Horsethief Lake Recreation Area & Campground

Horsethief Lake is the day-use and campground area within Columbia Hills Historical State Park, a small lake destination for picnics, swimming, boating, and overnight camping. It has 18 sites: four standard, eight partial-hookup, four standard walk-in, and two primitive hiker/biker. Expect a compact campground with sites close together, exposed wind, and train noise; trains pass along the park edge day and night, and Gorge wind can be strong.

The day-use grounds have 35 unsheltered picnic tables and nine braziers, all first-come, first-served. A boat ramp serves the lake; motorized boats are limited to 5 mph, and wake sports are not allowed. You can swim, and peak-season kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are offered, though strong wind can limit them. For a lake photo, get low near shore and keep the dry hills beyond the water in frame; the wider view gives a sense of this open basin.