Gorge Discovery Center Gorge Interpretive Center US Forest Service Gifford Pinchot Nat. It's considered the largest geologic monolith in the New World, second in size only to the Rock of Gibraltar.
Beacon Rock is similar in formation to Haystack Rock on the Oregon Coast.
Unlike Haystack, however, you don't need to be a professional rock climber to ascend this edifice, thanks to a pioneering group of trailbuilders who assembled a series of walkways. Beacon Rock is the centerpiece of Beacon Rock State Park. In addition to the monolith trail, there are also longer hikes to Rodney Falls and Hamilton Mountain. Park at the base of the monolith and look for the climbing trail to the west. Campsites are located in the state park, via the access road on the north side of the highway.