The first settlers in what would become Beckried were from Alamanni tribes that moved into the area over 2000 years ago.

[3] During the Middle Ages the region was part of extensive estates that were shared between Engelberg Abbey, Murbach-Lucerne and Steinen, Switzerland.

The two tower houses in the village (named: Retschrieden and Isenringen) were built in the 13th century for two local, influential families.

It consists of the village of Beckenried with the sections known as Oberdorf, Niederdorf and Dorf.

The Beckenried–Gersau car ferry links a terminal in Niederdorf with Gersau on the opposite bank of Lake Lucerne.

[7] Most of the population (as of 2000[update]) speaks German (95.3%), with English being second most common (1.0%) and Serbo-Croatian being third (0.8%).

The urban village of Beckenried and the hamlet of Ridli are both part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

[15] Starting from Beckenried the longest cable car in central Switzerland[16] brings tourists up to Klewenalp, a major holiday resort both in winter and in summer.

[21] In 2015 the average cantonal, municipal and church tax rate in the municipality for a couple with two children making SFr 80,000 was 3.2% while the rate for a single person making SFr 150,000 was 11.2%, both of which are close to the average for the canton.

[22] In the 2015 federal election the only major party which ran a candidate was the SVP which received 83.9% of the vote.