“Wild hearts find a home in every place they roam.” – C. Churchill
I have to say last minute adventures always excite me and this was one of many highlights of my solo road trip. To fall in love with new places and create memories I will carry with me wherever I go. Hiking Beacon Rock’s 848-foot summit with 578′ gain was fairly easy with 53 switchbacks and only 1.8 miles round trip. The 360-degree view of the Columbia River Gorge was mesmerizing that I could just spend an entire day there appreciating the spectacular view.
This is a very busy trail and it gets really crowded. If you ever get the chance to visit this trail you’ll notice it is windy on one side and completely calm on the other side. I wish I lived close by. This would be classified as one of my favorite hikes. Short and sweet. Just the way I like it.
Start of Trail
Once you climb the switchbacks and get past the trees. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views.
It feels like never-ending switchbacks to get to the top. I honestly didn’t get tired because the view was so distracting along the way.
The view once I reached the top of Beacon Rock.
My Tips for this trip:
1. Go early and avoid the crowds.
2. A discovery pass is required. You can purchase it on the trailhead for $10. Bring cash and a pen since you need to write on the envelope.
3. Bring water.
5. Check the temperature before visiting. It can get really cold there.
6. Wear hiking shoes or trail running shoes. The trail is fairly easy but it’s better to have shoes with good grip. Please check out the link below from Amazon for recommended trail running shoes.
Disclosure: Please be aware I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no additional cost to you. Please read Amazon Affiliate Disclosure and Affiliate Disclosure
Trail running shoes
7. Bring snacks in case you get hungry.
8. Take lots of pictures and enjoy the hike.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Please feel free to comment. I’d love to hear from you.
Add me on Instagram @roadsbeltravelled or on Twitter @belcharm.
I really appreciate the time and effort you placed into this article and the pics. I love nature and seeing God’s magnificent handiwork. His designs are breathtaking!!! Looks like you really enjoyed this! Keep traveling and sharing it is good for the soul. It is like being there…but not really.
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Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. It is truly God’s magnificent handiwork for sure! And I did enjoy it immensely.
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Wow!
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What a fun blog! Your day trips are just my style. I will have to read more.
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Thank you! Happy you like it 😊
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Thank you 😊
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What a wonderful escape. It looks so peaceful and serene. ☮️
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Yes, it was definitely unforgettable! Thank you 😊
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NIce!!!!
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Thanks 😊
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A beautiful and amazing creation of Nature.🌺🌺🌺🌺
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Yes it really is gorgeous 😊
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Yeah.😊🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
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I am all about doing things on a budget. You have a beautiful blog. Thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures and information.
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Yes, it’s the only way I travel 😊 Thank you!
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I would have loved to hike that beautiful area before my body decided to give out! Great photos!
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Thank you! I wish you got the chance to hike it as well.
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💜
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Beautiful! Thank You and Cheers!!! 🙂
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You’re welcome 😊
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Great…😊
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😊
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Awesome. Thrilling and peaceful at the same time. I loved it.
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Thank you! It was amazing. 😊
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I have to add this to my list!
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Yes! It’s amazing 😊
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Beauty and peace for sure.
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It truly is a beautiful place 😊
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Lovely pictures!!…. thank you for sharing a part of your world and your adventures!!.. 🙂
“Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.”
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Thank you for yor kind words. I love the quote as well 😊
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I nominated you for the 1-2-3 Quote Me Challenge!
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Thank you 😊
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Your blog and pics are inspiring especially since I’m about to take a road trip on an upcoming move out of state. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! Your road trip will be fun for sure – so much to explore 😊
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Beautiful Travelogue Anand Bose from Kerala
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Thank you! 😊
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Hand rails are always a welcome addition to walking. The wooden walkways are beautiful as well. Lucky you!
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Yes, it helps especially when you’re so tired of hiking all the way to the top. It’s really gorgeous. Thank you 😊
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I live with n Hood River, Oregon and have been to beacon rock many times. It is a cool place. I’m a runner so after I run it I usually go across the road and up the hill and run “Hamilton Mountain “ which is much longer but is all dirt trail. Thanks for sharing! The Trainer (RN)* Personal Trainer, “One On One Only”
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You’re lucky to live close to such a lovely place. Definitely a scenic run for you! Thank you for your comment 😊
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Your welcome! I used to live in Kentucky and it was fine but there isn’t many really good trails. I love the Columbia River Gorge !
