Beacon Rock Trail

Beacon Rock served as a landmark for river travelers for hundreds of years. The Indians knew it marked the last of the rapids on the Columbia River and the beginning of tidal influence from the Pacific Ocean, 150 miles away. Lewis and Clark were the first white men to see the rock. They camped at its base in November of 1805, noting the rock in their journal and giving it its present name. In 1811, Alexander Ross, of the John Jacob Aster expedition, called the rock Inshoack Castle, and it was known as "Castle Rock" until the United States Board of Geographic Names officially restored the title of "Beacon Rock", in 1961. No record of a successful ascent exists of the 848 foot rock until 1901. Henry J. Biddle, an early owner of the rock, built the original trail to the top. He completed it in 1918 after working on it for two years.

FEE, PERMIT OR PASS REQUIRED
Yes

DIFFICULTY
Moderate

ELEVATION
680 Feet

DISTANCE (Round-Trip)
1.7 Miles

Back