| Beacon Rock State Park was originally named by Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean on October 31, 1805. It was near Beacon Rock that they first measured tidal influences from the ocean on the Columbia River. In 1811, Alexander Ross of the John Jacob Astor expedition called the rock "Inoshoack Castle."The rock was known as "Castle Rock" until, in 1916, the United States Board of Geographic Names restored the name "Beacon Rock." Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock in order to build a trail to the top. The trail was built, and in 1935 his heirs turned the rock over to the state for use as a park.Additional development was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The park provides 33 campsites, 71 picnic sites, 5 comfort stations, 5 kitchen shelters, 2 adirondack shelters in group camp, 2 primitive campsites, 2 boat launch ramps, dock, 2 residences, shop/ service buildings, unorganized group camp area, 1 mile trail to the top of Beacon Rock, plus 8.5 mile loop trail to Hamilton Mountain and return. 13 miles of fire road open to equestrian, mountain bike, and hiking use.Beacon Rock offers excellent opportunities for rock climbing except where it interferes with nesting raptors, primarily on the south face. The presence of the falcon nest requires that the south face be closed to technical rock activity February 1 to July 15 annually. The east face is closed year-round due to environmental sensitivity. There is fishing on the lower Columbia River, below Bonneville Dam, for sturgeon, salmon, steelhead, bass and walleye. The park is a popular site for weddings.Beacon Rock is the core of an ancient volcano. The ice-age floods through the Columbia River Gorge eroded the softer material away, leaving this unique geological structure standing by itself on the banks of the Columbia River. |
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