palouse falls state park

You can view the falls from an overlook, follow a trail to the top of the falls or follow another trail to the bottom of the falls. I recommend good hiking boots because the trails can be steep and slippery. Make sure to allow plenty of time to hike out in day light unless you are an experienced night hiker. Well worth the trip.

Very nice waterfall that seems to come out of nowhere. I thought I had gotten lost wondering how water could ever be found out there. Was a nice visit... wish I couldve found a trail to get to the bottom

We saw a feature about Palouse Falls State Park in Backpacker Magazine and set out to see it for ourselves. Tourists to the state of Washington rarely head to eastern WA. I'm glad we ventured away from the coast to see what the rest of the state has to offer. Palouse Falls is probably best seen in the Spring -- I figured that out too late. It wasn't too hot when we went in early September and the waterfall was roaring. But you can imagine that at the peak of the rain season there must be many waterfalls and a much larger main one. You can hike down to the gorge and then back up again. It's very scenic. It requires some rock hopping near the river. You can hike up to the back of the fall but it's only for the very adventurous as there are steep drops on both sides and not much footing.

Go in the spring if you can. It was still a nice waterfall in August but not a particularly large one. Getting there is a long detour through desolate landscape. It's most enjoyable if you can do a little hiking (no shade on trails) otherwise you are across the canyon from the falls. The canyon itself is as impressive as the falls.

We spent several hours at this state park and really enjoyed ourselves. We arrived in mid-morning and discovered that at least in early September, the best light for photographing the falls occurs in mid-afternoon, so we ended up staying much longer than we originally planned. Our earlier photos were no good compared to the ones we got later. There are some short hiking trails around the park, but none are marked, and the longer trails that go down to the falls are also unmarked and very strenuous. It was unclear whether they are officially "sanctioned" trails or simply ones that adventurous souls had trailblazed. My husband did hike one trail all the way down to the falls for a better view, but parts of it were pretty hairy going (lots of talus -- thankfully he had hiking poles), and it did not appear to be used often. One other note: We are not Washington residents and didn't know if there would be pay envelopes at the park, since we did not have a Discover pass. We searched online ahead of time but were unable to determine whether we could pay at the park. If anyone else is wondering the same thing, the answer is YES. There are pay envelopes (honor system) at the park. Cost is $10 per car, so take exact change if you don't have a pass.

A great place to visit. Be careful of choosing your time. We went there in August as result of which we could find more of dry grass than greenery. People visiting the place often, told us that the best time to come here is during March/April (Spring time) when there is lot of greenery and the falls is at its best. You would also enjoy the trail near the railroad to the lower falls. However there are no railings and the trails are just marked by random paths. Be careful and extremely cautious. It is good to have a walking stick for the trails. Also make sure to take food and water(very important) as you will not find any shops in its vicinity. If you do not have a discover pass, you will have to pay $10 fee when you enter. All said and done, a beautiful fall in the midst of nowhere ! After an hour drive through the private roads, you will be fondly surprised to see the falls. Go visit it and have fun !

We went there in August. Wrong. The time to go there is in the late spring. Things are green, the water is gushing and the sun is in the right spot. Don't go there unless it is an overcast day. Big contrast is a bad thing. By the way, much of the spots to shoot have no railing and 200+ foot drops. Yup, I am a wimp.

What a great way to spend the day. Out in the middle on nowhere but worth it. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the sound of the falls as you eat in the shade with a nice breeze. There is a hiking trail, picnic area and pit potty. What more could you ask for.

This place is gnarly! We hiked to the ridge back rocks near the falls edge. Totally worth it! I would however say that this would not be ideal for beginer or small children. Please use good judgment and caution. The various features and views on the hike to the fall are highly interesting. If you take the trail that goes up from the parking lot and around and down by the railroad tracks to the smaller falls the kids might enjoy an opportunity to play and get wet and enjoy some incredible rock formations. This is a great place to stop and highly worth the small detour!

