Hat Rock State Park

Hat Rock is a natural monolith of basalt carved by floods from glaciers melting over ten thousand years ago. Hat Rock was the first distinctive landmark passed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition on their journey down the Columbia, and Clark noted it resembled a hat.

The park is a desert oasis surrounded by rolling sagebrush hills and outcroppings of basalt. This special place offers visitors a chance to escape the summer heat under the shelter of cottonwood and black locust ringed by acres of green grass. A boat ramp provides access to the lake, which is noted for walleye, sturgeon, and other fish. Water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, and boating are popular here. The park has its own pond stocked with rainbow trout and provides year-round habitat for waterfowl.

The Hat Rock Trail ascends to the base of Hat Rock. Interpretive panels tell about the area’s wildlife and past volcanic activity. A short spur leads across the pond to the 10-mile Umatilla County Lewis and Clark Commemorative Trail and Lake Wallula overlook. You will find information there about the trail and the Lewis and Clark expedition.

https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=12