Palouse Scenic Byway

drive through rolling hills in eastern washington

Length

208 Miles | 334 KM

Drive Time

4 Hours 30 Minutes

Recommended Stay

4 Days

Regions

Eastern

explore the palouse scenic byway

Multiple highways south of Spokane, including Highway 195, SR 26, SR 27, and SR 272

Known as a renowned photography destination, the Palouse Scenic Byway winds through rolling hills and farmland dotted with buttes formed by prehistoric glacial flooding. A mix of highways and quieter roads provides ample opportunity for peaceful exploration. This drive is best enjoyed over a few days to take advantage of the wide-open spaces. Visit Palouse Falls, kayak along the Palouse and Snake rivers, explore local history, and visit charming small towns along the way.

Time Your Trip: The highways of the Palouse Scenic Byway are typically accessible year-round. Visit in the spring for lush, vibrant green fields or during fall for warm golds and browns.

A woman and child stand on a hill overlooking the Palouse region — Photo Credit: Robh / iStock.com

Palouse WA — Photo Credit: Terryfic3D – iStock.com

The Bill Chipman Trail — Photo courtesy of Visit Pullman

discover destinations

Pullman
Home to Washington State University (WSU), Pullman makes a great base for exploring the Palouse Scenic Byway. Enjoy local restaurants, charming downtown shops, heritage sites, and more. The WSU campus is home to multiple museums and the Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center, where visitors can observe grizzly bears at the only center of its kind in the country. During summer, don’t miss the National Lentil Festival, which celebrates the region’s agricultural roots.

Colfax
Just south of Steptoe Butte, the community of Colfax sits along the Palouse River. Take a ghost tour through an abandoned hospital, browse shops, restaurants, and coffee shops downtown, hike along the Palouse River Trail, and more.

Palouse
Nestled near the Idaho border, the charming town of Palouse is one of the oldest communities in Whitman County. Grab a bite to eat and discover historic buildings or visit the Roy Chatters Newspaper & Printing Museum.

Uniontown
Incorporated in 1879, tiny Uniontown is home to early 1900s buildings, including the St. Boniface Church. Built in 1905, it’s billed as the first consecrated Catholic church in Washington. Nearby, Artisans at the Dahmen Barn is home to makers’ studios and is known for its wagon-wheel fence.

Palouse Falls State Park
Detour off the main byway route and take Highway 261 to Palouse Falls State Park, home to the state’s official waterfall. Plummeting nearly 200 feet into a canyon, visitors can observe the falls from three distinct viewpoints.