Steptoe Butte

Steptoe Butte is a geological oddity and a world-class viewpoint. This knob of ancient quartzite, roughly 400 million years old, predates the basalt flows that buried everything around it. It stands as an island of hard rock in a sea of wind-deposited soil, and it has lent its name to the geological term "steptoe" used worldwide for any resistant rock formation protruding through younger lava.

The honest truth: most people drive to the top. A paved road winds 3,612 feet to the summit, where interpretive panels explain the geology and a picnic area provides a place to sit and take in the view. And what a view. On a clear day the Palouse stretches out in every direction, a patchwork of contour-farmed fields that photographers travel from around the world to capture. The road itself can be hiked or biked for those who want to earn the summit on foot.

Come in late spring when the fields are green and gold, or in early fall when harvest creates a checkerboard of cut and uncut wheat. Sunrise and sunset are the magic hours for photographers. The road to the summit closes in winter when conditions deteriorate, so check ahead if visiting between November and March. A Discover Pass is required. Pair this with Kamiak Butte (20 minutes south) for a full Palouse day.