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It’s gorgeous out there. So many trails to explore 😊
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Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Thank you 😊
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I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award! See my post: https://whattodothismonth.wordpress.com/2019/04/04/mystery-blogger-award/
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Thanks for the nomination 😊
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Yes, the scenery looks awe-inspiring, but I love your photos. You have a very creative eye and capture that very nicely in the composition of your photos. Beautiful!
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Thank you! I appreciate the kind words. The scenery is breathtaking which makes it easy to capture 😊
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Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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Thanks for the reblog 😊
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Gorgeous pictures!
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Thank you 😊
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That brings back the memories. It’s been too long…
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Time for a visit 😊
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Beautiful … doesn’t seem like a place for anyone scared of heights.
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It is truly beautiful. Thank you 😊
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Breathtaking!
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Thank you 😊
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This place looks very cool!I want to go here.Your photos are wonderful.
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Thank you. I really is a great place. 😊
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Many thanx for sharing your pics of this awesome hike, Bel.
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You’re welcome! Glad you liked it 😊
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Thoroughly interesting.
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Thank you 😊
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I love the views at the end!
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Totally worth it 😊
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The Great Northwest. There is where you find beauty.
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There is definitely so much to see 😊
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Very cool. I like!
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Thank you 😊
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I see we are kittycorner each other in Washington. I’m in the upper NE near colville
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I don’t live in Washington – this was just one of many roadtrips. It’s a beautiful state for sure and I barely scratched the surface. 😊
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Magnificent. Preserved nature.
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It truly is! Thank you 😊
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It cracks me up that I have to rely on you to tell me about all the great places to visit in my own backyard. Thanks, Bel. You actually have inspired us to get off our duffs and explore. This one sounds great, although I will be panting after climbing those switchbacks! Love the photos. Happy Travels.
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I’m guilty of that too. I haven’t even been to the National and State Parks that are close to where I live 😂 It’s just there I can visit it anytime mindset probably…😊 You won’t be panting too much…trust me, I’m a lazy hiker. Let me know when you go – can’t wait for you to see it! ❤️
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It’s really close (by west coast standards). Only a couple hours away. 🙂
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Lol! Yes…a couple of hours is close by because with traffic that’s my everyday commute in LA.
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Ugh. I’ve heard that the traffic in LA is horrible (my son lives down there). Have a great weekend, Bel. 🙂
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Happy Weekend Diana! 😊
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Great hike! Thanks for all the information!
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You’re welcome! 😊
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Looks gorgeous!
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Thank you 😊
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That is a prodigious number of switchbacks! I love the little tunnels on the trail and that one picture through the rock to see the mountain across the river is stunning! Framable! I love your posts!
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Thank you! And yes the number of switchbacks is intimidating at first but once you get the hang of it – you’ll love it. I call them mini switchbacks. The Tunnel is my favorite too 😊
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Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing. Adding this one to my list.
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Thank you! So glad you liked it. There’s camping in the area too 😊
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Fantastic!
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😊
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hokey smokes, batman. that’s a wild trail.
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Wildly beautiful isn’t it?! 😊
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for sure. some of your photos make it look perilous, but upon closer inspection, i can see that it’s relatively safe. still, i wouldn’t want to be the one who installed the rails.
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Yeah the path is wide enough and not narrow like some other hikes and the railings help. Still quite dangerous if one slips or trips…
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yeah, don’t do that. always enjoy your travels.
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I try not to 😂
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I love Washington, and have always wanted to return there. I visited briefly for a business trip to Seattle and fell in love. Thanks for sharing this park! I like short hikes, too. Lol
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I haven’t been to Seattle but it’s definitely on my list. I bet I’d fall in love with Seattle too ❤️ Short hikes with amazing views are the best 😂 I’ve been to longer hikes but it wears me out 😱
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Thanks for sharing the park with us
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You’re welcome. Thanks for taking time to read it 😊
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My pleasure
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