The park contains Native American pictographs (paintings) and petroglyphs (carvings). Some of the oldest pictographs in the Northwest are found in this park. Artifacts associated with local tribes can be seen at the nearby Maryhill Museum of Art and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.

Lupine and balsam root bloom in mid-April making spectacular fields of purple and gold. Rock climbing is possible in this park.

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.

Horsethief Butte rising above Horsethief Lake

How to get there:

From Oregon, from I-84 take Exit #87/Highway 197 north (The Dalles Dam bridge). Cross the Columbia River and continue about two miles to WA Hwy 14. and turn right, heading east. Turn right on WA Hwy 14 and drive about a mile to milepost #85 where the park entrance is on your right/south.

From Washington, drive east or west on WA Hwy 14 along the Columbia River. The park is located at milepost #85 on the south side of WA Hwy 14.