Free Guide to

Northwest Camping

 

Horsethief Lake State Park

Campground Description:  This Washington State Park is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers and operated by the State of Washington.  The park offers a total of 3,338-acres with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River.  Within the park is Horsethief Lake, the RV campground and the tent campground, a day use area and a special display of numerous petroglyphs (Indian rock art).  Two boat launches are available as is a fish cleaning station.  Several hiking trails are available and rock climbing is a popular activity on the basalt bluffs to the West of the park.  The city of The Dalles is only 6 miles Southwest of Horsethief Lake State Park.  The Dalles offers many good restaurants as well as many shopping opportunities.  The park is open April through October.  Reservations are not available.  All campsites are on a first come first served basis.

Number of Sites:  18

Electricity:  Yes at sites 1-8

Water:  Yes at sites 1-8

Sewer:  No

Waste Water Dump Station:  Yes

Directions:  Interstate 84 Westbound or Eastbound - Drive to exit 87, the Highway 197 exit.  Travel North and cross the bridge into Washington.  Follow Highway 197 for 3.4 miles to State Route 14 (SR14).  At SR14, turn right (East) and follow for  1.5 miles to the entrance to the park.  State Route 14 Westbound or Eastbound - Follow State Highway 14 (SR14) to (roughly) milepost 85.  The entrance to the park is on the South side of SR14.

Fishing:  Horsethief Lake is usually open for fishing the last Saturday in April through October 31.  Fishermen should consult regulations to be sure of the dates.  The Columbia River offers world class fishing for Salmon, Steelhead, Sturgeon, Walleye and bass.

Astronomy Opportunities:  Excellent due to the lack of light pollution and clear skies.  The exact location for computerized telescopes is 45.64511° North, 121.110776° West.

Nearby Golfing:  Hood River:

Hood River Golf & Country Club Hood River Golf & Country Club (one of the author's favorites)

Indian Creek Golf Course Indian Creek Golf Course

Contact Information: 

Columbia Hills/Horsethief Lake State Park

Click on any picture for a larger image  

Sign at the entrance to Horsethief Lake State Park	Map of the campground at Horsethief Lake State Park. Note that the camping prices indicated on the map are 2007 prices.
The restroom facilities at Horsethief Lake State Park offer flush toilets and hot showers	The day use area at Horsethief Lake State Park
A primitive (no hookup) RV campsite at Horsethief Lake State Park	RV camping sites 1-8 offer water and electricity hookups at Horsethief Lake State Park
The tent camping sites at Horsethief Lake State Park are all on lush lawns	A marker describing the petroglyphs (Indian rock art) at Horsethief Lake State Park
One of many petroglyphs (Indian rock art) at Horsethief Lake State Park	More of the many petroglyphs (Indian rock art) at Horsethief Lake State Park

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The information presented herein, while deemed to be correct, is not guaranteed. All information including directions, costs, distances, amenities, measurements, dates, etc. are gathered from many different sources and are deemed to be as accurate as possible but not guaranteed. The Webmaster / Free Guide To Northwest Camping / Site Owners are not liable for any errors or omissions in this info sheet. The reader of this material is expected to verify the accuracy of this content.

Page last updated 01/24/2013

The Free Guide To Northwest Camping is a free guide to both privately owned and publicly owned (state, county and federal government) campgrounds.  The editors of the Free Guide To Northwest Camping do not specifically endorse any of the campgrounds listed in this site.  Not every available campground is covered in this free camping guide.  Many of the privately owned and operated campgrounds do allow RV camping but not tent camping.  If in doubt, call the campground first.

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