Beacon Rock

Beacon Rock is an easy, historic, and scenic hiking trail along the Columbia River Gorge located in the 4,650-acre Beacon Rock State Park . Climb the switchback trail to the top of this 848-foot-tall monolith for jaw-dropping views of the Columbia Gorge far below.

Beacon Rock is the “leftover” core of an ancient volcano, eroded by the many ice floods that shaped the area. Beacon Rock has served as a landmark for Columbia River travelers for hundreds of years. The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped at its base in November 1805 and noted it several times in their journals under the names of “Beacon Rock” and “Beaten Rock.”

• Fee Required
• Interpretive Signage

Our Roots

The Central Cascades has seven themes that help to define the character of the region. This location is an example of Our Roots. Here are more locations that exemplify this theme:

• Timberline Lodge
• McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival
• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum
• Butte Creek Mill