Palouse Falls State Park

Walking & Nature Trails

Palouse Falls State Park


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com

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. An ADA-accessible hiking trail overlooks this natural wonder. The park has an observation shelter and historical displays. The park provides one sheltered picnic area with two braziers and 18 unsheltered picnic tables with two acres of picnicking area. Picnic sites are first-come, first-served. Other activities at the park include overnight camping and viewing of falls. 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.

Facilities: Palouse Falls State Park provides restrooms, campsites, and picnic tables.

Reservations: Reservations are not accepted for Palouse Falls State Park.

Best Time To Visit: Palouse Falls State Park is open during the summer from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. Winter hours are 8 a.m. to dusk.

Fees: No fees are charged.

Accessibility: Handicap accessibility is provided.

Rules: Check-in time for campsites starts at 2:30 p.m. Check-out time is 1 p.m. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.

Directions: To reach Palouse Falls State Park from Colfax start out going west on WA-272 toward S Mill St. for 0.1 miles. Turn right onto US-195 for 0.6 miles. Turn slight left onto WA-26. Continue to follow WA-26 for 50.4 miles. Turn left onto WA-260. Continue to follow WA-260 for 6.4 miles. Turn left onto WA-261 for 8.6 miles. Turn left onto Palouse Falls Rd (Portions unpaved) for 2.4 miles. Warning: There are .34 miles between your ending location and the end of your driving directions. Use maps to get from your ending location to the end of your route. End at Palouse Falls State Park.

Address

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

7150 Cleanwater Lane

P.O. Box 42650

Olympia, Washington 98504

Phone
General: (360) 902-8844

Website

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