In Whitman County, striking landscapes meet riverside trails and places rich in local history. The Palouse River plunges into a basalt canyon, buttes offer panoramic views, and a variety of trails feature different distances and surfaces. There are also museums, historic sites, and cultural attractions. To plan your trip, start by deciding whether landscapes, a walking or cycling tour, or local history will be your main focus.
Landscapes Between Buttes and Waterfalls
Kamiak Butte rises 3,641 feet above the Palouse Hills; the county park covers 298 acres. For a different perspective, Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site, a National Natural Landmark, offers sweeping panoramic views of farmland, mountains, and several states. On the Snake River Canyon, Wawawai County Park covers 49 acres and lies three miles upriver from Lower Granite Dam. Klemgard County Park, meanwhile, provides 59 acres of recreational space for day visits in a wooded canyon.
One especially striking natural destination is Palouse Falls. There, the Palouse River plunges 200 feet into a churning pool within a basalt canyon. Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site covers 94 acres and is a day-use park; an overlook offers panoramic views of the falls and the Palouse River Canyon. Important for planning your visit: all trails into the canyon and to the base of the falls are permanently closed. Plan to visit the overlook rather than expecting to descend to the water.
River Trails of Different Lengths
For a riverside outing, there are trails with clearly distinct lengths and routes. The Palouse River Trail in Colfax is a five-mile, flat out-and-back route along the Palouse River. The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail is seven miles long, paved, and connects Pullman and Moscow along a former railroad corridor. The Snake River Trail runs 3.5 miles from Almota Creek through Boyer Park to the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam, and can be traveled on foot or by bike. These details make comparison straightforward: the shorter Colfax trail is described as a flat out-and-back route, while the other two trails each connect named places or endpoints.
Boyer Park and Marina is a 56-acre marina on the Snake River. It has boat slips, campsites, and cabins. You can pair the park with the Snake River Trail without conflating their different offerings: the trail is an option for getting around on foot or by bike; boat slips, camping, and cabins are separate options for your stay.
History, Museums, and Cultural Attractions
Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site commemorates an 1858 battle between U.S. troops and Indigenous tribes. Interpretive signs tell the story of the battle and the U.S. soldiers’ retreat. Rosalia Museum offers a different perspective on local history, with objects related to the history of Rosalia, Malden, and Thornton. Topics include home life, local commerce, the railroad, and agriculture, as well as tools and everyday objects from the Palouse.
In Uniontown, St. Boniface Church was built in 1905; it is considered the first consecrated Catholic church in Washington. Since restoration began in 2000, the Empire Theater in Tekoa has developed into a performing arts center for the county and surrounding areas. Artisans at the Dahmen Barn houses artists’ studios and Hay Loft Hall, a venue for exhibitions and performances. These places offer different points of focus: religious architectural history, performing arts, and the work of artists sit side by side.
In Pullman, the National Lentil Festival has celebrated lentils since 1989. The festival features the “World’s Largest Lentil Chili Bowl” as well as a food and crafts market. If you’d like to include this event in your plans, check the event dates for your travel period.
Places to Stay and Trip Planning
If you’re looking for a hotel, it’s best to choose your base according to the destinations you want to visit: scenic overlooks and landscapes, river trails, or culture and history. Camping in the county park system follows separate rules: camping is limited to designated campsites at Kamiak Butte County Park and Wawawai County Park. Campsites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Boyer Park also offers campsites and cabins on the Snake River. Before your trip, check the dates for any planned festival visit and the availability of your chosen accommodation.
Explore more destinations: Colfax, Pullman, Malden, Pacific County, Grant County, Klickitat County, Lewis, Douglas County.
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