A road trip along the Palouse Scenic Byway is one of the best ways to experience the rolling hills and charming towns of Eastern Washington. Along the way, visit the college town of Pullman, stop at scenic viewpoints, and take a trip to see thundering Palouse Falls.
Palouse Scenic Byway Road Trip
There’s no right or wrong way to drive the Palouse Scenic Byway. The byway includes Highway 195, Highway 27, and Highway 26, along with other spur routes, so there are many options for where to start. Head south from Spokane or start from the west with a visit to breathtaking Palouse Falls State Park. You can also base yourself in Pullman to explore the attractions over multiple days.
View a map and suggested driving routes.
Palouse Scenic Byway Attractions
Palouse Falls State Park
If you’ve never been to this park, prepare to be dazzled. Located off Highway 261, the 200-foot-tall waterfall thunders over brown rock ledges and is especially impressive in spring and early summer during runoff season. Palouse Falls was designated the state waterfall in 2014, after elementary school students at nearby Washtucna School petitioned the legislature. The 94-acre park has a picnic area and shelter, as well as designated walking paths, and it’s ADA accessible.
Travel Tip: If heading to the Palouse Scenic Byway from Seattle or elsewhere in Western Washington, this should be your first stop. If coming from Spokane or from the east, Palouse Falls is worth the additional miles and travel time (about 1.5 hours from Colfax).
Also See: Scenic Washington Waterfalls
Pullman
Home to Washington State University, there’s plenty to do in Pullman. Stop by the WSU Bear Center during the non-hibernation season (April through October) to watch the bears meander around in their outdoor space. The center is dedicated to the research, education, and conservation of bears.
For a sweet treat, stop at Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe. Try the Cougar Tracks ice cream (vanilla, fudge, and peanut butter cups). You can also pick up some legendary Cougar Gold cheese. For dinner, The Black Cypress serves up craft cocktails and elevated menu items in a cozy space.
Time your visit for August to attend the National Lentil Festival. Held at the height of summer, this festival celebrates the region’s lentil crop. Enjoy parades, music, and booths full of activities.
Uniontown & Dahmen Barn
South of Pullman and just north of Uniontown, the Dahmen Barn is an often-photographed attraction along the byway. Built in 1935, this stately barn was home to a commercial dairy until 1953. It’s easily recognized by its iron fence made of wheels and gears from farm and steam equipment. Today, it’s a center for creatives and known as Artisans at the Dahmen Barn. Stop in and browse ceramics, paintings, jewelry, and quilts.
In Uniontown, a small community of farmers and artists, stop by the Wawawai Canyon Winery to sample bold Washington red wines from grapes grown in nearby Wawawai Canyon. Winemaker Ben Moffett planted the first vines here in 1994, and Wawawai became the first commercial winery in Whitman County since prohibition.
Boyer Park and the Lower Granite Dam
Located about 30 minutes southwest of Pullman, Boyer Park can be found on the sandy brinks of the Snake River. Not only can you swim and boat here, but you can also fish, hunt, and camp. The park is open year-round, and recreational opportunities vary with the seasons. Nearby motels make for solid lodging if you don’t want to camp. Boyer Park truly offers some of the best recreational opportunities in Eastern Washington.
Steptoe Butte
One of the most well-known views along the Palouse Scenic Byway, Steptoe Butte is a State Park Heritage Site and a highlight for photographers. Take in 360-degree views of the Palouse, which in spring unfolds like a vintage quilt in shades of green and yellow. The summit is 3,612 feet above sea level, and on a clear day, you can see into Idaho. Park at the bottom and hike or bike up, or you can drive all the way to the top.
The quartzite butte is formed of some of the oldest rock in Washington, and Native Americans refer to it as Power Mountain. It was renamed Pyramid Peak by early European settlers and eventually named after Colonel Edward Steptoe, who fought in the Battle of Rosalia.
Colfax
Home to the supposedly haunted St. Ignatius Hospital, the Codger Pole, and the Perkins House Museum, Colfax is worth a visit for lovers of history and small towns.
Built in 1894, the St. Ignatius Hospital ceased operations in 1968 before transitioning to a long-term care facility. Vacant since 2003, the hulking, red-brick building has been featured by a variety of TV shows and publications thanks to reports of paranormal activity. Purchased in 2021 by Laura and Austin Storm, the pair hopes to restore and repurpose the aging building. Until then, they offer various ghost tours of the hospital.
Before departing, stop by Main Street to see the Codger Pole. This 65-foot-tall chainsaw sculpture is made of four separate cedar logs and features the carved faces and names of 50 local football players. The pole commemorates a 1988 high school football rematch of a 1938 game. It’s often billed as the world’s largest chainsaw sculpture of human likenesses.
If visiting in September, don’t miss the annual Colfax Railroad Days. This community event features exhibits of model and life-size train engines, historical displays, western reenactments, and a street fair.
Also See: Experience Washington’s Scenic Byways
Kamiak Butte
This National Natural Landmark east of Colfax features hiking trails and a summit with sweeping views of the Palouse. In contrast to the more open landscape of Steptoe Butte, Kamiak Butte is forested. The 3.5-mile Pine Ridge trail loop winds between ponderosa pines and Douglas firs and is popular with hikers.
Palouse
Located near Kamiak Butte and the Idaho border off Highway 27, tiny Palouse is home to the Roy M. Chatters Newspaper and Printing Museum (open Saturdays and by appointment). The museum features a flat-bed printing press, Linotype machines, and more. The Palouse River also runs through town and is popular with kayakers. Every September, the community holds Palouse Days, which features a car show, barley bar relay, and other activities.
About the Author
Pia Hallenberg is a Spokane-based freelance writer who runs a successful cybersecurity writing business. She’s an award-winning journalist whose first love is writing about travel and local destinations. Her work has appeared in The Spokesman-Review and other publications around the world.