The park takes its name from Beacon Rock, an 848-foot (258 m) basalt volcanic plug on the north shore of the Columbia River 32 miles (51 km) east of Vancouver.

On October 31, 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived here and first measured tides on the river, indicating that they were nearing the ocean.

[2] Beacon Rock is an 848-foot-tall (258 m) monolith composed of basalt on the north bank of the Columbia River.

[3][4] Henry J. Biddle purchased the rock in 1915 for $1 and during the next three years constructed a trail with 51 switchbacks, handrails and bridges.

The park's 4,464 acres (1,807 ha) include 9,500 feet (2,900 m) of Columbia River shoreline and forested uplands with 20 miles (32 km) of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails.