Visit Washington’s remote and remarkable Palouse Falls State Park

Palouse Falls State Park is located in rural southeastern Washington State. The park is roughly an hour and a half from the Tri-Cities, Spokane, and Pullman.

Palouse Falls State Park is only about 100 acres. Still, what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for with incredible scenery. The park protects the 200-foot-tall Palouse Falls along the Palouse River, a few miles north of the confluence with the Snake River. Geologists estimate the natural wonder was carved more than 13,000 years ago.

Exploring Palouse Falls State Park

Today, when visiting Palouse Falls State Park, there are a few things to remember. First, parking is limited, and the park is very popular. The lot will fill up fast, especially on the weekends and holidays. There are many different viewpoints to enjoy the falls. The lower viewpoint gives visitors a direct view. It is reached by stairs from the main day-use area adjacent to the parking lot. The second viewpoint is at the end of the interpretive path. There are signs explaining the canyon’s geology that are worth taking a few seconds to read. The Fryxell Overlook offers an incredible sweeping panoramic view of the falls and the Palouse River Canyon. All three views are short hikes.

There is a small campground, but you want to check with the park and make sure it’s open before banking on spending the night there. Palouse Falls State Park is very popular with birders. While you are there, keep an eye peeled for raptors soaring in the sky. In the summer, the area can be brutally hot. You are going to want to make sure you bring plenty of water.

The park is a stop along the official Ice Age Floods National Geological Trail and is worth visiting. In 2014, Palouse Falls became the official waterfall of Washington State.