Soaring above the river at a height of 858 feet...
Beacon Rock is one feature of the Columbia River Gorge you will not miss as you drive by on either I-84 (Oregon) or WA-14 (Washington). Formed out of the plug walls of an ancient volcano, Beacon Rock is one of the only prominent features to survive the cataclysmic Missoula Flood. Named by Lewis and Clark in 1805, Beacon Rock has had an interesting history going back hundreds of years. It also demarks the easternmost limit of the tidal influences on the Columbia River.
Soaring above the river at a height of 858 feet, the determined hiker will be rewarded with awe-inspiring 360° views of the Columbia River Gorge. The mile-long hiking trail to the top involves many switchbacks and bridges cut into the side of the sheer rock face. If you attempt this hike, please be careful with small children as the rudimentary guardrails constructed out of steel pipe are the only things preventing a precipitous drop of the sides.
If rock-climbing is your idea of a good time, Beacon Rock allows use of the south face when it does not interfere with nesting falcons (February - mid July).
The park also includes 4482 acres of forested uplands across the highway from Beacon Rock, with a 1.25 mile nature trail and 9.5 miles of hiking trails. Other features include camping, a marina and access to the Hamilton Mountain hiking trails.
A Discover Pass is required for use of the park see www.discoverpass.wa.gov for more details.
