Beacon Rock Trail

After a brief wooded approach, the trail gets onto the open west face. The rough, stepped path threads 17 viaducts and about 52 closely spaced switchbacks, many so tight you can see the next stretch almost directly above. Handrails line the route, and the walking surface changes between bare rock, small concrete patches, concrete platforms and wooden bridges. You’re following an engineered line pinned to the rock, not a hillside path that meanders up a forested slope. Windows open downriver toward Angel’s Rest and Cape Horn, with islands, river and steep Gorge walls below. Those open bends make the best photo stops; trees partly screen the top, so take your time with the views on the way up.

Henry Biddle and Charles Johnson cut the trail into the rock between 1915 and 1918. Plaques along the path point out their work as the trail turns back on itself again and again. Beacon Rock is the exposed core of an old volcano, and the Ice Age floods that scoured the Gorge once put the rock’s top roughly 200 feet underwater. It’s a vivid bit of geology to keep in mind as the path clings to the basalt.

Above the open face, the tread wraps around the lower south summit and climbs the east side toward the higher north summit. This part is more wooded, but gaps still look toward Hamilton Mountain and upriver toward Bonneville Dam. A handful of tall steps leads to the summit pinnacle. Reaching the top is satisfying, though trees break up some of the view; the best wide river outlooks are on the ascent. The route returns the same way. Expect other hikers on the narrow turns and bridges, especially on busy days; pause on a wider landing when you need to let people pass.

The base-of-rock lots sit just off State Route 14 inside Beacon Rock State Park. The trail begins at the west end; a Discover Pass machine and restrooms are at the east lot, and the west lot has a picnic table. The two lots hold about 30 cars together. A Discover Pass is required. Plan to carry your water from the lot; no refill is marked on the trail. Dogs are allowed on leash, up to eight feet long, but this narrow, stepped route is a poor match for pets that aren’t comfortable sharing tight platforms. If you want a much shorter walk instead, the nearby path to Riddell Lake is under half a mile round trip from the picnic area and gives a close view back toward Beacon Rock.