Horsethief Butte is a fun spring destination where you can hike and explore in the drier eastern gorge environment. Usually, beginning in March through June there are great floral displays.

Horsethief Butte is a very popular rock-climbing location. Two areas are signed "no climbing" for cultural resource protection. NOTE: Climbers are directed to limit their use of chalk when climbing at the butte.

Be aware that park conditions are often extremely windy.

Some rattlesnakes live in the area, but they are fairly rare. The bullsnake is more common. Its color and markings are similar to a rattlesnake's, but they don't have rattles and they are not venomous.

Watch out for poison oak in the rock climbing areas of the butte. They appear as woody shrubs along the base of some rockwalls. When foliated they have glossy leaves in groups of three and little round white berries.

Spring is tick season. Ticks vary in color from brown to green. Be sure to check for ticks when hiking the guided tour or visiting undeveloped areas. Archeological sites and artifacts are protected by both federal and state laws, and their disturbance and/or removal is illegal and carries severe penalties.

Horsethief Butte

How to get there:

From Oregon, from I-84 take Exit #87/Highway 197 north (The Dalles Dam bridge). Cross the Columbia River and continue about two miles to WA Hwy 14. Turn right on WA Hwy 14 and drive about two miles to the signed trailhead on the right.

From Washington, the trailhead is at about MP #86 on Hwy 14.