Battle Ground Lake State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	Clark County, Washington, United States
Nearest city	Battle Ground, Washington
Area	275 acres (111 ha)
Elevation	509 ft (155 m)
Designation	Washington state park
Established	1966
Administrator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Battle Ground Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake
Aerial view of the lake and park
Location	Clark County, Washington
Surface elevation	509 feet (155 m)
Formed by	Magma induced steam explosion
Geology	Maar
Volcanic field	Boring Lava Field

Battle Ground Lake State Park is a cool place to visit in Washington. It's a large public park, about 275 acres big. You can find it about 3 miles northeast of Battle Ground, Washington. The park is full of tall evergreen trees. At its center is a special lake. This lake was formed by a volcano! The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission takes care of the park.

How Battle Ground Lake Was Formed

Battle Ground Lake State Park sits on top of an old volcano. About 105,000 years ago, hot melted rock (called magma) caused a huge steam explosion. This explosion created a big, bean-shaped hole in the ground. Scientists call this type of crater a maar. Over time, this large crater filled up with water. That's how Battle Ground Lake was born! This volcano is part of a larger area called the Boring Lava Field.

Before it became a state park, the lake was a popular resort. In the 1920s, people planned to add dance halls and swimming pools. The state of Washington bought the land in 1965. It officially became a state park in 1966.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Battle Ground Lake State Park offers many activities for visitors. You can go for a swim in the lake. There's also a boat launch if you want to bring your own boat. If you like camping, the park has a campground. You can even rent cabins for a cozy stay.

There are trails for hiking and even for riding horses. These trails go around the lake and up to the top of the old volcano. If you enjoy fishing, you're in luck! The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and coastal cutthroat trout. You might also find largemouth bass and crappie. Trout fishing is very popular, especially when the season opens.