Surrounded by rugged desert, basalt cliffs, and the refreshing Columbia River, Columbia Hills Historical State Park attracts everyone from climbers to history buffs. Campers can enjoy a cozy stay in their own tent or even rent a teepee. Travel to the Dalles Mountain Ranch for hikes through the foothills of a historic homestead ranch, then spend the afternoon splashing around in Horsethief Lake. In April and May, trails get busy as people explore the stunning explosions of wildflowers against the desert backdrop.
This park used to be a Native American village, which Lewis and Clark stayed at during their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The construction of the Dalles Dam flooded the village in 1957. Horsethief Lake is a National Historic Site with Native American petroglyphs and pictographs. You can do a self-guided tour of the Temani Pesh-Wa display or book the Tsagaglalal (She Who Watches) ranger tour of beautiful Indigenous rock art in advance.
