooks the lake. Dalles Mountain Ranch is listed on the Washington State Register of Historic Places and interpretive signs are posted around the ranch complex.

Camping

Tent and RV campsites are available at Horsethief Lake. There are four standard campsites, eight partial hookup sites, four standard walk-in sites and two primitive hiker/biker sites.

Wind and noise advisory

It can be very windy in the Columbia River Gorge and you should arrive prepared for such conditions. The location of the Horsethief Lake campsites on the Columbia River means it is also close to active train tracks. Be aware that trains pass along the edge of the park throughout the day and night.

Boating

Horsethief Lake offers a watercraft launch, stand up paddle board and kayak rentals. It also has two boat ramps one at Horsethief Lake and one at the Columbia River. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are offered at the lake during peak season, however, strong winds common in the area can limit boat rental availability.  

Horsethief Lake is the only lake entirely within a Washington State Park that allows motorized boats. Due to its small size, there is a 5 mph speed limit and waterskiing/wake boarding and similar activities requiring a speedboat are not allowed. 
 

Native American pictographs & petroglyphs


Horsethief Lake section of Columbia Hills Historical State Park is a National Historic Site. Go on a self-guided petroglyph and pictograph viewing at the Temani Pesh-Wa display which is open during daylight hours April-Oct. This display is not part of the She Who Watches tour.

Guided tours of the significant Tsagaglalal ("She Who Watches"), are available only at 9 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays from April - Oct. Tours are limited to 20 people, and each party must register and receive a confirmation email. To make a reservation, visit the Friends of Gorge Area Parks website. Pets are not allowed on this tour. This area is otherwise closed to the public. It is advisable to reserve several weeks in advance as tours fill up fast. Please click in your confirmation email to cancel reservations if you cannot make it to open up spots for others wishing to reserve.

For large educational or tour groups of 20-40, call the park office at (509) 773-3145, and press option 7, at least a month in advance. Please leave a detailed message with your name, phone number, email, party size, and the requested dates for Fri/Sat 9 a.m.  This area is otherwise closed to the public. Staff strive to respond to messages as promptly as possible but may take a few days to reply. Large group tours are not guaranteed and are dependent on demand and staff availability. Do not come for a tour without making a reservation and receiving confirmation. For directions and additional information on the pictograph/petroglyph tour, visit https://parks.state.wa.us/FAQ.aspx?TID=25

Wildflower season (April-May)

Crawford Oaks, Dalles Mountain Ranch & Horsethief Butte trailheads can be crowded on the weekends during peak wildflower season. We recommend you visit during the weekday for more solitude and enjoyment of the scenic beauty.

Additional information

Horsethief Lake has large and shady grassy lawns make for great croquet, soccer or other activities. Horseshoe pits are provided; please bring your own horseshoes.

The lake is open for fishing the fourth Saturday of the month from April - Oct. 31. Anglers should consult Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations to confirm the dates.

A lakeside gazebo is available for rent at Horsethief Lake.