Columbia Hills, State park with basalt formations in Klickitat County, US
Columbia Hills State Park spreads along the Columbia River and features striking basalt formations, particularly at Horsethief Butte with its distinctive hexagonal columns. The park offers trails, camping areas, and boat launches distributed across its expansive grounds.
The park was established in 2003 through the merger of Horsethief Lake State Park and Dalles Mountain Ranch, a result of efforts to preserve ancient rock carvings from flooding. This project protected archaeological treasures that were threatened by a major dam project.
Native American petroglyphs within the park show carvings left by indigenous people who once inhabited this region. These rock markings offer visitors a window into the lives and beliefs of early inhabitants.
Access to the park and its facilities requires a daily pass, and most areas are open during daylight hours for visitors to explore freely. The park works best in dry conditions, as some trails can become slippery when wet.
The hexagonal basalt columns here were shaped roughly 10,000 years ago by spectacular Ice Age floods that completely reshaped the landscape. These same natural forces later drew climbers who discovered the stable rock walls and towers as perfect training grounds.
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