Beacon Rock State Park is a 4,456-acre, year-round camping park located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Beacon Rock is an olivine basalt plug which rises 848 feet in elevation above the Columbia River. The Missoula flood washed away the softer parts of the volcano. The park includes 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on the Columbia River and more than 26 miles of roads and trails open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.
Two miles round trip from the base of the Rock to the top and back down; 600′ of elevation. The climb can be done year round, but use caution when conditions are unusually cold, wet, icy or windy. The grade on the trail is gradual with railings all the way up across 17 bridges and 54 switchbacks.