Palouse Falls — 198ft Plunge in Washington

Palouse Falls is a 198-foot plunge waterfall in Franklin County, Washington, reached by an easy walk over 0.7 miles.

Palouse Falls is a 198-foot plunge waterfall in southeast Washington's Palouse country — Washington's official state waterfall and a National Natural Landmark. The Palouse River drops over a basalt cliff into a deep canyon carved by Ice Age megafloods (the Bretz Floods that shaped the Channeled Scablands). The state park preserves the falls and three viewpoints; the canyon-rim view is unobstructed and dramatic. Best in spring (April-May) when the Palouse runs full from snowmelt and farmland runoff. Discover Pass required for parking.

What to expect

Drive into Palouse Falls State Park (in Franklin County, about 90 minutes from Walla Walla or 4 hours from Seattle). Display your Discover Pass on the dash. Park at the state park lot. Three viewpoints accessible via short paths from the parking — the upper overlook, the canyon rim, and the upper river view. No safe trail to the base; stay behind fencing (multiple deaths from off-trail scrambles). Pair with the Palouse scenic drives (the rolling wheat-country landscape is unique to this region) or the Walla Walla wineries.