Palouse Falls
Eastern WashingtonBest Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
Washington's official state waterfall drops 200 feet into a basalt amphitheater carved by the Missoula Floods.
About This Trail
Palouse Falls is less of a hike and more of a pilgrimage. You drive a long way through open scablands, park at the rim, and walk a short gravel path to one of the most dramatic geological sites in the Pacific Northwest. The Palouse River pours nearly 200 feet over a horseshoe cliff into a basalt bowl that was shaped by catastrophic Ice Age floods roughly 15,000 years ago. The columnar basalt walls alone are worth the visit.
Set your expectations accordingly: all routes into the canyon and to the base of the falls were permanently closed in 2022 after years of injuries on user-created bootpaths. The campground is also permanently closed with no overnight parking allowed. What remains is a short loop along the rim with fenced viewpoints, plus a gravel path upstream. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes at the overlook, not a full day of hiking.
That said, this place delivers. Come at sunset and the light paints the canyon walls orange. Spring runoff (March through May) brings the falls to full volume. Watch for yellow-bellied marmots sunning on the rocks and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes in warmer months. Pair it with Steptoe Butte or Kamiak Butte for a proper Eastern Washington road trip.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- rattlesnakes in warm months
- unfenced cliff edges near social trails
- extreme summer heat
Getting There
Single paved lot at the trailhead. Discover Pass required. No overnight parking. Can fill up on spring weekends when the falls are at peak flow.
Short gravel loop from the parking area to fenced viewpoints along the canyon rim. A second path heads upstream for additional vantage points. All canyon descent routes are permanently closed and fenced off.
Late afternoon arrival for the best light. Sunset photographers should plan to stay until golden hour. Summer midday visits are brutally hot with no shade at the viewpoints.
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