Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve park
Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve
One of the main points of interest in Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve is the Petroglyphs, which are ancient rock carvings that date back to over 10,000 years ago. These carvings are a fascinating glimpse into the history of the area and are well worth a visit. Other notable points of interest include the Horsethief Butte, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, and the Dalles Mountain Ranch, which is a historic ranch that dates back to the 1800s.
With its diverse range of habitats, Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, coyotes, and eagles. Visitors to the preserve can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and photography.
The best time of year to visit Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve is in the spring and early summer, when the wildflowers are in full bloom. During this time, the hillsides are covered in a rainbow of colors, making for a truly stunning sight. However, the preserve is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing throughout the year.
Overall, Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in hiking, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. With its stunning landscapes, fascinating history, and diverse range of habitats, this preserve is sure to impress visitors of all ages.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit 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.
| 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.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Rec Area- Columbia River Gorge | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Columbia Hills (Horsethief Lake) State Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Celilo | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Deschutes River State Rec Area | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| D1.93r | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Turkey Hole - Wdfw | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve
What can I do at Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve?
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 park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve.