Watching the wildflower season at Columbia Hills State Park is a lot like a fireworks display. It starts early, with a few little “pops” of grass widow in February when much of the state is still in the throes of winter.
The grasses grow higher and the show builds with the budding of larkspur, camas, yellow bells and hookers onion among others. The finale begins now and rolls through early June as the shrub-steppe meadows near Horsethief Butte explode with colorful blooms. Balsamroot, lupine, bitterroot, mock orange, mustard and more paint the rocky terrain in wild color.
Gather up your camera equipment and visit Columbia Hills now to take advantage of the best wildflower viewing of the season. An easy drive from Vancouver or Kennewick along the Lewis & Clark Highway (14), the park is a wonderful day trip. Take advantage of the gorge’s warm weather and hike up to the butte for a far-as-the-eye-can-see panorama of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge.
Now’s the best time to capture the colors of Columbia Hills State Park with your camera lens.
There’s plenty of fun to be had at the river’s edge, too! Trout fishing is good through June. Plus, there are paddleboats, kayaks and canoes available to rent at the park for an afternoon of play on the river and the adjacent lake. The river gorge’s constant warm air currents also make it a popular spot for parasailing and paragliding.
The park was the site of a Native American village for centuries. Petroglyphs, carved by those native peoples, are still visible in the rock faces. Lewis and Clark made camp there on their famed Corps of Discovery mission and describe the village in their journals. High on the butte above is the 1800’s-era Dalles Mountain Ranch where you can get a glimpse of what life was like for early settlers.
Step back in time at Dalles Mountain Ranch.
In this video by Bob Nisbet, take a virtual tour of the Columbia River Gorge. He identifies some of the many varieties of flowers you’ll discover on your trip to Columbia Hills State Park.
“I’m a big fan of Horsethief Butte, up above the ranch complex. Looking south from the oak woodlands…it’s just an incredible view. It’s an amazing park.”
-Ranger Andrew Kallinen
Park Hours
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
Winter: Close Nov. 1, reopens April 1
Camping:
The park offers eight partial utility sites, four standard sites, six primitive text sites, a reservable teepee, one dump station and one restroom. Be parepared for gusty conditions, as it can be very windy in the Columbia River Gorge. All campsites are first come, first served. To reserve the park’s teepee, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT.
Discover Pass:
The Discover Pass must be displayed on your vehicle when visiting Columbia Hills State Park.
Location:
Located on the Columbia River on the state’s southern border in Klickitat County.
Maps:
Want a handy trail map? Download one from the State Parks website.
Columbia Hills Trail Days begins May 4!
Find all three events in the Trail Days series on the State Parks events calendar.
Heading to Columbia Hills State Park this weekend?
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Watch a profile of Columbia Hills State Park before you go!
Visit the Washington State Parks YouTube channel for this and other park profiles.
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Photos courtesy of Tom Foster (Feature photo) and Daniel Parks (Dalles Mountain Ranch).
