Beacon Rock State Park

Story

Beacon Rock State Park is a publicly owned recreation area and natural history site on Route 14 in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area about east of Vancouver, Washington, United States. The state park covers, which includes of Columbia River shoreline and of forested uplands.The park takes its name from Beacon Rock, an 848ft basalt volcanic plug next to the Columbia River. On October 31, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived here and first measured tides on the river, indicating that they were nearing the ocean.Beacon RockBeacon Rock is a monolith on the north bank of the Columbia River. It was named by Lewis and Clark in 1805; they originally referred to it as Beaten Rock, later as Beacon Rock. They noted that the rock marked the eastern extent of the tidal influence in the Columbia. The rock was later known as Castle Rock, until 1915 when its name was changed back to Beacon Rock.Beacon Rock is 848ft tall and is composed of basalt. Henry Biddle purchased the rock in 1915 for $1 and during the next three years constructed a trail with 51 switchbacks, handrails and bridges. The three-quarter mile trail to the top, completed in April 1918, leads to views in all directions. It is a popular hiking destination.