7 Fun Things to Do in Maryhill, WA

Looking down from cliff onto Maryhill with Mount Hood in the background

East of Hood River, the Columbia Gorge transitions from dense pine forests to grassy bluffs and rugged exposed cliffs. It’s a land of sweeping vistas and delicate wildflowers. Golden poppies, balsamroot, and lupines bloom on the hillsides in the spring. Fruit ripens in the orchards in summer. The sleepy town at the base of these hills is one of the most underrated destinations in the Columbia Gorge. Here’s how to plan the perfect day trip to Maryhill, Washington.

1. Explore the Maryhill Museum of Art

Maryhill Museum of Art and lilac bush — *Maryhill Museum of Art*

Set aside any preconceptions you might have about small-town museums. The Maryhill Museum of Art will surprise you. Eclectic is the word everyone uses to describe it, not so much as a polite euphemism but as a way of saying that there’s something for everyone. A visit starts with the grounds where walking paths lead through a sculpture garden. Follow the paths from the garden to viewpoints overlooking the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood.

Mount Hood behind the Maryhill Museum of Art building — *Mount Hood behind the Maryhill Museum of Art*

From the outside, the museum looks like a palatial mansion. Early 20th-century railroad tycoon Sam Hill began building it in 1914 as his family home. After some twists and turns of fortune, he never moved in but instead made the building an art museum. Multiple donors contributed to the collection, which helped to create its variety. When you enter, the golden antiquities of Romanian nobility fill the first exhibit space. Queen Marie of Romania was Sam Hill’s friend. From one room to another, you’ll never be able to guess what’s next, from the collection of 80 Rodin sculptures to the hall of chess pieces.

Sculpture of the thinker in case in museum exhibit — *Rodin collection*

The Maryhill Museum of Art is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, March through November. Adult admission is $23. If you visit from Friday to Monday, Loie’s Cafe has an excellent patio overlooking Mount Hood. The cafe serves coffee drinks, wine, and light lunch fare like salads and sandwiches. On other days, Maryhill Winery (#7 on the list) is a great alternative with at least as good of a patio.

2. Visit Stonehenge

Stonehenge replica on grassy hill — *Stonehenge*

Maryhill’s Stonehenge is the great oddity of the Columbia Gorge. Perched on a cliff high above the town, it inspires awe with a healthy dose of bafflement. The monument is the brainchild of, once again, Sam Hill of Maryhill Museum fame. Designed with the help of astronomers and engineers, Hill intended this full-scale replica to recreate England’s Neolithic original as closely as possible. At a glance, the resemblance is striking. The modern building materials begin to distract as you look closer. It’s made of concrete textured to look like rough stone.

Maryhill Stonehenge — *Are we in England? Nope, still Maryhill.*

While Maryhill’s Stonehenge has all the makings of a quirky roadside attraction, two things make it hard to dismiss. First are the very real sacrifices it honors. Hill, a pacifist, built Maryhill’s Stonehenge as a condemnation of war. Completed in 1929, plaques on the monument commemorate the soldiers from Klickitat County killed in WWI. Nearby, a modern memorial does the same for soldiers lost in more recent wars. Then, there’s the location. Sam Hill knew the Columbia Gorge backward and forward and he picked the perfect spot for Stonehenge. Between the concrete walls, you’ll see vistas overlooking Maryhill, the Columbia River, Mount Hood, and the bluffs of the eastern Gorge. Hill chose the same place for his gravesite. If you take the short dirt trail behind Stonehenge, you’ll see his granite headstone down the hill.

Maryhill’s Stonehenge is open from 7 AM until dusk. Admission is free. It has a picnic table but no restrooms.

3. Stop at Gunkel Orchards Fruit Stand

A short drive down the hill from Stonehenge will bring you to the picturesque town of Maryhill, where orchards line the quiet streets. In summer, the fat red cherries ripening along the road make it impossible not to start dreaming about car snacks. Businesses are few here, but the produce at Gunkel Orchards is worth a destination visit. The stand sells fruit from the fourth-generation family orchard. The trees are so close to the stand that you can see them as you shop.

Cluster of cherries growing on branch — *Cherries ripen across the road from the fruit stand*

Visit in summer and fall to browse the fresh produce like cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and veggies. There are also some specialty products like jams, honey, salsas, and salad dressings. Heads up, don’t trust the hours online. When I visited at the end of April, a sign on the shop said they were closed for the season despite being listed as open every day online. I’ve been before in the summer and found them open. I’m guessing June through September are safe bets.

4. See the petroglyphs

Petroglyph on boulder with dramatic cliffs behind — *Columbia Hills Petroglyphs*

Maryhill has a park in town, Maryhill State Park, which has a campground and swimming area on the Columbia River. While not a bad stop, I’d steer you toward Columbia Hills State Park instead. Only 20 minutes from Maryhill, it’s one of the best places to appreciate the area’s natural beauty. The most intriguing highlight is the Columbia Hills Petroglyphs, which offer a rare look at history long before the days of Sam Hill. The Columbia Gorge once had many petroglyphs. Sadly, flooding after the construction of the John Day Dam destroyed most of them. Columbia Hills preserves a collection of petroglyphs that were moved from their original sites to save them.

