| Hat Rock State Park | |
|---|---|
 Hat Rock | |
   | |
| Type | Public, state |
| Location | Umatilla County,Oregon |
| Nearest city | Hermiston |
| Coordinates | 45°54′53″N119°09′54″W / 45.9148548°N 119.1650109°W /45.9148548; -119.1650109[1] |
| Operated by | Oregon Parks and Recreation Department |
Hat Rock State Park is astate park in theU.S. state ofOregon, administered by theOregon Parks and Recreation Department. The park is located off the east side ofU.S. Highway 730 inHermiston,[2] on the south shore ofLake Wallula behindMcNary Dam on theColumbia River.[3]
Hat Rock is a geological formation that, along with anotheroutcropping rock in the park called Boat Rock, are thought to be exposed remnants of a 12-million-year-oldbasalt flow. Floods from theIce Age eventually left thesebedrocks, as well as others along the Columbia River Gorge exposed at the surface of the Earth.[4]It is 70 feet (21 meters) high.
Hat Rock was the first landmark passed by theLewis and Clark Expedition once they reached theColumbia River, and is one of the few remaining sites that has not been submerged by the river. On October 19, 1805, Clark noted in his journal "a rock on the Lard... resembling a hat".[5][6]
During the construction of the nearbyMcNary Dam in 1951, 175 acres were purchased byOregon State Parks from Charles and Eileen Kirk for $5,000. Another 191 acres were leased from theArmy Corps of Engineers in 1953, with 2 small additional parcels purchased in the following years.[5]
On June 10, 2023, a wildfire began known as the Hat Rock Fire. It burned over 16,816 acres before being 100% contained by June 13.[7][8]
Hat Rock State Park features hiking trails, horse trails, multiple picnicking areas, flush restrooms, fishing areas, and a boat launch.[9]
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