A couple college friends and I decided to make the 2 hour trip out to Palouse Falls one weekend with no idea what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised and will definitely be making the trip back! There is a $10 fee for entrance if you don't already have a pass and the view from the lookout is worth it however if you really want to make the most of the day make the small trek down to the plunge pools. From here you can chill by the water under the mini-waterfalls or make the hike around to the top of the waterfall if you aren't afraid of heights. Makes for some awesome pictures too!

We didn't have much time to do anything at the falls so we snapped a couple of pics with the kids from the top of the overlook. It was amazing. Next time we are going to plan on staying awhile so we can walk down to the bottom.

Have you had a day where you want to do something different?Get out, and make a day of this remote Waterfall in SE Washington.You will need, picnic basket. Water or fluids. Patience as the roads are slow and clumsy with a dirt part to the gold.Camera, hiking shoes or tennis shoes. Great attitude.I love these day adventures and finding little treasures, the drive from Spokane is south towards Pullmans turning west at Colfax on highway 26. Alternative is I-90 west to Ritzville take first exist and then turn left and head south. Both way will bring you no where town Washtucna. Continue south. (The small town is a HUGE SPEED TRAP), about 8 miles. You will then turn east for another 5 miles. Pay attention to ALL signs, you will be what looks like a basalt cattle farm, and it is. Turn left for 2 miles and you will finally get to the park.Now summer time, rattlers do exist, and I have seen a number of other snakes too. As long as snake don't come in my comfort zone I am OK.Best time to go, May or June. Cooler but spring run off is happening.Park is small, parking good for 30 cars. Picnic under some tree's or the few tables. Potty rooms.View spectacular.Look up youtube about the kayaker who in past years missed his escape wire up river and went over the falls. WHAT............he survived.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrveNdW_sj0Now look, TV will be there. The grass will grow and die, but LIFE is SHORT. GET out and touch something awesome.Good Travels.This is Palouse country, rolling wheat fields and that about all. Hot day you will fill the heat.

Out in the rolling wheat fields of east central Washington state in the place you would least expect to find a beautiful waterfall there is the Palouse Falls. We'll worth the drive on any day even on a very hot summer scorcher. This was my first visit to the falls and I wish I had come to this place years ago. Simply beautiful. The hike over to Castle Rock is a bit long on a hot day--be sure to take your bathing suit and water. Go left from the parking lot and follow the path over to the train tracks and down the hill to the smaller upper falls. The path to the top of the main waterfall is on the right at the base of the cliffs. The view from the top of the falls is not for any one who has problems with hiking over rough terrain and is only something I would recommend for experienced hikers. Plan to spend over two hours and don't just view the falls from the parking lot view points. Be sure and plan this into your next drive across the state of Washington.

We visited Palouse Falls in June of 2014. I hadn't been there in probably 10 years or so. It seemed like nothing had changed...except you now have to pay a fee to get in if you don't already have a state parks pass. It always seems especially hot and desert-like there, no matter what time of year. The falls are very pretty to view, and I'd recommend going to see them if it isn't too far a drive from wherever you're coming. Unless you're an avid hiker and a bit of a risk-taker, you can't get very close to them. We saw people on the trails, even saw couple people nearly lose their balance on one of the steep trails. I read another review that said to watch out for rattlesnakes in the area. That's enough to keep me off the trails. We did also see a few people who had somehow managed to get to the very bottom area - the bottom of the canyon, facing the falls. Couldn't see a trail there, but they obviously had found one. There are good views from the park area, along with a few signs that talk about the history of the place. The day we were there (think it was a Friday), the place was full of tents and people camping in the park area. For a place that charges every car to come in, you'd think they could afford to put in a real bathroom facility. They have one outhouse style bathroom for each sex.

The falls are beautiful! Definitely worth the drive out there. The campgrounds are in good condition, but a little pricey considering they are primitive sites. The pit toilets need more good bacteria added to them and some signs that say please shut lid as they were getting a little rank.