Beacon Rock State Park
Park Washington park featuring prominent basalt monolith Beacon Rock
A prominent basalt monolith on the Columbia River Gorge with a maintained trail and metal staircase to the summit; visitors hike for river views, geology and picnicking at lower slopes.
Beacon Rock State Park centers on Beacon Rock, a striking basalt volcanic plug on the north bank of the Columbia River in Washington State. The rock rises prominently above the river and is one of the most notable monoliths in the Columbia River Gorge.
The park’s main visitor feature is a maintained trail with switchbacks and stairways that leads to the top of Beacon Rock and provides panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge. Short riverside trails and picnic areas are also available near the park entrance.
Beacon Rock was recognized for its geological and scenic significance and later managed as a state park to provide public access to the monolith and surrounding gorge landscape. Trails and park facilities were developed to enable safe ascent and riverfront recreation.
Beacon Rock State Park is located in the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side of the river, adjacent to the river highway corridor and within driving distance east of the Portland metropolitan area.
- Prominent monolith: A volcanic plug rising 848 feet (259 metres) above the Columbia River, with a maintained trail and stairway to the summit.
How to Get to Beacon Rock State Park #
Beacon Rock State Park lies on the north bank of the Columbia River along Washington State Route 14 (WA‑14) near the small town of North Bonneville/Beacon Rock. From Vancouver, WA drive east on WA‑14 for roughly 30-35 miles (about 50-55 km) to the park entrance; there is a parking area and the Beacon Rock trailhead is adjacent to the lot, only a short walk to the start of the trail. (The site is also reachable from Portland, OR by crossing into Washington and following WA‑14 east along the Columbia.)
Tips for Visiting Beacon Rock State Park #
- Start early in the day (weekday mornings are best) to secure limited parking at the trailhead and enjoy calmer conditions on the exposed summit trail.
- Plan to hike to the top rather than stopping at lower viewpoints-many visitors turn back early, but the summit switchbacks reward you with the best panoramic views of the Columbia River Gorge.
- If the main parking lot is full on busy summer weekends, try visiting later in the afternoon or park in nearby towns and use a short shuttle/taxi; avoiding peak mid-day times reduces crowding on the narrow trail.
Best Time to Visit Beacon Rock State Park #
Late spring through early fall (May-October) is the best time for hiking Beacon Rock and enjoying clearer weather and trail conditions.
Weather & Climate near Beacon Rock State Park #
Beacon Rock State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 25°C. Heavy rainfall (2177 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (332 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (260 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (223 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (323 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (346 mm).
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