Located on the western end of 90-acre Horsethief Lake, Columbia Hills Historical State Park's campground is modestly sized and ideally shaded when compared to the rest of grassland 3,338-acre park. The campground itself has eight gravel "partial utility" sites (electric connection only), two platform tent sites, a tee-pee, four walk-in sites, two hiker/biker campsites, and a restroom and shower facility that's shared with the park's day use picnic area.

If looking to explore the 3,338-acre park, Columbia Hills Historical State Park is a major destination for hiking and rock climbing around Horsethief Butte, and the hiking trails on Dalles Mountain Ranch are known for the purple lupine and bright yellow balsamroot that are most abundant in mid-April. Adjacent to the campground on the west end of Horsethief Lake, salvaged petroglyphs from the region are on display on the very short Temani Pesh-wa Interpretive Trail. The Lake itself is open to motorized boats, but are limited to 5 m.p.h..

Note: Columbia Hills Historical State Park Campground is open year round.