Beacon Rock Trail. . " Its sheer walls were unscaled until 1901, and the modern
. " Its sheer walls were unscaled until 1901, and the modern trail to the top follows that original route. Beacon Rock Trail: hike description, photos, GPS map, and directions for an impressive trail in Beacon Rock State Park in the Columbia River Gorge, Washington The 848-foot-high basalt column is in Beacon Rock State Park, which has more than 20 miles of trails along with campgrounds and picnic spots. The trail is forested here, but the terrain is still rocky enough to provide great views of Hamilton Mountain and the river toward Bonneville Dam. A very popular and often crowded site, this is a serious kid-pleaser of a hike for older children. It is well-maintained, although not paved most of the way. 2-mile, ADA accessible interpretive trail at the Doetsch day use area. It’s 9 miles east of Washougal / the Cape Horn trailhead, and 7 miles west of Bridge of the Gods. Beacon Rock actually has two summits and the trail works around the south one and proceeds up the east side toward the higher, north summit. Dec 15, 2023 · The trail to Beacon Rock’s summit is one of the most extraordinary hikes near Portland and yet is only the beginning of the park’s attractions. Here is a brief history of Beacon Rock. 8-mile, out-and-back hike climbs 680 feet to the top of Beacon Rock, a free-standing basalt pillar along the Columbia River’s north shore. There are barriers to keep you safe on most of the trail. Jul 10, 2025 · The park offers a 1. This iconic 1. This 1. Learn about the natural and human history dating back to the Ice Age floods. It was this team of explorers that gave the rock its modern name, though they were initially undecided on whether it should be "Beacon Rock" or "Beaten Rock. Located near Stevenson, Washington, the area is popular with hikers, climbers and mountain bikers. Beacon Rock Trail takes you through Beacon Rock State Park to an awesome viewpoint over the Columbia River Gorge. Mar 30, 2024 · The trailhead for Beacon Rock is right along Highway 14 on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. 5mi out and back route is less of a hike in the classic sense and more of a pleasant walk with a gentle, consistent incline. 6 days ago · The trail up Beacon Rock is short and manageable for day hikers of all ages, at just under a mile in each direction. 6 days ago · The trail up Beacon Rock is short and manageable for day hikers of all ages, at just under a mile in each direction. Only 45 minutes from the city, you may want to return more than once to enjoy the waterfalls, mountain vistas, and wildflowers.