Beacon Rock - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Summer 8 a.m. - dusk Winter 8 a.m. - dusk

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A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One pass can be transferred between two vehicles. The fees are as follows (add transaction/dealer fees, $5 for the annual Discover Pass and $1.50 for the one-day pass.): Annual pass: $30 One-day pass: $10

lat: 45.6285834 long: -122.0222041

Located outside of Skamania, Washington, overlooking the Columbia River sits the 848- foot-tall Beacon Rock.

Beacon Rock is the eroded basalt plug of an ancient volcano that was seen by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition. On October 31, 1805, Captain Clark described it in his journal as “… a remarkable high rock on Stard. Side about 800 feet high & 400 yards round…”

Today the site sits on what is now the Beacon Rock State Park. In the 1800s the rock’s name was changed to Castle Rock and purchased by Henry Biddie. In 1915 Biddie restored the name of the rock to Beacon Rock, and subsequently cruntructed a trail to the top and donated it to the state of Washington. Beacon Rock was designated a state park in 1935.

Today, Beacon Rock boasts great views and many different outdoor adventures. With a walking trail, rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and cycling trails; and with impressive views from any vantage point within the park, there is sure to be a magnificent vista awaiting you at the end of it.

The park also includes 9,500 feet of freshwater shores and over 26 miles of roads and trails. There are also designated picnicking and camping locations around the park. The rock itself has a switchback hiking trail that is a mile long, which ends with a fantastic view of the Columbia River and the Beacon Rock Park.

Beacon Rock is a treasure of nature preserved.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Beacon Rock State Park

Beacon Rock State Park

Beacon Rock State Park, Washington 14, Stevenson, WA, USA
Distance: 0.00 Away

Walks and Hikes Outdoor Experiences

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Beacon Rock Golf Course and Restaurant

Beacon Rock Golf Course and Restaurant

Beacon Rock Golf Course Restaurant, Grenia Road, North Bonneville, WA, USA
Distance: 1.94 Away

Food and Drinks Fun and Sports

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Bradford Island Visitor Center at Bonneville Lock and Dam

Bradford Island Visitor Center at Bonneville Lock and Dam

J3R4+MH Bonneville, OR, USA
Distance: 3.90 Away

Guided Tours Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Tribal Salmon – Ft. Rains, WA

Tribal Salmon – Ft. Rains, WA

Fort Rains, WA, USA
Distance: 5.34 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Columbia River Salmon Sales and Cascade Villages: Fort Raines, Washington

Columbia River Salmon Sales and Cascade Villages: Fort Raines, Washington

Fort Rains, Washington, USA
Distance: 5.34 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences Forts

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Multnomah Falls and Lodge

Multnomah Falls and Lodge

Multnomah Falls Lodge, Historic Columbia River Highway, Bridal Veil, OR, USA
Distance: 5.80 Away

Outdoor Experiences Viewpoints Walks and Hikes

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Bridge of the Gods

Bridge of the Gods

Bridge of the Gods, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 6.30 Away

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Tribal Salmon – Bridgeside Restaurant Parking Lot

Tribal Salmon – Bridgeside Restaurant Parking Lot

Bridgeside, Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 6.44 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Columbia River Salmon Sales: Cascade Locks, Oregon

Columbia River Salmon Sales: Cascade Locks, Oregon

681 Cascade Locks Highway, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 6.54 Away

Galleries and Venues Food and Drinks

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Brigham Fish Market

Brigham Fish Market

Brigham Fish Market, Wa Na Pa Street, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 6.54 Away

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Tribal Salmon – Cascade Locks Treaty In-Lieu Site

Tribal Salmon – Cascade Locks Treaty In-Lieu Site

Cascade Locks Marine Park, 355 Wa Na Pa St, Cascade Locks, OR 97014, USA
Distance: 6.61 Away

Food and Drinks Tribal Experiences

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Cascade Locks Historical Museum

Cascade Locks Historical Museum

Cascade Locks Historical Museum, Southwest Portage Road, Cascade Locks, OR, USA
Distance: 6.64 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the

Are you close to the Lewis and Clark Trail in the Cincinnati area? Do you need to hike off some of those Thanksgiving pounds? Check out the California Woods Nature Preserve!

California Woods, located in the California neighborhood east of Cincinnati, contains 113-acres of forest and year-round education programming for all nature lovers! The park features 53 species of trees, more than 200 species of herbaceous plants and is adjacent to the Magrish Preserve, which has been designated as an Important Birding Area. Lick Run Creek passes through this preserve, and is home to kingfishers, snapping turtles, small fish, a myriad of invertebrates and the occasional visit from grebes, mallards, wood ducks, and even beavers.

Take a hike on one of California’s trails, and be on the lookout for pileated woodpeckers and perhaps you’ll also spot a great horned owl among the tall sycamores. There is also a beautiful butterfly and hummingbird garden located directly in front of the nature center.

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/california-woods-nature-preserve/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #californiawoodsnaturepreserve #cincinnati #ohio