Columbia Hills Historical State Park is a wonderful destination for wildflower hiking (and birding) from early March through July most years. More surprisingly, one can find wildflowers in bloom here during any month of the year (weather permitting), though you may have to hunt a bit to find them. The park is perhaps best known for its massed blooms of balsamroots and lupines which occurs from mid- to late April in the lower half of the park and late April into mid-May in the upper part of the park. At that time, one can also find rocky prairies full of numerous species of desert parsleys, ball-headed triteleia, showy phlox, Hood River and Yakima milkvetches, Columbia Gorge lupine and several other species of lupines, and bighead clovers. Early season (early February through March) is marked by numerous goldstars, yellowbells, upland larkspurs, desert shooting stars and salt and pepper desert parsleys. Velvet lupines bloom in early fall (when there is sufficient rain) as do blanketflowers, snow buckwheat, Columbia goldenweed, and Columbia gumweed. The latter 4 species often bloom until early winter, or until there is a kiling frost.
Eastbound Directions:
Head east about 3.7 miles from the junction of US 197 and Washington Highway SR-14 to the turnoff into the Crawford Oaks trailhead. It will be about one-half of a mile or so east of the Horsethief Butte trailhead. Turn left into the trailhead parking area. Washington Discover Pass required.
Westbound Directions:
From the junction of US 97 and Washington Highway SR 14, drive west about 13.8-14 miles. You will know you are getting close at the end of a long, level straight section of highway that turns north-northwest up into a narrow canyon. The turn into the trailhead parking area is about one-third of a mile west of entering that narrow canyon. Washington Discover Pass required.
Passes: A Washington Discover Pass is required at this trailhead and along Washington Highway 14 adjacent to this trailhead. The parking area does get checked at least once a day (It's only 3 miles to the park headquarters.), and during peak hiking seasons, several times a day. Passes can be bought online or day passes can be purchased a half mile west on SR14 at the Horsethief Butte trailhead.
Dogs must be onleash to protect ground-nesting birds. Please pick up dog poop. Dog poop bags and a garbage can are available at the trailhead.
A vault toilet, covered picnic area and horse unloading area are available at this trailhead. The vault toilet is open daylight hours and serviced all year long.
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Plant Lists:
Comprehensive Plant List for the Columbia Hills (pdf)
October 12, 2013: Crawford Oaks Trailhead to the Devils Gap, then north to near the Dalles Mt. Ranch, returning south along Eightmile Creek.
April 14, 2013: Crawford Oaks Trailhead to Devils Gap and then to near the Dalles Mt. Ranch, Columbia Hills State Park - Note: The Crawford Oaks Trailhead is under construction for the next few months, so after witnessing a near collision, it probably is best to access this area by parking at the Dalles Mt. Ranch.
March 2, 2013: Columbia Hills State Park (Crawford Oaks Trailhead to Devils Gap)
May 7, 2011: Eightmile Creek, Crawford Oaks trailhead to the Dalles Mt. Ranch
April 4, 2010: Eightmile Creek, Columbia Hills State Park - From the Crawford Oaks trailhead uphill to the Dalles Mt. Ranch
February 23, 2010: Crawford Oaks and Eightmile Creek, Columbia Hills State Park - From SR14 uphill to the Dalles Mt. Ranch
Crawford Oaks Trailhead - OregonHikers.org
Dalles Mountain Ranch Loop Hike - OregonHikers.org
Columbia Hills State Park: Crawford Oaks - Washington Trails Association
Columbia Hills Historical State Park: Crawford Oaks - Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Columbia Hills Historical State Park - Washington State Parks