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Battle Ground Lake State Park
Phone: (360) 687-4621
Fax: (360) 666-8158
City: Battle Ground
Address:
18002 N.E. 249th St.,
Battle Ground, WALocated 21 miles northeast of Vancouver, Wash., on the state's western side.
This park offers five miles of horse trails and a primitive equestrian camping area. The spring-fed lake is stocked with trout and is a favorite of anglers. The lake is said to be a "miniature version" of Oregon's Crater Lake.
For more up to date information, visit the Battle Ground Lake page on the state parks web site.
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Park Overview
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a camping park with 280 acres of beautiful, forested land in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The lake itself is of volcanic origin and is considered to be a smaller version of Crater Lake in Oregon.
Marine Park: No
Popular Destination
Park Hours
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Significant History
This area was named for a battle that settlers at Fort Vancouver expected to happen in 1855 between U.S. Army soldiers and some Klickitat Indians. The battle never occurred.
Captain Strong, the post commander, allowed some Indians to leave the fort on the promise that they would return after burying their chief, who had been accidently killed. Most fort residents believed a battle would ensue to get the Indians to return, and therefore dubbed the spot "Strong's Battle Ground." The Indians, true to their word, returned peacefully, but the name took hold. Later the area was simply referred to as "Battle Ground."
Captain Strong, the post commander, allowed some Indians to leave the fort on the promise that they would return after burying their chief, who had been accidently killed. Most fort residents believed a battle would ensue to get the Indians to return, and therefore dubbed the spot "Strong's Battle Ground." The Indians, true to their word, returned peacefully, but the name took hold. Later the area was simply referred to as "Battle Ground."
Major Landmarks
The park is largely evergreen forest with trails around the lake. Annual average rainfall is 35 inches. The lake's origin is volcanic, and is believed to have been formed as a "Maar" volcano. This type of volcano is the result of hot lava or magma pushing up near the surface of the earth and then coming into contact with underground water. This is thought to have resulted in a large steam explosion, leaving a crater that later formed a lake.
Notable Buildings
Convenience camping structures:
-Four cabins are reservable year-round. Each sleeps five and is equipped with heat and lights, bunk-beds, a futon bed, a picnic table and a porch with a grill. A utility hookup and water are outside, and restrooms with showers are nearby. Bring your own bedding. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
-Four cabins are reservable year-round. Each sleeps five and is equipped with heat and lights, bunk-beds, a futon bed, a picnic table and a porch with a grill. A utility hookup and water are outside, and restrooms with showers are nearby. Bring your own bedding. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Interpretive Oportunities
An interpretive program is offered every Saturday from mid-June through Labor Day. This evening program includes night sky interpretation with a telescope, slide shows and guest speakers. There is a self-guided nature trail in the park.
Directions provided by the state parks department are given below the map,
or you can try to have google create the directions from the coordinates we have on file.
Take exit #14, and follow signs to city of Battle Ground. Drive to east end of town. Turn left on Grace Ave. (in front of Foodliner Grocery), and follow signs to park, approximately three miles from city of Battle Ground.
From I-5 northbound:
Take exit #9, and follow signs to city of Battle Ground. Drive to east end of town. Turn left on Grace Ave. (in front of Foodliner Grocery), and follow signs to park, approximately three miles from city of Battle Ground.
Directions
From I-5 southbound:Take exit #14, and follow signs to city of Battle Ground. Drive to east end of town. Turn left on Grace Ave. (in front of Foodliner Grocery), and follow signs to park, approximately three miles from city of Battle Ground.
From I-5 northbound:
Take exit #9, and follow signs to city of Battle Ground. Drive to east end of town. Turn left on Grace Ave. (in front of Foodliner Grocery), and follow signs to park, approximately three miles from city of Battle Ground.
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life | Plantlife |
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Chipmunks
Coyotes
Deer/Elk
Foxes
Rabbits
Raccoons
Skunks
Squirrels
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Crows/Ravens
Ducks
Geese
Hawks
Herons
Jays
Osprey
Owls
Woodpeckers
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Bass
Catfish
Trout
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Cedar
Douglas Fir
Hemlocks
Alders
Apple Trees
Cherry Trees
Maple Trees
Oak Trees
Daisies
Lupines
Berries
Ferns
Moss or Lichens
Thistle
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| General | Trails | Freshwater Activities | Saltwater Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
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Swimming
Bird Watching
Wildlife Viewing
Mountain Biking
Interpretive
1 Baseball Field
1 Softball Field
1 Badmitton Area
1 Volleyball Field
2 Horseshoe Pits
1 Fire Circle
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5 mi. of Horse Trails
10 mi. of Hiking Trails
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Boating - Nonmotorized
Fishing
1 Boat Ramp
60 ft. of Dock
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Swim Area Restriction: Children under the age of four are not allowed in the swim area.
The sports field has room for soccer but no goal posts. There are movable poles for badminton or volleyball. Groups provide net and ball or shuttlecock. The park does not have designated bike trails. Mountain bikers may use horse trails as long as they yield to horse riders. Picnic NotesTwo kitchen shelters without electricity are available first-come, first-served year-round. Each accommodates about 20 people. There are 70 unsheltered picnic tables. The day-use restroom is ADA-compliant.
One kitchen shelter with electricity is reservable. The facility accommodates 20 to 150 people. Fees vary, based on size of the group. To reserve, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. Group CampingGroup camp has four adirondack (three-sided) shelters that each sleep eight people. The camp offers a covered cooking and meeting area, a group fire ring, room for 32 people in tents and two pit toilets. Due to a small, unlevel parking area, RVs are not allowed in this camp. There is a minimum group size of 25 people. For year-round reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
A horse camp is available by reservation. It is primitive with no water on the site. Occupancy is four families. Horse camp includes four small corrals, one pit toilet, two fire pits and four picnic tables. There is a minimum group size of 10. To reserve the horse camp, call (888) 226-7688 or (888) CAMPOUT Boating/Water NotesPaddle boat rentals are available at the park contact station. Rental price is $10 an hour per boat.
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| Park Services | Area Services |
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Camping
Store
Pay Phone
Wood
4 Horse Stables
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Auto Repair
Boating
Camping Area
Diesel
Fishing and Hunting Supplies
Gasolene
Gifts
Golfing
Groceries
Hardware
Pay Phones
US Mail
Propane
Recreational Equipment
White Gas
Wood
4 Horse Stables
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The park store is a privately operated concession. It offers burgers, fries, ice, firewood, fishing supplies, soft drinks and candy. The store has game horseshoes available for rent and is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. | |
