Beacon Rock State Park - Little Beacon Trail

Little Beacon Trail is a short spur trail off the Hadley Trail in Beacon Rock State Park over moss-covered talus to the base of Little Beacon Rock and a view of Beacon Rock.

Starting from the state park campground, follow the Hadley Trail up a few easy switchbacks to a junction with the Little Beacon Trail, found a third of a mile in. There is a trail sign and rock marker that commemorates the trail's construction by the CCC in 1939 and its restoration from 2002 to 2005 by the Chinook Trail Association.

Take a right and follow the trail constructed in the an aged talus field carpeted in bright green moss and ferns as it moves through the forest to below Little Beacon Rock. The rocks are home to pikas; maybe you will spot a few scurrying about. Mostly likely, you will only hear their shrill peep warning of your approach.

The path ends a quarter mile from the junction at a saddle between the rock with a view of Beacon Rock through the trees. You can also see the mountains on the Oregon side of the Gorge off in the distance and the Columbia River down below. Odds are that you will also enjoy some tranquility on this less-traveled trail as you take in those views and imagine yourself in mystical medieval landscape.

You can make your way back down the Little Beacon Trail and continue on the Hadley Trail to connect with the Hamilton Mountain Trail and back to the campground for a 1.9 mile loop.