Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
680.00 ft (207.26 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
1.80 mi (2.90 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

With sweeping panoramic views, and as one of the easiest and most accessible hikes in the Columbia River Gorge, it’s no surprise that the switchback trail up Beacon Rock is constantly in use.  Since 1918, it has been easy for visitors to reach the summit of the 680-foot monolith of shear basalt thanks to Henry J. Biddle, who purchased the rock in 1915 and quickly constructed a series of switchback trails, overlapping bridges, and an almost continuous run of handrails.

Luckily, Biddle and his family’s vision of protecting and celebrating the rock's grandeur has withstood the test of modern time.  In the 1930s the US Army Corp of Engineers drafted a plan to completely demolish the landmark for use in construction of a jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River, but it was ultimately unsuccessful.  Soon after, the Biddle family turned the land over to the State of Washington, and in 1935 Beacon Rock State Park was created.  It wasn’t until 1986, however, that the Columbia River Gorge was designated and protected by Congress as a National Scenic Area.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

Washington Discovery Pass

Pros

Close to Portland. Spectacular views. Handrail infrastructure.

Cons

Very heavily used. Less "natural" trail.

Trailhead Elevation

240.00 ft (73.15 m)

Features

Big vistas

Location

Comments

02/18/2019
This was a great, easy, short hike with incredible views even in winter! There was still snow on the ground so microspikes helped.
06/09/2017
Thank you for the update, Annie, we've removed the alert.
06/03/2017
Beacon rock is open now, just hiked it on 6/3/17
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