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We hiked River to Rock trail today. It says "moderate" on all trails, but we hiked it with my 2 & 4 year old just fine! It is not stroller friendly, everyone needs to be able to walk. It's only 1.6 miles and lots of pretty view of Beacon Rock, the river, and we even got to see some wildflowers! (It's currently early March.) We started at the trailhead under the train bridge, at the bottom. We hiked all the way to the Beacon Rock trailhead. You can hike it either way. As beautiful as it was, even with some rain, I'm super excited to go back and see it in spring when all the flowers and birds are out! We did see a bluejay today! Oh, and we didn't know this, but you DO NEED A DISCOVER PASS TO PARK WHERE WE PARKED down by the train bridge (where all trails navigated us to.) I don't know if you'd need a pass if you park at the other entrance off the 14. But it was only $35 for the whole year and we will definitely get our moneys worth, so no biggie. (I think they are about $12 for a day pass.)
Amazing views and amazing time over there. We all having fun and swimming and having a picnic, if you live around try to get the 30 USD year pass (10 per day) and if you are coming with your boat, the parking is 70cents per day. It amazing to spend a long weekend, they have bathroom and shower (only accept quarters and give you 1.5 min of warm water)
Beautiful place, nice parking areas and clean bathrooms/showers. There were small groups of people here and there. It's a sort of big park so everyone had lots of space. Nice boat ramp too. A few people fished off of the boardwalk.
This is one of our favorite places to dock our boat. Although the dock itself could use an upgrade, the area is extremely well maintained, with a beautiful bathroom/shower up above in the lot. The park rangers are very kind and actively make sure the area is safe and respected. With power and pump out, you are pretty much good to go with any boat. There is no water at the dock just FYI. The scenery is breath taking and the water there is really safe to swim or paddle board in. We love this spot, love, love, love
Great place to use the restroom 🚻 (flushing toilets) and grab a free shower (they no longer charge for the showers)!
HOWEVER, beware that you are REQUIRED to have a Discovery Pass in order to park here and/or use the facilities.
Also, the park/boat ramp "closes" at 8pm or "dusk."
**Please be advised that there are some Park Rangers who take this "rule" a little too much to the "minute."**
I have been told, more like scolded, 2x now by the same Ranger for being seated in my car after 8 pm within the park. I was doing nothing more than gathering myself together after having taken a shower (it was very HOT out, and I was trying not to sweat after my shower) and the 2nd time I had been waiting my turn to use the facilities, as it was very busy, and it got late (after 8pm).
Other than my poor encounters with that particular Ranger, I love coming here.
Hot water for days.
Cold water when you need it.
And all FREE, except for having to have a Discovery Pass.
I took pictures of the 2 campsites that are located here at the boat launch. The sites have fire rings and picnic tables. They are available on a first come, first served basis. There is a pay station where you can pay by card. Otherwise, there are envelopes for cash.
