The Palouse Falls in Washington, USA at sunrise

Overview

In the past we’ve largely focused our destination series on the west sides of Washington and Oregon. This month, we thought we’d shine the spotlight on some popular tourism hotspots right here in eastern Washington. When it comes to natural wonders, we have our fair share hidden in the expansive shrub-steppe beyond our back yards. There is perhaps no better place to start this endeavor than with the stunning Palouse Falls. A magnificent waterfall on the Palouse River, the site draws hikers, travelers, and photographers from throughout the region.

The Park

The central feature of the park is a sheer 200 ft cliff over which the Palouse River falls. It empties into an underlying canyon, forming a powerful tidal pool at the basin. Surrounding the waterfall itself are numerous hiking trails, picnic tables, and viewpoints. One trail leads down a steep, rocky inclination into the lower canyon. This particular trail is reserved for more advanced hikers and is known to be rather dangerous. If you plan to trek down to the tidal pool on this trail, exercise caution. There are public restrooms available near the parking area, and several picnic tables providing a scenic overview of the waterfall. Along with a nearby campground, Palouse Falls has the amenities to warrant a day trip or weekend getaway.

Geology

The sheer walls of the canyon are comprised of basalts over 100 feet tall. Both the waterfall and surrounding canyon are part of the channeled scablands formed by the Great Missoula Floods. We’ve previously covered these floods in our article on Historic Lake Lewis. If you’d like to learn more on the subject, feel free to read that article through the link above. These monumentally powerful floods swept through our region between about 2.5 million and 11,000 years ago. They carved awesome scars into the surface of the landscape that we now call home. The coulees, rock benches, and buttes that surround the falls are a prime example of these scars. They can be seen all along the drive between the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

History

Before settlers arrived in the region, the Palouse people had been using the falls for access to the nearby plateaus. Later, the U.S. Army took advantage of the area with the construction of the Mullan Road. This became the first road in history to cross the Rocky Mountains and enter the inland Pacific Northwest. Palouse Falls was eventually designated a State Park in 1951. Most amenities we mentioned earlier came shortly thereafter. The newly formed State Park gained notoriety throughout the region, securing its place on the list of Washington State’s wonders.

Directions

If you’ve never visited Palouse Falls, its makes for an excellent day trip from the Tri-Cities. Only about an hour northeast of Kennewick, it’s easy to reach and easy to return home. Take Highway 395 north out of Pasco, following signs for Spokane. At Connell, take the eastbound exit onto Highway 260 toward Kahlotus.  Head through the town and shortly beyond you’ll see signs for Palouse Falls on you right. Safe travels and enjoy your visit! If you want to learn more about planning your trip, you can follow up on the official National Park Service website here.

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