Beacon Rock State Park is named for the 848-foot towering rock that overlooks the Columbia River Gorge, a site that no technical rock climber in the Pacific Northwest will want to miss. This rock is the core of an ancient volcano, which was worn away by floods during the end of the last Ice Age, leaving just Beacon Rock behind. While experienced climbers scale Beacon Rock, hikers can traverse up its switchback trail for beautiful views of the Gorge. Beacon Rock also features opportunities for other outdoor fun, including camping, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and boating.
The name “Beacon Rock” originates from Lewis and Clark, who noted the tall rock during their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. Beacon Rock is a state park today thanks to Vancouver geologist Henry J. Biddle and his family. Biddle saved Beacon Rock from becoming a quarry in the 1910s and built the famous switchback trail.
