Columbia Hills State Park - Crawford Oaks

State Parks officially opened the Crawford Oaks trailhead at Columbia Hills State Park on May 17th of 2014. The trailhead is just east of Horsethief Butte on Hwy 14.

From the trailhead, cross 8 Mile Creek above the falls and follow a serpentine trail up the hill through rock benches to a 'T' junction, where you can turn left to hike down through a grove of oak trees. Continue along the east side of 8 Mile Creek walking through fields of balsamroot and lupine in the springtime.

Cross the creek and continue until you arrive at the fence line. Return to the trailhead along the west side of the creek. Near the oak grove, there's a large apple tree with beautiful blossoms.

The trail is non-motorized and multi-use, so expect to see other hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians. There is also a bathroom and covered picnic table.

Bitter cherry bushes, fiddle neck, showy phlox, puccoon, prairie stars are some of the flowers you may see, as well as balsamroot and lupine. But all the gorgeous flowers come with a prices -- be sure to check for ticks!