State Parks and National Parks

Beacon Rock State Park

Situated along a dramatic portion of the Columbia River Gorge, Beacon Rock State Park contains one of Washington's best spots for viewing the wild riverway below — 848-foot Beacon Rock.

This towering crag is all that's left of a volcano that eroded away over thousands of years. It was named in 1805 by Lewis and Clark as they canoed the Columbia River, but a trail to its summit wasn't completed until 1918.

The 4,500-foot trail up the rock has a 15 percent grade and is lined with handrails. Having "conquered" the rock, visitors are treated to a fabulous view of the river gorge, its islands and its waterfalls.

The Beacon Rock is open for technical climbing between July and February, but dates vary, please call ahead.

The park has 28 tent sites and six sites with hook-ups. Campground reservations are not accepted, campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.

More than 20 miles of trails are shared by hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers.

A boat launch and mooring provide easy access to the Columbia River, which offers sturgeon, steelhead, salmon, bass and walleye.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Washington