Backed by golden hills and fronted by the mighty Columbia River, Maryhill State Park is a welcoming place for all kinds of guests. Windsurfers seek thrills on the river, while cultural tourists explore nearby attractions, and parents succeed in occupying kids’ short attention spans.

In fact, the kids may be content to swim in the shallows and play on the park lawn for days. Maryhill offers that classic state park experience, with camping, boating, fishing and relaxation.

But, wait. There’s more.

Less than 25 minutes away, on a high plateau, Goldendale Observatory State Park merits a stargazing visit at night, and 22 miles west, Columbia Hills Historical State Park offers hiking, climbing and seasonal guided ranger walks to view Native American pictographs and petroglyphs.

A few minutes from the park, Maryhill Museum, built by historic entrepreneur Samuel Hill, houses one of the most astonishing private art collections on the west coast. Its sculpture-dotted grounds overlook orchards and wineries, the Columbia River and the iconic Sam Hill Memorial/Biggs Rapid Bridge that connects Washington and Oregon.

A mile away from the park, Samuel Hill also built a full-scale replica of Stonehenge as a monument to local soldiers killed in World War I. This site is open to the public.

So, unpack your campsite or hook up your RV at Maryhill State Park. Stay awhile, and take advantage of the activities in the region. Your one complaint upon leaving may be that the time passed too quickly.

As with all river front parks in the Columbia River Gorge, trainspotting is also a part of the Maryhill experience. The Burlington Northern SantaFe tracks just north of the park carry around 24 trains a day. This can be a noisy proposition for light sleepers, but great fun for kids and train enthusiasts.

PARK FEATURES
Maryhill State Park is an 89-acre camping park with 4,700 feet of waterfront on the Columbia River in Klickitat County. The area is significant for its natural beauty, access to the surrounding natural wonders and cultural history.