Klickitat Trail

At Klickitat State Park Trail, you’ll traverse the same grounds of an early 20th century railbed between the towns of Lyle and Goldendale in the high-desert of the Columbia River Gorge. With 31 miles of trail to explore, including pine forests of the Swale Canyon, the Klickitat River, and charming farmland, you’ll constantly be in awe along your journey. Geology buffs will delight in spotting basalt rock formations formed by ancient lava flows that covered this area millions of years ago, as well as the Klickitat River that later carved valleys through the region. This geological phenomena also resulted in mineral springs along the canyon, which Indigenous people have used for ceremonial purposes over thousands of years. In the springtime, lupine and balsamroot flowers bloom brilliantly. In the winter, the trail sparkles with snow, attracting cross-country skiers and snowshoers on the non-groomed trails. Long-distance hikers and bikers should prepare properly when embarking on the Kilickitat State Park Trail, including bringing all the proper equipment and understanding the environment.