Burn Ban - Level 1
Fires allowed in all designated fire pits and grills. Propane and gas grills allowed.
Part of the Park is Closed
Start Date:
End Date:
The Dalles Mt trailhead will be closed for the remainder of November and possibly into December 2023. Parking lot is closed to visitors due to cattle grazing to reduce wildland fire fuels. Dogs must remain on leash. Visitors may park off the road near trail crossing to access the upper loop. Please be sure to close the gates behind you when entering or leaving the trail.
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
Interpretive Activities
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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
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:
- Horsethief Lake
8514 Lewis & Clark Highway
Lyle, WA 98617
Google maps directions - Horsethief Butte
8620 Lewis & Clark Highway
Lyle, WA
Google maps directions - Crawford Oaks Trailhead
8731 Lewis & Clark Highway
Lyle, WA
Google maps directions - Dalles Mountain Ranch
1885 Dalles Mountain Rd
Lyle, WA
Google maps directions
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.
Guided tours of the significant Tsagaglalal ("She Who Watches"), are available 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.
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.
