| Description: 1282 acres on the Palouse River, just above its confluence with the Snake River. Fishing in the rivers for bass, bullhead, catfish, perch, salmon, steelhead, & trout. The H2O has carved through the "scablands," revealing the history of the past million years, including ages of intense volcanic activity & glaciation followed by catastrophic floods. At the north end of the park, in the Palouse Natural Area, the Palouse River drops a stunning 200 feet.
The oldest human remains in the western hemisphere were unearthed near the mouth of the river; archeological evidence also points to centuries of habitation by the Palouse people. Later settlement is in evidence by the old ferry, in use for over 100 years. Hiking trails offer a closer look at nature & area history. A short wheelchair-accessible trail leads to an overlook of the falls.
The campground near Lyons Ferry has 50 sites, including two primitive tent-only walk-in sites. One picnic shelter is reservable. The Palouse Falls campground has ten sites.
Location: From Dayton, go about 15 miles north on US 12, then 15 miles northwest on WA 261.
Season: closed in winter.
Reservations: for one shelter call 509-646-3252 . |
Campground: Lyons Ferry State Park in Olympia Washington *