Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Washington
12

Washington State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Washington
Volcano Country Region
Horsethief Lake State Park
start slideshow
Horsethief Lake State Park Dalles Mountain Ranch © WA State Helitack
Helicopter view of the Dalles Mountain Ranch.
Horsethief Lake State Park Dalles Mountain Ranch © WA State Helitack
Helicopter view of the Dalles Mountain Ranch.
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Jim Riser
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Jim Riser
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park Horse Thief Lake © Jim Riser
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Horsethief Lake State Park © Rick Stasel
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
HORSETHIEF LAKE STATE PARK
HORSETHIEF LAKE STATE PARK
8514 Lewis Clark Highway
Lyle, Washington   98617
(lat:45.6438 lon:-121.1061) map location
Columbia Hills State Park (which includes the Horsethief Lake area and Dalles Mountain Ranch area) is a 3,338-acre camping park with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. Horsethief Butte dominates the skyline. It stands over the lake like an ancient castle. The lake itself is about 90 acres in size and is actually an impoundment of the Columbia River. The lake was flooded into existence by the reservoir created by The Dalles Dam.
Nature of the Area
The Butte and the surrounding Columbia River channel were carved out of basalt rock by floods following the last ice age. For information on the floods, visit Sun Lakes State Park and the Dry Falls Interpretive Center.

The basalt rock resulted from a series of lava flows which emerged from cracks in the earth's crust and blanketed the entire eastern Washington/Oregon region long before the coming of ice-age floods.

When viewing the cliffs along the river, notice the stratigraphy highlighted by benches rising up the cliffs. Each of these benches, or layers, represents a different lava flow. Some lava flows were hundreds of feet thick in places.

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.

Archeological sites and artifacts are protected by both federal and state laws, and their disturbance and/or removal is illegal and carries severe penalties.
History of the Area
For centuries, the park was the site of a Native American village. The Lewis and Clark expedition camped at the village and described its wooden houses in one of their journals. The village was flooded by the waters of The Dalles Dam.

Oral history states that the park received its former name -- Horsethief Lake State Park -- from workers in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who developed the site. The workers thought the terrain was similar to that of horsethief hideouts in popular 1950s Hollywood westerns. The abundance of horses kept on the premises by local Indians apparently gave the workers their inspiration.

The commission combined the park with Dalles Mountain Ranch and renamed the area Columbia Hills State Park in 2003.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
Horsethief Lake has four standard campsites, eight partial-hookup sites, four standard walk-in sites, two primitive hiker/biker sites, two rustic cabins, one dump station and one restroom. Campers should be aware that it can be very windy in the Columbia River Gorge and should be prepared for such conditions. The location on the Horsethief Lake campsites on the Columbia River means it is also close to active train tracks.
Boating
Horsethief Lake has two boat ramps one to Horsethief Lake itself and one to the Columbia River. Kayak and paddleboat rentals are offered at the lake during peak season, however, strong winds common in the area can limit rental boat 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 speed required boating activities are not allowed.


Location
Horsethief Lake State Park is located near The Dalles

Picnicking
There are 35 unsheltered picnic tables located around the day-use area. Nine braziers are available. Facilities are first-come, first-served.
Trails
1. Horsethief Butte Trail: This 2-mile loop trail offers stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge and is suitable for all skill levels.

2. Petroglyphs Loop Trail: A short, easy walk that takes you to a collection of ancient petroglyphs preserved within the park boundaries.

3. Dalles Mountain Ranch Trails: These trails offer longer hikes through rolling hills with panoramic vistas over both Washington and Oregon landscapes.

4. Crawford Oaks Hiking Area Trails: Located at the eastern end of Horsethief Lake State Park, these trails provide access to oak woodlands, grassy meadows filled with wildflowers in springtime, as well as wetland habitats along Eightmile Creek.

5. Temani Pesh-wa Interpretive Trail: An interpretative hike where visitors can learn about Native American history while enjoying scenic lake views.

6. Horsetheif Plateau Loop: It's an adventurous hiking route offering breathtaking cliffside panoramas across vast expanses.

7. East End Loops: The East End loops are perfect for those looking for shorter walks or runs around beautiful natural scenery without venturing too far into wilderness areas.

8. Little Maui Bike Path: Although primarily used by mountain bikers this path also serves hikers who want a more challenging terrain experience.

9. Columbia Hills Historical State Park Connector: Connects directly from Horse Thief Lake providing additional miles worth exploring including waterfalls and wildlife sightings.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
June 11 Needs maintenance by Dan M.
park review stars; one to five Discovered this park as a fishing venue when I lived in The Dalles a few years ago. I still come here and enjoy the trees and the water, but am disappointed now in how the place looks since the COVID scare. A real pandemic would result in EVERYTHING being shut down. Weeds in parking lot need to be removed. Discover Pass and dog leash enforcement are needed at this time also to help ensure personal safety.
October 29 Beautiful park
park review stars; one to five Visited in Oct. 2018. Had a great time exploring the Indian carvings and taking the tour. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful and helped me get settled. They also gave me information. about the camp and surrounding areas. Must come back when the spring flowers are in bloom
February 27 Great Family Fishing by Eric Nickelsen
park review stars; one to five We have been coming here for over 25 yrs for opening of trout season.Wouldnt miss it.Now our Grand kids are coming and Loving it.The Park is kept in awesome shape and the staff are very friendly.Would highly recommend to anyone.
write a review read more reviews
Share On

Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Located on the Columbia River on the state's southern border.

From Oregon: Driving east or west on I-84, take exit #87 and drive north on U.S. 197 across the Columbia River bridge. Continue north about four miles to SR 14, and turn right, heading east. The park is located at milepost-85.

From Washington: Drive east or west on SR 14 along the Columbia River. The park is located at milepost-85.

state route ranger badge
Washington
12

Washington State Parks

X