Beacon Rock State Park

The ancient volcano core, otherwise known as Beacon Rock, stands at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. At 850 feet, it’s the second largest rock in the world with outstanding panoramic views. The massive state park offers more than 20 miles of trails and year-round camping.

Beacon Rock has served as a landmark for Columbia River travelers for hundreds of years. The Lewis and Clark Expedition camped at its base in November 1805 and noted it several times in their journals under the names of "Beacon Rock" and "Beaten Rock."

The 4,650-acre Beacon Rock State Park features many activities including hiking, biking, horseback riding and rock climbing. A trail climbs to the top of Beacon Rock, but adventurous folks can climb the rock from all angles using climbing gear. The views of the gorge from the top of Beacon Rock are awe-inspiring to say the least.

Nestled along the Columbia River, this forest-and-wetlands park sustains a few birds of many species including lazuli buntings, rufous hummingbirds, western tanagers, warblers, flycatchers, vireos and band-tailed pigeons. For more birding information, see See Southwest Loop of the Great Washington State Birding Trail.

Area Birding

HABITAT: 4,690-acre park w/ coniferous forest, rock cliffs, and wetlands on Columbia River.

BIRDING: Few individuals but many species. Shrubs shelter Lazuli Buntings and Rufous Hummingbirds, and conifers host Western Tanagers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Black-throated Gray and Hermit Warblers, Pacific-slope Flycatchers, Cassin’s Vireos, and Pileated Woodpeckers. Band-tailed Pigeons eat August elderberries.

VIEWING: Two trails. At lower picnic parking area, enter forest at “trail” sign for 1.0-mile loop. At campground trailhead, take Hamilton Mt. Trail. At 0.25-mile, 0.4-mile Little Beacon Rock loop trail begins.

ACCESS: From Hwy 14 at milepost 34.9, turn north onto unnamed road, drive 0.3 mile up hill to lower picnic area or continue 0.3 mile further through campground to trailhead parking.

MORE BIRDING: From Hwy 14 at milepost 34.2, turn south onto Beacon Rock Moorage Rd. Drive 0.4 mile, bearing left. Park at moorage walkway. Set up scope on dock, find white spot on south side of Beacon Rock to watch nesting Peregrine Falcons Feb to mid-July; and Great Blue Heron rookery on nearby islands.