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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
The Palouse Region
Palouse Falls State Park
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Palouse Falls State Park Natures Power © Gordon Hutchinson
Palouse Falls - 200 foot falls in a 400 foot canyon.
Palouse Falls State Park Photographers Edge © Gordon Hutchinson
Shooting the falls from the edge of a 400 foot drop
Palouse Falls State Park © SIQI WU
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls 2/01/16 © Steve Story
The afternoon winter sun created a rainbow as its light passed through the mist of the Palouse Falls.
Palouse Falls State Park © erma whitfield
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Canyon © Gerry Bozarth
Looking South from Palouse Falls State Park.
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls © Joanne Green
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls © Joanne Green
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls © Joanne Green
Palouse Falls State Park © Susan K Bateman
Palouse Falls State Park © SIQI WU
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
one of 3 grassy sections at the park
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
Facing the falls, follow the trail to the left and you will see these mini falls. You can hike down to them if you continue on the trail
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
Palouse Falls State Park © Jason Tomlinson
Palouse Falls State Park © Pat Schilling
Palouse Falls State Park © Pat Schilling
Palouse Falls State Park The Palouse Falls © Gary Neiss
Palouse Falls State Park Summer at the Falls © Gerry Bozarth
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
These chubby little guys are common in the park and some will even pose for you
Palouse Falls State Park Wheat scape © Larry Gaskill
Wheat fields in the Palouse area
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls © Rick Scheibner
Palouse Falls State Park © Stephenie Kendall
Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls © Joanne Green
Palouse Falls State Park © erma whitfield
Palouse Falls State Park Roaring © Gerry Bozarth
Palouse Falls State Park © Jason Tomlinson
Palouse Falls State Park © Jason Tomlinson
Palouse Falls State Park © Jason Tomlinson
Palouse Falls State Park © Jason Tomlinson
Palouse Falls State Park April Runoff © Kathy Coley
Spring showers and melting snow created this caldron of raging mud and water.
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PALOUSE FALLS STATE PARK
Palouse Falls State Park is a 105-acre camping park with a unique geology and history. The park offers a dramatic view of one of the state's most beautiful waterfalls. Palouse Falls drops from a height of 200 feet.
History of the Area
The park was dedicated June 3, 1951. For many years the falls were called "Aputapat." Later, the name was changed to commemorate the Palouse Indian culture.

According to a story of the Palouse tribe, the Palouse River once flowed smoothly into the Snake. But four giant brothers, in pursuit of a mythic creature called "Big Beaver," speared the great creature five times. Each time Big Beaver was wounded, he gouged the canyon walls, causing the river to bend and change. The fifth time he was speared, he fought the brothers valiantly and tore out a huge canyon. The river tumbled over a cliff at this point to become Palouse Falls. The jagged canyon walls show the deep marks of Big Beaver's claws.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Camping
Camping Fees : Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).

Standard campsite, $15.

Utility campsite, $21.

Primitive campsite (accessible by motorized/non-motorized vehicles) and for water trail camping, $10

An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.

Maximum eight people per campsite.

Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.

Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.

More about park hours : Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Length of stay: you may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.

Campsite Information : The park has 10 tent spaces (one ADA), one dump station and two restrooms (both ADA). One tent site is ADA-compliant. Sites have no hook-ups. Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability). Braziers are available. All campsites are first-come, first-served.


Location
Palouse Falls State Park is located near Pasco

Picnicking
The park provides one sheltered picnic area with eight braziers and 10 unsheltered picnic tables with two acres of picnicking area. Picnic sites are first-come, first-served.
Trails
1. Palouse Falls Trail: This is a 2-mile round trip trail that offers stunning views of the falls and canyon, with moderate difficulty level.

2. Upper Viewpoint Trail: A short but steep hike to an elevated viewpoint overlooking the waterfall and surrounding landscape.

3. Lower Canyon Hiking Route: An unmarked path leading down into the canyon for more adventurous hikers; not recommended without proper equipment due to its challenging nature.

4. Fryxell Overlook Pathway: Easy walking route suitable for all ages offering panoramic vistas over Palouse River Valley from above.

5. South Rim Loop Trail: A longer loop around south rim providing diverse perspectives on both waterfalls and canyons.

6. North Side Scenic Walkway: Less crowded than other trails in park, this pathway provides unique northern viewpoints onto falls.

7. Riverside Trekking Course: Follows along river's edge through dense vegetation before reaching base of main fall; requires careful navigation as it's partially marked only.

8. Wildhorse Island Exploration Track: For wildlife enthusiasts who want chance encounters with local fauna while hiking amidst natural beauty.

9. Cliffside Climbing Passage: Strictly meant for experienced climbers willing to take up challenge under expert supervision.

10. Picnic Area Access Trails: Short paths connecting parking lot area directly towards designated picnic spots near top viewing points.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 3 unique wonder
park review stars; one to five It is disgraceful how the parks dept has let this park dry up....such a unique sight, but now looks unkempt and unloved. You would think someone could turn on some irrigation and mow this small park....
July 16 A Sight to Behold by Zane
park review stars; one to five We enjoyed seeing the falls along with everyone else, BUT the road going into the falls is a mess. Such a rough wash board road. With all the traffic coming and going the road needs to be paved for better viewing attractions. Everyone I spoke to about the falls said it was a wonderful sight to behold but the road sucks big time.
August 17 Overzealous Ranger by Don Renbarger
park review stars; one to five Stopped at parking lot, walked down to view signage and determine whether to stop for lunch or camp overnight. Found ranger writing me ticket for not displaying Discover Pass. There should be a 5 minute grace period for people to make up there minds.
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Directions
Located 23 miles southeast of Washtucna, Wash.

From SR 261 : Drive 13.5 miles west of Starbuck, or 14.4 miles southwest of the SR 261 and SR 260 junction and take Palouse Falls Rd. east.

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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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