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Beacon Rock State Park
Nearby Parks:
McLoughlin State Natural Area
John B Yeon State Park
Bonneville State Scenic Corridor
Ainsworth State Park
Sheridan Wayside State Park
Benson State Park
Lang Forest State Park Wayside
Bridal Veil Falls State Scenic Viewpoint
Shepperds Dell State Park
Lindsey Creek State Park
Guy W Talbot State Park
George W Joseph State Park
Rooster Rock State Park
Starvation Creek State Park
Crown Point State Park
Portland Womens Forum State Scenic Viewpoint
Wormald State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,650-acre year-round camping park with historic significance dating back hundreds of years. The park includes 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River. Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Beacon Rock is the core of an ancient volcano. The mile-long trail to its summit provides outstanding panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge. The park has over 20 miles of roads and trails open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.
Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk for day use only.
Technical rock climbing: The South and Southeast faces of Beacon Rock close annually on Feb. 1 and tentatively reopen mid-July. The Northwest corner is open for climbing year round. The east face is closed for the protection of rare species, cultural and historical resources.
Camping:Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.Check-out time, 1 p.m.Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
The boat pumpout and electrical hookup sites on the moorage dock are closed for the winter.
Two campsites at the moorage dock are open year round.
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| Nature of the Area: |
| Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Bears? Bobcats? Chipmunks? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? Rabbits? Skunks? Squirrels ? Crows or Ravens? Doves or Pigeons? Ducks? Eagles? Geese? Grouse? Gulls? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Jays? Ospreys? Owls? Woodpeckers? Wrens ? Bass? Crappie? Salmon? Steelhead? Sturgeon? Trout? Walleye
Environmental Features
Beacon Rock is the core of an ancient volcano. The ice-age floods through the Columbia River Gorge eroded the softer material away, leaving this unique geological structure standing by itself on the banks of the Columbia River. ? Douglas Fir? Ponderosa Pine? Alder? Cherry? Maple? Daisy? Lupines? Paintbrush? Rhododendron? Berries? Ferns? Moss or Lichens? Thistle? Poison Oak |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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We love the hiking!
Small camp ground with hot showers, we all love the family environment! 2 fun trails, 1 of which is a GREAT workout. The only drawback is not enough room for the kids to ride their bikes.
Written by Traci and Family
26-Aug-2009
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| Camping: |
| The park has 28 tent spaces, one restroom and two showers. The main camp area is an older camp in a forested setting suited more for tents than RVs. There are a limited number of sites that accommodate RVs over 20 feet and the maximum site length is 40 feet. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
The boat pump-out and utility sites on the moorage dock are closed for the winter.
Winter facilities at the moorage area include 2 tent sites, one shower and one restroom. Overnight moorage and the boat launch are available year-round.
Group Accommodations:
The group camp is for tent and RV use. It accommodates 200 guests. Facilities include one kitchen shelter with power and one picnic shelter. There are two Adirondack (three-sided) sleeping shelters and two vault toilets. Showers are available in the main campground and moorage area. Fees vary with size of the group. |
| Picnicking: |
| There are two kitchen shelters with electricity in the park, plus two sheltered and 53 unsheltered picnic tables.
The lower picnic-area kitchen shelter is located at Hamilton Mountain Trailhead, available first-come, first-served. Water and power are available in the shelter.
The upper picnic-area kitchen shelter is available by reservation for groups of up to 100 people. Water and power are on-site. |
| Boating: |
| The park offers one boat launch, 916 feet of moorage dock and a boat pumpout (closed during the winter).
A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit may be purchased at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
There are six electrical hookup sites for boats at the moorage dock (these sites are closed during the winter). The fee for these moorage sites is the standard moorage fee plus an additional $6 per night.
Winter facilities at the moorage area include two tent sites, one shower and one restroom. Overnight moorage and the boat launch are available year round. |
| History of the Area: |
| "Beacon Rock" was originally named by Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean on October 31, 1805. It was near Beacon Rock that they first measured tidal influences from the ocean on the Columbia River.
In 1811, Alexander Ross of the John Jacob Astor expedition called the rock "Inoshoack Castle." The rock was known as "Castle Rock" until, in 1916, the United States Board of Geographic Names restored the name "Beacon Rock."
Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock in order to build a trail to the top. The trail was built, and in 1935 his heirs turned the rock over to the state for use as a park. Additional development was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Cottages and Cabins | |  | Columbia River Gorge Guest House - Washougal, WA
A hostel, guesthouse, bed & breakfast, located in the Columbia River Gorge and only 40 minutes from Portland Oregon. Remote, rustic, yet wireless and so very comfy. Welcome to our lodge turned rental! Our 43 acre ranch cum vacation rental is situated at the scenic mouth of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Web Site: http://www.columbiarivergorgeguesthouse.com/ |
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| |  | Oregon Beach Vacations - Lincoln City, OR
Oregon Beach Vacations chooses our Oregon vacation rentals very carefully. Each home is personally screened prior to acceptance, and we work closely with the property owners to ensure that every Oregon coast rental continues to meet our high standards. Each rental has certain amenities to make it special. You may never want to leave!
Web Site: http://www.oregonbeachvacations.com |
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| Related Links: |
| Beacon Rock State Park - ... Weather Equipment Lists Equipment Links Ranger Phone# Reference WA/OR Ranger Phone# Reference All Beacon Rock State Park What: This immense 850 foot tall rock was mentioned in the Lewis & Clark ... | | Beacon Rock State Park - Daffodil Valley Times - Beacon Rock Park outside Vancouver, WA. ... Beacon Rock State Park East of Vancouver, WA Find out about updates to our site! Just put your email address below and click Send! Calendar of Events Find ... | | Beacon Rock and Beacon Rock State Park - Beacon Rock and Beacon Rock State Park NOTES Located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Beacon Rock ... 1 to July 15 annually. Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,650-acre ... | | Columbia River Gorge, Washington State Parks, Mount Saint Helens, Bonneville Dam Important - Columbia River Gorge, Washington State Parks, Mount Saint Helens, Bonneville Dam Important ... our Washington State Parks such as Beacon Rock State Park, exciting recreation on the mighty Columbia ... | | Beacon Rock, The 2nd largest rock in the world! - ... Only a few short minutes east of Portland Oregon, Beacon Rock State Park offers breath-taking scenery as well as many exciting ... Banner Exchange Beacon Rock State Park FEATURED GOODS and ... | | CVO Website - "Visit A Volcano" - Beacon Rock, Washington - ... Excerpt from: Washington State Parks and Recreation, Beacon Rock State Park Website, 1997 Beacon Rock State Park Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,650-acre year-round camping park with historic ... | | CVO Website - Beacon Rock, Washington - ... Beacon Rock, Washington Beacon Rock State Park Beacon Rock ... River. Beacon Rock State Park From: Washington State Parks, Beacon Rock State Park Website, 2002 Beacon Rock State Park is a 4 ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The park offers a one-mile interpretive trail at the Doetsch day-use area. The trail is ADA accessible. Additionally, there are interpretive signs about the Ice Age floods along the Beacon Rock Trail. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Trails Water Activities Other? 1 mi. ADA Hiking Trails? 8.2 mi. Hiking Trails? 13 mi. Bike Trails? 13 mi. Horse Trails ? Boating (freshwater)? Boating (freshwater, non-motorized)? 1 boat ramp (freshwater)? 916 feet of dock (freshwater)? 916 feet of moorage (freshwater)? Fishing (freshwater) ? Mountain Biking? Rock Climbing? Wildlife Viewing
Beacon Rock offers opportunities for rock climbing, except where it interferes with nesting raptors (primarily on the south face). The presence of the falcon nest requires that the south face be closed to technical rock activity February 1 to mid-July annually; open the rest of the year. The east face is closed year-round due to environmental sensitivity. Call the park at (509) 427-8265 for more information.
The horse and bike trails are multi-use, with hikers allowed.
There is fishing on the lower Columbia River, below Bonneville Dam, for sturgeon, salmon, steelhead, bass and walleye.
The park is a popular site for weddings. |
| Directions: |
| Located 35 miles east of Vancouver, Wash. in Skamania County.
From Seattle:Take I-5 south to Vancouver. Just north of Vancouver, take I-205 south. Follow I-205 south to the Hwy. 14 exit (last exit before crossing the Columbia River into Oregon). Follow Hwy. 14 east. Beacon Rock and the park entrance are located at mile post 35.
From Portland:Take I-84 eastbound along the Columbia River to Cascade Locks. At Cascade Locks, cross the Columbia River into Washington on the Bridge of the Gods toll bridge. Turn left onto Hwy. 14. Follow Hwy. 14 west for seven miles to Beacon Rock. |
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