Where is palouse falls washington

Even though it took me around an hour or so to exercise this option, I bumped up the difficulty because of the severe dropoff exposure hazards, especially at the top of the main falls near Castle Rock. The most straightforward way I did it was to follow the gravel path directly opposite the restrooms at the parking lot. From there, I headed towards the edge of the canyon rim on the right and looked for a steep scrambling path down to some railroad tracks.

Alternatively, instead of the gravel road, I could have taken the informal footpaths along the canyon rim as described for the exposed top views above and taken that footpath all the way to the railroad tracks access.

To get down to those tracks, I definitely made good use of the traction on my hiking boots because of the steepness and loose gravel making the footing slippery.

Once I was besides the railroad tracks, I walked towards their end where there was a foot trail on loose but stable rocks that ultimately descended into the base of the canyon. Beyond the sign, the trail led me through some vegetation towards the base of the Upper Palouse Falls. The trail continued further downstream of the upper falls as it followed a ledge between the Palouse River and the graffiti-laden cliffs. That said, the views of the waterfall were mostly blocked by cliffs, and I had to get dangerously close to the edge in order to even get a partial view of it.

It is administered by Washington State Parks. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

In our long drive to Palouse Falls State Park, we started from the town of Walla Walla , Washington, which we thought was the closest town of any significant size to the falls.

Nevertheless, from Walla Walla , we drove about 44 miles north on the US12 before turning left onto Hwy At that point, the road was unpaved and we drove the last 2. When we returned in , the fees remained the same, but we saw that there was a machine that dispensed pay-and-display tickets credit cards accepted to put on the dash of the parked vehicle. For geographical context, Walla Walla was about miles about 4 hours drive northwest from Boise , Idaho, about miles 3 hours drive southwest from Spokane , Washington, and about 49 miles under an hour drive west from Kennewick , Washington.

Very slow and deliberate tripod-aided sweep of Palouse Falls except this video didn't have sound. Right to left sweep of the frontal view of Palouse Falls before zooming in on the mohawk and the panning along the falls itself.

Angled sweep of the Palouse Falls from above some fenced off area where I suspected some people have tried to go to the bottom of the falls from here. Back and forth right-to-left and back sweep showing Palouse Falls in profile together with the deep canyon downstream of it. Left to right sweep from the main overlook area showing the falls in the middle of the sweep as it was exhibiting a rainbow. The sweep ends with a downstream gorge view. Left to right sweep from the right side of the main overlook starting with the main overlook area itself then panning over deliberately to the canyon scenery further downstream.

Right to left then right again boomerang sweep starting with the Fryxell Overlook, then focusing on the Palouse Falls before panning back over to the gorge scenery in the direction of the Fryxell Overlook. Right to left sweep from the shelter at Fryxell Overlook starting with the gorge scenery plus showing some snow in the distant mountains before panning over to the falls itself. Left to right sweep starting with a zoom-in of the railroad in the distance, then panning across the Upper Palouse Falls and the butte backing it before showing the downstream gorge scenery.

The movie ends with a contextual fixation on the falls and butte together. Left to right sweep starting with a focus on the falls with mohawk and rainbow themselves, before panning along the Palouse River towards the rugged canyon scenery further downstream. For the latest requirements you can always check here.

If you want to use cash or check , you can use one of the provided brown envelopes. April through early July are the best times to visit the falls.

Unfortunately, though, there have been quite a few deaths here. So it is of upmost importance to be vigilant and smart during your visit. Yes, dogs on a leash are allowed and welcomed at Palouse Falls. Please be careful with them near the edges! At the park there are bathrooms , picnic tables and campgrounds. For the summer the picnic tables and campgrounds are closed, though. The park is accessed by taking highway WA to Palouse Falls Road and continuing until you run into the parking lot.

Make sure you have enough gas since the nearest fuel is 15 miles away in Starbuck, WA. But again, the drive is pretty straight forward. Palouse Falls State Park is actually less than 90 minutes from Kennewick. There is a parking lot right by the falls and the bathrooms.

We had absolutely no problem finding a spot on a weekday night, though. Each space can accommodate up to two tents and four people. Sites have no hookups. Each space includes a picnic table and fire pit. Braziers are available. Drinking water is available from April to October.

All campsites are first come, first served. For information call the park at For fee information, check out our camping rates page. Please note that campsite fees are payable on site with cash or check only. Camping fees include one vehicle only. Created by the Ice Age floods from glacial Lake Missoula more than 13, years ago, Palouse Falls is one of few active waterfall left along this massive glacial flood path. Palouse Falls has long been a location used by Native American tribes.

Exploring Expedition. Palouse Falls State Park was dedicated on June 3, Agnes Sells of Washtucna 9 acres and others. Palouse Falls was designated as the state waterfall by the Washington State legislature on March 18, The bill designating the waterfall was written by 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade students of the nearby Washtucna School. Skip to Main Content. Loading Close. Caution is advised at all points.

Pros: Closer view of water and Rock formations, more substantial exercise than overlook trail Cons: danger from trail surface and proximity to water. Deaths have occurred in past. You can watch the Falls from the parking lot or make your way down the mountain. Getting to the top of the waterfall is easy. Trying to get to the bottom of the fall definitely got my adrenaline pumping. The hike itself was amazing! However, it was not very marked, apart from signs about rattle snakes and Warnings that the hike is not part of the park - so if something happens you are on your own!

We completed the loop and we had to crawl up the side of the cliff to get back up. You can get very very hurt in this hike if not careful! This is a loop trail, but like many others, we did it as a out and back. The trail then runs along the river above the falls. The trail ends near the viewpoint shelter at the far right from where you first began, facing the falls at the parking lot. The trail down is moderate to easy for any seasoned to moderate hiker. The only hard part of this hike is being mindful of water and trail navigation.

For pictures: Instagram. Was closed when I tried to go. I think someone might have fallen off the trail in the previous week. Hope they are ok. The waterfall itself was amazing, the park and trail not so much, was expecting more trails but no such luck, overall though glad I came.

Overall it was a decent trail. Very rocky getting down the backside but was doable with our dog. Unfortunately we had to stop when we got to the ropes but it was definitely worth the view to walk the ledge.

I, however, would not recommend on such a hot day! We stopped multiple times for water breaks with our pup. Use Navigator in the AllTrails app and join the other outdoor explorers who have completed this trail. Palouse Falls Trail hard Length 2. There are sections that involve rock scrambling and steep drop offs so it is not for the faint of heart. Make sure to have proper footwear. Reviews Sort by:. Becky Laporte. October 19, October 17, Samantha C.

October 6, Hiking Great! Off trail Rocky. Peter Billing. September 19, Awesome sunset hike! Beth Britz. September 10, Alan Birdsell. September 3, Off trail Over grown Rocky Scramble. Kia Torkian. August 24, Hiking Fee Great! Off trail Rocky Scramble. Kim Gordon. August 21, Hiking Closed Off trail Rocky Scramble. Lisa Thiel-Wood.

August 19, Yanet Moreno. August 14, Nature trips Great!