PALOUSE FALLS

Palouse Falls were declared the official falls of Washington State in 2014 after a group of elementary school students suggested the measure.  The falls drop a 198 feet on the Palouse River upstream of the confluence with the Snake River in southeast Washington and are a wonder not to be missed.

Interesting Facts:

• "Discovered" in 1841 by the famous Wilkes Expedition, recorded the falls on their maps with the original, native name for Palouse Falls. The original name for Palouse Falls was Aput Aput, meaning "Falling Water".
• On April 21st, 2009, Tyler Bradt successfully kayaked down Palouse Falls: watch the video.
• The cliffs and canyons that make Palouse Falls spectacular were carved out by the giant flood that occurred when the Missoula Ice Dam broke apart in Pleistocene Epoch. The floods shaped the entire region, including the mighty Columbia River, and occured between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago.

Time your visit to the falls with the sunset. Watching the light and shadows change along the canyon walls is an experience not to be missed. This time of day also offers the opportunity to take advantage of the optimal golden hour lighting that so many photographers seek.