New day-use area set for Beacon Rock State Park

Tacoma, WA, May 21, 2007

The State Parks and Recreation Commission is celebrating the opening of a new day-use area at Beacon Rock State Park with a Wednesday ceremony that will highlight a new bridge, intersection and entrance road to the area.

The ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the park on Highway 14, approximately 24 miles east of Vancouver, Wash.

The new area includes 230 acres of open space for picnicking, river access and bird-watching, as well as restricted-access wildlife habitat. The area has parking for 34 boat trailers, 10 recreational vehicles and 30 cars, which will be increased to 64 vehicle parking spaces as demand increases. The area also has a comfort station and a 1.1-mile, ADA-accessible interpretive trail.

The $1.45 million day-use area was paid for with funds from the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program through the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation and the U.S. Forest Service.

Beacon Rock State Park is known for the ancient volcanic core that stands high above the Columbia River. Beacon Rock offers hiking and technical climbing opportunities for visitors. The year-round camping park also features more than 20 miles of roads and trails open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use.