Plan Your Visit

To plan a day at Beacon Rock State Park, pick one big hike and one short one: the 1.8-mile Beacon Rock Trail and the 2.52-mile waterfall walk on Hamilton Mountain fit easily into a morning. The park is open 8 a.m. to dusk all year, about 40 minutes from Portland and Vancouver, and parking needs a Discover Pass. Picnic tables are first-come; kitchen shelters can be reserved. Questions go to the park office at (509) 427-8265 or Beacon.Rock@parks.wa.gov.

A Half Day

1. Arrive at 8 a.m. and climb the Beacon Rock Trail (1.8 miles round trip) before the lot fills. From October to May, avoid Tuesday to Thursday.
2. Drive across the highway to the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead and walk to Rodney Falls and the Pool of the Winds (2.52 miles round trip).
3. Picnic at the Lower Picnic Area.

A Full Day

1. Hike Hamilton Mountain as a loop through The Saddle (7.87 miles).
2. Finish on the flat Doetsch Walking Path by the river, or climb the rock if your legs allow.
3. Stay the night in the campground and walk to Little Beacon Rock from camp in the morning.

With Kids or Limited Mobility

• Doetsch Walking Path: 1.2 miles, paved and flat, listed as ADA accessible.
• Little Beacon Rock: 0.5 miles round trip from the campground.
• Playground and accessible restrooms and parking are on the park's amenity list.

Picnics, Shelters and Permits

The park has reservable kitchen shelters and first-come picnic tables. A Special Activity Permit is needed for some weddings (depending on size), company picnics, festivals, scout events and organized races, and for any of these:

• Setups outside the structures, such as large tents or many tables and chairs.
• Signs or decorations around the park.
• Amplified music or speakers.
• Paid contractors, such as caterers or rental deliveries.
• Alcohol served by a bartender.

Summer Ice Cream

The park page lists Better Together Scoops serving ice cream, snacks and drinks from June 18 to September 3, Fridays 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and weekends 1 to 3 p.m. Outside those times, plan to bring your own food and water.

Dogs and Horses

Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than eight feet; clean up after them. Horses are allowed on the multi-use trails from the Equestrian Trailhead. See hiking, biking and horses.

Before You Go

• Check the alerts on the official park page for trail and climbing closures.
• Bring a Discover Pass or cash or a card for the pay station.
• Download the trail map.
• Read the rules, including the current burn ban.