Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park campground
Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park
The best time to visit Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is pleasant, and the park is less crowded. During these times, campers can enjoy the park's scenic trails, such as the Horsethief Butte Trail, which leads to breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge. It is also worth mentioning that the park organizes guided hikes to ancient Native American petroglyphs, adding a historical and cultural aspect to the camping experience.
While planning a trip to Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park, it is important to be aware of potential dangers such as rattlesnakes and poison oak. Visitors should take necessary precautions and be cautious when exploring the area. It is advisable to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, carry insect repellent, and stay on designated trails. By following these guidelines, campers can fully enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities provided by this remarkable camping area in Washington state.
What's on-site at Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Celilo | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Turkey Hole - Wdfw | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Turkey Hole Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Deschutes River State Rec Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia River At The Dalles | 237,000 cfs | → |
| Klickitat River Near Pitt | 1,180 cfs | → |
| Deschutes River At Moody | 3,940 cfs | → |
| Mosier Creek Near Mosier | 3 cfs | → |
| Hood River At Tucker Bridge | 466 cfs | → |
| White Salmon River Near Underwood | 971 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowden | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Hood River | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Indian Rock | 0.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Indian Rock | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Greenpoint | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Fifteenmile Snotel | 0.0 in | -255.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Horsethief Lake State Park
- Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve
- Mayer State Park
- Sorosis Park
- Celilo Park
- Lyle Park
Boat launches
- Lewis And Clark Trail Highway Dallesport
- Spearfish Park
- Avery Park
- Old Ferry Road 455, Dallesport
- Heritage Landing
- Rowena Ferry Road 6539-6599, Mosier
Points of interest
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park
Can I make reservations at Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park.