Size: 540 acres
Location: Klickitat County, WA
Acquired: 2009
Lyle Cherry Orchard is a sprawling 540-acre public preserve in the Eastern Gorge, offering gorgeous views of the Columbia River and wildflowers each spring. The property is bordered by multiple landowners, including the Lyle School District, the Washington Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources, and various private owners. With over 6.5 miles of scenic trails, the preserve is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The preserve features two primary habitat types: open oak woodlands and grassland meadows. Botanical highlights include Oregon white oak, balsamroot, desert parsley, poison oak, snowberry, bitterbrush, and the invasive yellow star thistle. A 2013 wildlife survey documented species such as rufous-sided towhees, ospreys, turkey vultures, black-tailed deer, and ground squirrels. Visitors have also reported sightings of northern alligator lizards, rattlesnakes, and bald eagles.
In spring 2024, Friends unveiled new interpretive signs along the main trail in both English and Spanish, offering educational insights into the preserve’s ecology and history. Explore the interpretive signage at the links below.
Lyle Cherry Orchard
Interpretive Signage
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