Hamilton Mountain Trailhead (Jeff Statt)

Picnic area at the trailhead (Jeff Statt)

Alternate trailhead within Beacon Rock campground (Jeff Statt)

Winter hours posted at gate (Jeff Statt)

• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.63279, -122.01973
• Elevation: 400 feet
• Driving time from Portland: 1 hour

Hikes starting here

• Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Little Beacon Rock Loop Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Pool of the Winds Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)

Fees and Regulations

• The trailhead is within Beacon Rock State Park which, as of 2012 requires $10 day Discover pass or $30 annual.

Driving Directions

From Portland, take I-84 East and exit at Cascade Locks. Cross the Columbia River to Washington State over the Bridge of the Gods (toll required). Take a left on Rt 14 and go seven miles. Watch for Beacon Rock - it will tower in front of you as you approach the state park, which is near mile marker 35. Turn right into the campground and follow it uphill a short ways and take your first right into the small trailhead parking lot.

From Vancouver, take Rt 14 35 miles east. As you near the state park you will begin to see Beacon Rock. Turn left into the campground and follow it uphill a short ways and take your first right into the small trailhead parking lot.

Other Notes

• The gate is closed at the beginning of the road into the campground Monday through Thursday during the off-season. On Friday through Sunday it is open from 8:00AM until dusk. From late spring to early fall the gate is left open at all times. If closed, park across the street in the visitors lot for Beacon Rock and walk up the campground road to the trailhead. This adds an additional 1/2 mile round trip to your trek.

• There is another trailhead within Beacon Rock State Park in the campground area. It is at the far end of the campground loop and is marked "Hadley Trail". It is intended as a short cut for campers so they don't have to hike down the road to the normal trailhead. This 'short cut' shaves off about 0.1 mile and 175 feet of elevation gain, but has very limited parking and is intended only for the campers.

• There is a very nice picnic area near the trailhead including a nice size, relatively new playground, a pavilion and a dozen or so picnic tables. If this area is busy, there is another picnic area up the road a bit. Drive uphill about 0.2 mile and take the first left. Take that road to the end where you'll find a large pavilion and a whopping view of Beacon Rock.

Map of campground