Columbia Hills State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Columbia Hills State Park
Small waterfall at the park
Columbia Hills State Park Location in Washington (state)
Location	Klickitat, Washington, United States
Area	3,338 acres (13.51 km2)
Established	2003
Operator	Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Website	Columbia Hills State Park

Columbia Hills State Park is a fun place to visit in Washington. It's a state park located about 6 miles (10 km) east of Dallesport. You can find it along SR 14 in Klickitat County.

This park is quite large, covering 3,338 acres (about 13.5 square kilometers). It sits right next to Horsethief Lake, which is a part of the mighty Columbia River. Columbia Hills State Park was created in 2003. It was formed when two older parks, Horsethief Lake State Park and Dalles Mountain Ranch, joined together.

What Can You Do at Columbia Hills State Park?

There are many exciting things to do at Columbia Hills State Park! It's a great spot for outdoor adventures.

• You can go camping and spend a night under the stars.
• Boating on Horsethief Lake is a popular activity.
• Enjoy a meal outdoors by picnicking with your family and friends.
• If you like fishing, you can try your luck catching fish in the lake.
• On warm days, you can go swimming to cool off.
• The lake is also a fantastic place for windsurfing, especially when the wind is just right.
• For those who love heights, there's rock climbing available.
• If you enjoy exploring, you can go hiking on the park's 12 miles (19 km) of trails.

Ancient Art: Petroglyphs

One of the most special things about Columbia Hills State Park is its collection of petroglyphs. These are ancient carvings made by Native American people on rocks. They tell stories and show images from long ago.

These amazing rock carvings were moved to the park to keep them safe. They were saved from being covered by water when the Dalles Dam was built nearby. It's like a outdoor museum where you can see art from thousands of years ago!