Beacon Rock State Park Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Here is what people usually come to see at Beacon Rock State Park, the 848-foot basalt plug which gives the park its name. You can actually walk up to the top of it using a very well-constructed, reinforced and paved trail which spirals around the monolith and deposits you on its summit. All along the way, you can peek out to see some of the most breathtaking views of the gorge. The only trouble is, when you get that close to the thing, you can't get a decent photo of it in its entirety. For that, your best bet is this state park, which is a little less than a mile away. That's Table Mountain to the right, whose trailhead is some five miles to the East.
Here is what people usually come to see at Beacon Rock State Park, the 848-foot basalt plug which gives the park its name. You can actually walk up to the top of it using a very well-constructed, reinforced and paved trail which spirals around the monolith and deposits you on its summit. All along the way, you can peek out to see some of the most breathtaking views of the gorge. The only trouble is, when you get that close to the thing, you can't get a decent photo of it in its entirety. For that, your best bet is this state park, which is a little less than a mile away. That's Table Mountain to the right, whose trailhead is some five miles to the East.
Beacon rock is a hikable 848-foot basalt volcanic plug on the Washington side of the Columbia River. There is a 3/4 mile trail that ascends the rock and 51 switchbacks later, you're rewarded with incredible views of the Columbia River Gorge. The currents views are a little sad as the damage from recent fire forests is quite evident in the Oregon side of the river.
You'll no doubt want to photograph the monstrous basalt plug that gives this park its name. But look behind you, if you think of it. The view's not bad from the other side, either.
View from top of beacon rock, looking east.
Skamania Lodge

Skamania Lodge

3.5 out of 5
1131 Skamania Lodge Way Stevenson WA
The price is NZ$303 per night from 26 Jan to 27 Jan
NZ$303
26 Jan - 27 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in Stevenson. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Great location and staff!

Reviewed on 13 Jan 2026

Skamania Lodge
Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa

Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa

2.5 out of 5
1252 E Cascade Dr North Bonneville WA
The price is NZ$227 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
NZ$227
28 Jan - 29 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa resort in North Bonneville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Bonneville Lock and Dam and Beacon Rock ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (487 reviews)
Had the best time! Clean affordable rooms and friendly staff. Loved the hot tubs!

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

Bonneville Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Carson Hot Springs Resort

Carson Hot Springs Resort

2.5 out of 5
372 St. Martin's Springs Road Carson WA
The price is NZ$167 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
NZ$167
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Carson. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Everything is good, without any unnecessary frills, no complaints. I recommend it.

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Carson Hot Springs Resort
See all 440 properties in Beacon Rock State Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Hide & Seek: vintage modern forest cabin with sauna

The Hide & Seek: vintage modern forest cabin with sauna

3 out of 5
Rhododendron OR
Stay at this cabin in Mount Hood Village. Enjoy a sauna, laundry facilities and patios. Popular attractions Mountain Sports and The Courses at Resort at the ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (87 reviews)
This place is the perfect getaway to relax, read, and explore the area! Will definitely be coming back here! This would be perfect for a solo trip as well! This little gem has been beautifully curated. Also, heated floors in the bathroom

Reviewed on 14 Nov 2025

The Hide & Seek: vintage modern forest cabin with sauna
Million Dollar Sandy River View On Beautiful Mt. Hood!

Million Dollar Sandy River View On Beautiful Mt. Hood!

Rhododendron OR
Stay at this beach cabin in Rhododendron. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (289 reviews)
Great stay!

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2026

Million Dollar Sandy River View On Beautiful Mt. Hood!
Charming, riverfront cabin with fireplace - dog-friendly

Charming, riverfront cabin with fireplace - dog-friendly

Welches OR
Stay at this cabin in Welches. Enjoy an in-room coffee maker, in-room fireplaces and air conditioning. Popular attractions Mountain Sports and Salmon River are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (65 reviews)
Cutest cabin with a great path to Sandy River! Super close to a lot of places! Definitely recommend!

Reviewed on 22 Dec 2025

Charming, riverfront cabin with fireplace - dog-friendly
See all properties in Beacon Rock State Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Mount St. Helens featuring landscape views, mountains and views

Mount St. Helens

Marvel at the awesome power of nature at the National Volcanic Monument, a 90-minute drive away from Portland.

Mount St. Helens
Portland

Johnston Ridge Observatory

In the heart of the volcano blast zone, enjoy stunning views of Mount St. Helens, listen to ranger talks, hike through the wilderness or watch an informational film.

Johnston Ridge Observatory
Ape cave is the longest lava tube in North America. It's full of boulders to scramble over and at 3 miles long with an average temp of 42 degrees this is one cool lava tube to hike through. #MountStHelens #ApeCave #LavaTubes #GetOutdoors

Ape Caves

Explore the great outdoors at Ape Caves, a lovely green space in Stevenson. Stroll along the riverfront in this romantic area or seek out the hiking trails.

Ape Caves

Skamania Lodge Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Stevenson at Skamania Lodge Golf Course. Wander the riverfront in this romantic area.

Skamania Lodge Golf Course

Dog Mountain Trail

You can take time to visit Dog Mountain Trail during your travels to Stevenson. Stroll along the riverfront in this romantic area or visit its top-notch restaurants.

Dog Mountain Trail

Marble Mountain Sno-Park

Hit the slopes in Stevenson with a visit to Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Stroll along the riverfront in this relaxing area or seek out the hiking trails.

Marble Mountain Sno-Park

Activities

Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour

Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour

NZ$146
per traveller
96% of travellers recommend
Half-Day Multnomah Falls & Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Jasper National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Jasper National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

NZ$26
per traveller
100% of travellers recommend
Jasper National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour
An inspired guest soaking in the mist of magnificent Latourell Falls!

Half Day Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour

NZ$120
per adult
88% of travellers recommend
Half Day Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour
Mt. Hood Loop Tour from Portland

Mt. Hood Loop Tour from Portland

NZ$221
per adult
Mt. Hood Loop Tour from Portland
Portland to Multnomah Falls a Waterfall Tour of 5 Falls and More

Portland to Multnomah Falls a Waterfall Tour of 5 Falls and More

NZ$172
per adult
Portland to Multnomah Falls a Waterfall Tour of 5 Falls and More
Hood River Team Trivia Hunt: New 2024 Mobile Game App!

Hood River Team Trivia Hunt: New 2024 Mobile Game App!

NZ$72
per adult
Hood River Team Trivia Hunt: New 2024 Mobile Game App!
See all activities in Beacon Rock State Park

Cities near Beacon Rock State Park

Multnomah Falls which includes views and a cascade as well as a large group of people

Bridal Veil

Mount St. Helens which includes views, landscape views and mountains

Stevenson

After a 1,350-foot ascent and a 4.4-mile hike (or 6.6 mile six mile if you get lost...gotta work on that), you arrive at the payoff: a set of bifurcating falls that makes up just part of a series of cataracts that scatter down Table Mountain. They are a sight to behold. And, while nowhere as voluminous or as tall as some of its cousins in the local area -- say Multnomah or Horseshoe Falls across the Columbia River -- it more than makes up for it with its myriad of tendrils plummeting their way down the mountain no more than ten feet in front of you. If you're in the area, and you don't mind a little exercise, a visit to these falls will be well worth your while.

North Bonneville