Beacon Rock State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beacon Rock State Park |
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Beacon Rock viewed from the west
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 Beacon Rock State Park
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Skamania County, Washington, United States |
| Nearest city | North Bonneville, Washington |
| Area | 4,464 acres (18.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 848 ft (258 m) |
| Designation | Washington state park |
| Established | 1935 |
| Administrator | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Beacon Rock State Park |
Beacon Rock State Park is a cool outdoor spot in Washington. It's located along Route 14 in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge area. The park is named after Beacon Rock, a giant rock that stands 848 feet (258 meters) tall.
This huge rock is a volcanic plug. This means it's made of hardened lava that once filled the vent of an ancient volcano. On October 31, 1805, the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition explorers saw Beacon Rock. They noticed the river's tides here, which told them they were getting close to the ocean!
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What is Beacon Rock?
Beacon Rock is a massive rock formation. It's made of a type of rock called basalt. This rock stands tall on the north bank of the Columbia River.
Lewis and Clark first named it "Beaten Rock" in 1805. Later, they called it "Beacon Rock." They realized this rock marked how far the ocean's tides reached up the Columbia River. For a while, people called it "Castle Rock." But in 1915, its original name, "Beacon Rock," was brought back.
Building the Trail
In 1915, a man named Henry J. Biddle bought Beacon Rock for just $1. He spent the next three years building a special trail to the top. This trail has 51 switchbacks (zig-zag turns), handrails, and bridges.
The trail is about three-quarters of a mile long. It was finished in April 1918. When you reach the top, you get amazing views in every direction!
Saving the Rock
At one point, the United States Army Corps of Engineers wanted to destroy Beacon Rock. They planned to use its material to build a jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River. They even dug three caves on the rock's south side.
But Henry J. Biddle's family worked hard to make it a state park. At first, Washington State didn't want the gift. However, when Oregon offered to take it, Washington changed its mind. The park was officially created in 1935. Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps later made improvements to the park that are still used today.
Is it the Biggest Monolith?
Beacon Rock is often called one of the largest free-standing monoliths (a single, huge rock) in the Northern Hemisphere or even the world. Some compare it to the Rock of Gibraltar or Stone Mountain.
However, what counts as a "monolith" can be tricky. Some other large rocks, like Devils Tower in Wyoming, are bigger. But they are formed differently, so they might not be called a "monolith" in the same way. No matter what, Beacon Rock is definitely a very impressive and huge rock!
Fun Things to Do at Beacon Rock State Park
Beacon Rock State Park is a great place for outdoor adventures! It covers 4,464 acres and has 9,500 feet of shoreline along the Columbia River. The park also has lots of forested areas.
You can enjoy many activities here:
- Hiking: There are 20 miles of trails for hiking. You can hike to the top of Beacon Rock itself or explore other paths.
- Mountain Biking: Some trails are perfect for mountain biking.
- Horseback Riding: You can also ride horses on certain trails.
- Boating: The park has facilities for boating on the Columbia River.
- Camping: You can even camp overnight at the park.
- Rock Climbing: For experienced climbers, Beacon Rock offers challenging technical rock climbing.
There are also beautiful natural sights to see. You can find Hardy Falls and Rodney Falls (also known as Pool of the Winds) along the trail to the top of Hamilton Mountain. Hamilton Mountain is 2,445 feet (745 meters) tall. From its summit, you can see the Bonneville Dam and views stretching to the east. There's even a 7.75-mile (12.5 km) loop hike that takes you around Hamilton Mountain and offers views of Table Mountain.
