Columbia Hills Historical State Park campground
State Park ~2 hr 45 min from Seattle

Columbia Hills Historical State Park

Intimate Columbia Gorge park with 8 water & electric RV sites, world-class windsurfing, ancient Native American petroglyphs, and Horsethief Lake.

RV Sites
8
total sites
Max Length
60 ft
water & electric
Hookups
Water + Electric
water & electric
Surface
Gravel
site surface
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump in town
Reservation
6 mo.
books out fast
Why Visit

Columbia Hills Historical State Park

Columbia Hills Historical State Park combines outdoor adventure and cultural history on the Washington shore of the Columbia River Gorge. Eight RV sites with water and electric hookups sit on level gravel pads with easy maneuvering, plus tent camping, cabins, and traditional teepee rentals. Ancient petroglyphs and a tribal rock-art site are the cultural centerpiece. The Columbia River Gorge wind makes this campground a top destination for windsurfers and kiteboarders. Note: frequent trains run along the river at all hours.

85 WA-14, Lyle, WA 98635
~2 hr 45 min from Seattle (165 mi)
Online reservation · Reserving 6 months in advance
Discover Pass required
Campground Specs

Details that matter for your rig

Maneuverability
Challenging
Tight loops — plan your approach
Cell Coverage
Spotty
Download maps before you go
Generators
Allowed
No generator restrictions
Site Surface
Gravel
Check conditions at check-in
Dump Station
Not available
Nearest dump station in town
Hookups
Water + Electric
Water & electric at site
Things to Do

Activities at Columbia Hills Historical State Park

🥾 Hiking 🎣 Fishing 🏊 Swimming 🚣 Kayaking 🏖️ Beach ⛵ Boating 🛝 Playground

On-site & nearby activities

  • Native American petroglyphs and rock art tour
  • Horsethief Lake fishing and kayaking
  • Columbia River windsurfing and kiteboarding
  • Columbia River boat ramp access
  • Tomáth interpretive trail (petroglyphs, 1 mi)
  • Bald eagle and osprey watching
State Park

Washington State Parks — built for exploration

Columbia Hills Historical State Park preserves the Tsagaglalal ('She Who Watches') petroglyph site — one of the most significant Native American rock art sites in the Pacific Northwest, where a carved face on a basalt cliff has watched over the Columbia River for millennia. The park sits above the Columbia River Gorge where the river emerges from the Cascade Range into the arid Columbia Plateau, and the basalt canyon walls on both sides of the river host golden eagle and prairie falcon nesting colonies on the cliff ledges. Horsethief Lake within the park occupies a natural Columbia River oxbow that provides sheltered habitat for migratory waterfowl and is recognized as one of the best birding locations on the Washington side of the Columbia Gorge.

Facilities

What's on-site

🚻
Toilets
Flush toilets
🚿
Showers
Available
💧
Drinking Water
Available
🔥
Fire Pits
Every site
Flush toilets, showers, and drinking water are all on site. Every site includes a fire pit.
Insider Knowledge

Site recommendations from the field

Sourced from first-hand visits, park ranger notes, and RV community reports. Updated when conditions change.

🗺️

Very small campground (12 sites) with a primitive character. Sites near Horsethief Lake offer the best views. This park is primarily a destination for the Tsagaglalal ('She Who Watches') rock art tour — reserve the guided tour separately and well in advance, as it fills quickly. Wind in the Columbia Gorge can be strong; bring adequate shelter. Best visited in spring when wildflowers are in bloom.

Logistics

Nearest services

📍 Nearest TownLyle, WA
⛽ Gas Station8 mi
🛒 Grocery Store25 mi
🏪 Costco35 mi
☕ Starbucks25 mi
🏕️ Nearest State Park10 mi

Stock up in Lyle, WA before heading out — services get limited near the campground.

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Ready to book?

Ready to book Columbia Hills Historical State Park?

Check availability online. Reserving 6 months in advance.

Reserve a Site
Information sourced from official park agencies and publicly available data. Conditions, fees, and availability change — verify details directly with the campground before your visit.