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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.
From:
Washington State Parks Website - Beacon Rock, 2001
Beacon Rock
is a basaltic andesite volcanic neck or plug.
-- Excerpt from:
Scott, et.al., 1997,
Geologic History of Mount Hood Volcano, Oregon -- A Field-Trip Guidebook:
USGS Open-File Report 97-263
Beacon Rock served as a landmark for river travelers for
hundreds of years. The Indians knew it marked the last of the
rapids on the Columbia River and the beginning of tidal influence
from the Pacific Ocean, 150 miles away. Lewis and Clark were the
first white men to see the rock. They camped at its base in
November of 1805, noting the rock in their journal and giving it
its present name. In 1811, Alexander Ross, of the John Jacob
Aster expedition, called the rock Inshoack Castle, and it was
known as "Castle Rock" until the United States Board of
Geographic Names officially restored the title of "Beacon
Rock", in 1961.
-- Excerpt from:
Washington State Parks and Recreation,
Beacon Rock State Park Website, 1997
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Beacon Rock State Park
is a 4,650-acre year-round
camping park with historic significance dating back hundreds
of years. The park includes 9,500 feet of freshwater shoreline
on the Columbia River. Located in the heart of the
Columbia River Gorge National
Scenic Area, Beacon Rock is the
core of an ancient volcano. The
mile-long trail to its summit
provides outstanding panoramic
views of the Columbia River Gorge.
The park has over 20 miles of
roads and trails open to hiking,
mountain biking and equestrian use.
Beacon Rock State Park is
located 35 miles east of Vancouver, Washington.
Follow Highway 14 east. Beacon Rock and the park entrance are located at mile
post 35.
-- Excerpt from: Washington State Parks Website, 2002
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For More State Park Information
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Link to: Washington State Parks Website
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Link to: Beacon Rock State Park Website
-- courtesy Washington State Parks
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[Map,20K,InlineGIF]
Map, Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon, showing Volcano locations including
Beacon Rock
-- Modified from: Doukas, 1990, USGS Bulletin 1859
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[Map,17K,InlineGIF]
Map, Beacon Rock
-- Modified from:
Washington State Parks and Recreation, 1997,
Beacon Rock State Park Website
Good Walking Shoes ... Grip the Handrail ... Climb ... Climb ... but well worth it ...
Fantastic Views of the Columbia River ... Picnic at the Top ...
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Summit Trail and Climbing Trail
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Looking East from Beacon Rock at the
Columbia River, Columbia River Gorge, and Oregon
-- USGS Photo by Lyn Topinka, 1988
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Beacon Rock Menu
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Columbia River Gorge Menu
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