Horsethief Butte is a large nature park with historical significance in Lyle, Washington in the Columbia River Gorge very close to The Dalles, Oregon. It is a part of Columbia Hills Historical State Park.
This park consists of a trail that goes around and through the titular Horsethief Butte. Visitors are also allowed to climb and cross over Horsethief Butte, but are recommended to proceed with caution in doing so.
There is a decent-sized parking lot at the entrance as well as a public restroom. A Columbia Hills State Park Pass is required to park here. A day pass can be purchased at the self-pay kiosk in the parking lot for $10, and not only covers Horsethief Butte, but also covers day use for many other places that are within the Columbia Hills State Park.
Like the nearby petroglyphs site, there are also petroglyphs on and near Horsethief Butte itself. Visitors may need to climb up the butte to see the petroglyphs. Like any historical site, it is important to respect and preserve these places.
The Columbia River Gorge is a place of beautiful and dramatic views, and Horsethief Butte is no exception. The large rocky faces paired with the river provide stunning and dramatic views of the landscape. Come during the spring season to see wildflowers blooming everywhere around the rocky and windswept surface.
The main path of the park is a flat trail that goes around the butte, and takes you right next to the Columbia River. It can be very windy here, so take extra care that hats or other items do not blow away. There is also an entrance to climb over the butte on this side.
The riverside part of the trail does not go too far, and does not at this time go around the entire Butte, as the trail is blocked off after a certain point.
Like many riverside and gorge habitats, this area has lots of different birds. The most prominent birds are often ravens, vultures, eagles, and the very audible canyon wrens. Due to the high amount of wind, visitors can often see many birds – especially Ravens swooping and flying all around in a dramatic fashion as if they were surfing the wind.
On the north side of the Butte, there are trails as well. You can follow the dry fields on the western side, but the trail eventually ends as well instead of looping around the whole butte. You can also access the butte to climb over from this side.
Horsethief Butte is a great place for an easy and beautiful riverside walk. There is also a more challenging option of climbing over the Butte. This place has ancient native petroglyphs, lots of avian wildlife, and is often covered in wildflowers in the spring season.
This park is typically very lightly populated due to the fact that it is near no major city. It is a very short drive from The Dalles, a smaller city in Oregon along the Columbia River. The close location to The Dalles, its beauty, and cultural significance do attract a small amount of visitors.
If you are in the Columbia River Gorge near The Dalles, and you want a unique natural place to check out that is also historically significant, do not skip visiting Horsethief Butte.