Beacon Rock Trail

The Beacon Rock Trail climbs 52 switchbacks to the top of Beacon Rock, more than 840 feet above the Columbia River. It is 1.8 miles round trip, rated easy to moderate by Washington State Parks, and open from 8 a.m. to dusk. From October 1 through the end of May it closes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday while the trail's decking is replaced, so plan a Friday-to-Monday visit in that season.

Where the Trail Starts

The trail begins at the bulletin board at the east end of the Beacon Rock Trailhead parking lot, beside State Route 14 at the foot of the rock. Parking needs a Discover Pass. If the lot is full, the River to Rock Trail reaches the same spot from the Moorage Road side of the park. See parking and directions.

What the Climb Is Like

• Built onto the rock: the trail is carved out of and attached to the rock face, with railings, bridges and concrete landings on the steepest parts. Washington State Parks calls it exposed.
• Grade: Henry Biddle laid it out with a maximum grade of 15 percent, so it climbs steadily rather than steeply.
• Distance: 1.8 miles there and back. Most of the effort is in the switchbacks on the upper rock.
• Who can use it: hikers only. No bikes or horses.
• Interpretive panels along the way explain the rock's history and geology.

The View from the Top

From the summit you look up and down the Columbia River Gorge. The agency's trailhead sheet names three landmarks: Bonneville Dam upstream, the Pierce National Wildlife Refuge below, and the Gorge itself in both directions.

Weekday Closures, October to May

Washington State Parks posted the closure on July 13, 2026: the Beacon Rock Trail has multi-day closures each week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from October 1 through the end of May, unless otherwise noted, while the trail decking is replaced. The trail can't be used at all during those days. Questions go to the park office at (509) 427-8265. The rest of the park stays open, so a closed day is a good day for Hamilton Mountain or the Doetsch Walking Path.

A Trail Built by One Man's Idea

Vancouver geologist Henry J. Biddle bought Beacon Rock in 1915, saying he wanted it only so he could build a trail to the top. With Charles Johnson he built it from October 1915 to April 1918 at a personal cost of $10,000, without a survey, because the rock was too steep to survey. The finished trail was 4,500 feet long and 4 feet wide, with 52 switchbacks, 22 bridges and more than 100 concrete slabs spanning gaps in the cliffs. The Civilian Conservation Corps improved it in the late 1930s. Read the full story on the history page.

Tips Before You Go

• Check the day: Tuesday through Thursday is closed from October to May.
• Go early: the park opens at 8 a.m., and the trailhead lot is small.
• Hold the rail: the drop-offs are real and the landings can be wet.
• Dogs: Washington State Parks allows leashed dogs in the park; on this trail, keep them close on the narrow ramps.
• No climbing gear needed for the trail. Technical climbing on the rock is a separate activity with its own rules: see rock climbing.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a short hike with a big view, families with older kids who can hold a railing, and first-time visitors to the Gorge. Maybe skip if heights bother you (the trail is exposed), or you want waterfalls and a longer day: choose Hamilton Mountain or the Pool of the Winds. For a flat, paved walk, try the Doetsch Walking Path.