Hamilton Mountain and Rodney Falls Hike

The natural beauty of Beacon Rock State Park never fails to impress, and the hike up Hamilton Mountain is an especially enjoyable way to take it all in. This hike also takes you to Rodney Falls, which is a gorgeous midpoint rest or a great turnaround point for hikers not wanting to complete the entire 8ft trip.

This beautiful hike follows a well-maintained trail lined by wildflowers, old-growth fir trees, and strawberries. You can either do it as an out and back or a loop, but our guide reflects the slightly longer but more varied loop trail.

You’ll begin from the trailhead, taking the obvious path. It’s wide and well-kept, leading you past ancient trees as you warm up.

About a mile into the hike, listen for the waterfalls. There’s a steep spur trail that leads down to Hardy Falls if you want to take a look. Further on you’ll find the spur trail to Rodney Falls, which is undoubtedly more impressive. You’ll see the upper falls from the viewpoint on the spur trail and the lower falls once you’re back on the main trail.

Expect the grade to increase after the falls. There are stairs in the trail to help you out. You’ll come to a junction signed “Hamilton Mountain, More Difficult” and “Hardy Creek Trail, Difficult”. We’re going “more difficult” here.

Hike through the switchbacks to the top of Hamilton Mountain. The views of the Cascades are fantastic here, but heading about three-quarters of a mile northwest on the loop trail takes you to a ridge with an even better view.

Once you reach the far northern end of the trail, you’ll be directed to the Hardy Creek Trail. Take this, heading down an old road bed. Near the creek, there’s a large intersection. Go left here and take a well-built trail to the junction with the Hamilton Mountain Trail. Turn right and return to the parking lot.

Hiking Route Highlights

Columbia River Gorge

The view from Hamilton Mountain features the Columbia River Gorge, where the river slices through the mountains. You can see a wide swath of the gorge from the mountain, looking across the blue flowing water to the tree-clad mountains in both directions. You can also enjoy a great view of the Cascades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Hamilton Mountain?

Hamilton Mountain is 2400ft tall.

Can you swim in Beacon Rock State Park?

The water in this area is not sampled for E.coli. You can swim but the water quality is not guaranteed.