Beacon Rock State Park is located 35 miles east of Vancouver on State Route 14, in Skamania County.

Acreage

4,481.89 acres with 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River.

Acquired

Beacon Rock State Park was acquired in 19 parcels; the first in 1935 and the last in 1990, for a total cost of $1,416,721.

Historical Background

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.

Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock, in order to build a trail to the top, and constructed the original trail from 1916 to 1918. 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.

Facilities

33 campsites, 71 picnic sites, 5 comfort stations, 5 kitchen shelters, 2 adirondack shelters in group camp, 2 primitive campsites, 2 boat launch ramps, dock, 2 residences, shop/ service buildings, unorganized group camp area, 1 mile trail to the top of Beacon Rock, plus 8.5 mile loop trail to Hamilton Mountain and return. 13 miles of fire road open to equestrian, mountain bike, and hiking use.

Activities

Picnicking, camping, hiking, playground activities, fishing, boating, rock climbing, horseback riding, and mountain biking.