Rock with petroglyphs — *Columbia Hills Petroglyphs*

A short (0.1-mile) stroller and wheelchair-friendly paved trail takes you past boulders with ancient etchings. Some have subjects that you’ll recognize easily. Others look like fanciful creatures that spark the imagination. We don’t know the details of their history beyond that people from local Native American tribes carved them long ago. The petroglyphs have spiritual importance for multiple tribes today. Please visit respectfully and stay on the trail. Watch for marmots scurrying on the rocks behind the petroglyphs.

Parking at Columbia Hills State Park requires the Washington Discover Pass ($10/day or $30/year). You can buy a day pass at the campground near the petroglyphs. The campground also has restrooms and a lovely shaded picnic area.

Learn more about the Columbia Hills Petroglyphs.

5. Hike the trails in Columbia Hills State Park

Horsethief Butte behind lake — *Horsethief Butte*

The hiking trails in Columbia Hills Historical State Park show off the incredible scale and beauty of the Columbia Gorge. Without tree cover, it’s easy to appreciate the dramatic basalt cliffs along the Columbia River. Lava flows from hundreds of miles east deposited the rock here around 15 million years ago. Then, around 15,000 years ago, massive floods tore through the Columbia Gorge, exposing the columns that make the cliffs so distinctive. Amid this grandeur are incredible springtime wildflower displays. Look for early bloomers starting in March. Visit in late April or early May to see the hillsides covered in balsamroot and lupines.

Grasslands and basalt cliffs from rocky outcropping — *Views from Horsethief Butte*

Columbia Hills State Park has hiking trails ranging from short and easy to all-day events. Here are a couple of excellent hikes within 20 minutes of Maryhill:

For an easy hike that brings you to some fascinating geology, check out the 1-mile trail around Horsethief Butte. This towering plateau next to the Columbia River survived the glacial floods. If you’re up for a scramble, you can climb onto the butte and take in the vistas from above.
To find the best wildflower hikes in spring, head to the network of trails on the north side of Highway 14 starting from the Crawford Oaks Trailhead, like the 6.5-mile Columbia Hills Vista Loop.

To park at Columbia Hills State Park trailheads, you’ll need the Washington Discover Pass ($10/day or $30/year). You can buy a day pass in the park.

6. Jacob Williams Winery

Jacob Williams Winery next to the Columbia River — *Jacob Williams Winery on the Columbia River*

Jacob Williams Winery has a great combination of a jaw-dropping location and fantastic wines. The tasting room sits on the banks of the Columbia River where cliffs loom to both the north and south. Orchards and vineyards grow along the river. On a clear day, you’ll see Mount Hood’s summit from the sunny patio. The resident winery cat, Rosé, will greet you as you take in the views. Although part of Washington’s wine country, the eastern Columbia Gorge is out of the way enough to remain a hidden gem. It’s a place where you can show up without a reservation and stay as long as you want at a table with a killer view.

Glass of white wine on patio table with mountain view — *Patio at Jacob Wiliams*

If it’s your first visit to Jacob Williams, I’d suggest a tasting flight. The family-owned winery makes wines that reflect what is special about the Columbia Valley. They’re dry, complex, and fruit-forward. Rather than a single flagship grape, many varieties thrive in the region’s microclimates, from aromatic Viognier with subtle hints of tropical fruit to smooth-as-silk Merlot. For food, the winery serves charcuterie boards and flatbreads. Tastings are $20, which is waived if you buy two bottles.

7. Maryhill Winery

Sunny patio overlooking green hills — *Maryhill Winery patio*

The town of Maryhill doesn’t have much in the way of restaurants, but you can find a great lunch spot at Maryhill Winery. Besides being a beautiful place to try a tasting flight, the winery’s bistro has a full menu, with flatbread pizzas, burgers, and charcuterie boards. The inside space is cozy and inviting, but the patio is the real treat on nice days. Vine-covered trellises cast a dappled light onto tables that overlook the vineyards from above. Beyond the grape vines, you’ll see the Columbia River, the hills of Oregon, and a distant Mount Hood. Next to the winery is the Maryhill Amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue with unbeatable views. If you’re dropping in during the day, it’s hard to imagine the energy of a concert crowd in such a peaceful spot.

Wine and pizza on patio table — *Lunch at Maryhill Winery*

Tastings at Maryhill Winery include seven of their wines. The $25 tasting fee is waived with a $30 bottle purchase. Like Jacob Williams, expect to find good variety here. The tasting pours include some surprises like a single varietal Petit Verdot and a full-bodied Roussanne that’s more fruit-forward than its French counterparts. Throw in some mushroom flatbread, and wow what a lunch.

Enjoy your trip to Maryhill, Washington!

With love,

Emma

Best things to do in Maryhill, Washington, the summary:

Explore the Maryhill Museum of Art
Visit Stonehenge
Stop at Gunkel Orchards farm stand
See the petroglyphs
Hike the trails in Columbia Hills State Park
Visit Jacob Williams Winery
Have lunch at Maryhill Winery

Explore nearby

Dalles Bridge — Head over the bridge and check out the **best things to do in The Dalles**.

Restaurant lawn patio with Mount Hood view — Find the **best things to do in Hood River, Oregon**.