Weekend Trip: Seattle to Palouse Falls
Best Time to Visit
- Late April through June - Peak water flow from snowmelt makes the 198-foot falls most dramatic. Wildflowers bloom across the rolling hills.
- Early-mid September - Golden wheat harvest season offers stunning photography against the brown-gold hills. Cooler weather, fewer crowds.
- Avoid mid-July through August (hot, dry, low water flow) and deep winter (roads can be icy, facilities may close).
Friday - Departure Day
Drive: Seattle to Ellensburg
- Distance: ~170 miles
- Drive time: ~2.5 hours via I-90 East
- Depart: Late afternoon after work
Route Highlights
- Pass through Snoqualmie Pass (elevation ~3,022 ft) - scenic mountain crossing
- Ellensburg sits at the eastern base of the Cascade foothills in the Kittitas Valley
Evening
- Check in and relax
Hotel Suggestions (Ellensburg, 2+ stars, hot tub)
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Ellensburg - Indoor pool and hot tub, 3-star, clean and modern
- Best Western Plus Plus Cedarbrook Inn - Indoor hot tub, complimentary breakfast
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Ellensburg - Hot tub available, budget-friendly
- Reserve in advance and confirm hot tub access; hotel amenities can change seasonally
Saturday - Palouse Falls & Sightseeing
Morning Drive: Ellensburg to Palouse Falls
- Distance: ~155 miles via I-90 E and WA-26
- Drive time: ~2.5 hours
- Depart: 7:00-7:30 AM for a full day
Stop 1: Palouse Falls State Park
- Main attraction: 198-foot waterfall plunging into the ancient canyon carved by Ice Age floods
- Hikes & Walks:
- Upper Falls Viewpoint Trail - 0.3 mi (easy, paved) - Primary overlook of the falls
- Lower Falls Viewpoint Trail - 0.5 mi (moderate, some stairs) - Gets you closer to the base of the falls
- Canyon Rim Trail - ~1 mi (moderate) - Follows the canyon edge with views of the Snake River confluence
- Time on site: 1.5-2 hours
- Parking: $10/day or WA Discover Pass required
Stop 2: Lyons Ferry Park & Snake River
- Drive from Palouse Falls: ~15 minutes
- Confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers
- Short walking paths, picnic areas
- Historic ferry crossing site
- Time on site: 45 minutes
Stop 3: Washtucna & Rolling Hills Scenic Drive
- Drive the back roads through the iconic rolling Palouse hills
- The winding country roads between Washtucna, Colton, and Palouse are themselves a scenic attraction
- Pull over at pullouts for photography - the terraced wheat fields are unforgettable
Stop 4: Colfax (Historic Downtown)
- Drive from Palouse Falls area: ~30 minutes
- Charming small town with well-preserved early 1900s architecture
- Whitman Historical Museum - Local history, free admission
- Walk Main Street, grab dinner at a local restaurant
- Palouse Prairie Coffee or a local cafe for a stop
Evening
Hotel Suggestions (Colfax / Pullman area, 2+ stars, hot tub)
- Comfort Inn Colfax - Indoor pool and hot tub, 2-star, basic but functional
- La Quinta Inn & Suites Pullman - Hot tub available, ~20 min south of Colfax
- Best Western University Inn (Pullman) - Indoor hot tub, near WSU campus
- Book ahead and verify hot tub availability
Sunday - Half Day Explore + Drive Home
Morning Exploration (3-4 hours)
Option A: Steptoe Butte (recommended)
- Drive from Colfax: ~25 minutes
- One of the last remaining volcanic buttes in the Palouse
- Summit elevation: 3,612 ft - 360-degree panoramic views of the entire Palouse region
- Hike: 0.3 mi to the summit (short but steep, ~200 ft elevation gain)
- A National Natural Landmark - the view from the top is arguably the best in eastern Washington
- Time on site: 1-1.5 hours
Option B: Palouse Falls via the Lower Snake River Road
- Revisit the falls from a different angle via the lower access road
- Different lighting in the morning sun
Drive Home: Colfax/Pullman to Seattle
- Distance: ~280 miles
- Drive time: ~4 to 4.5 hours via I-90 West
- Depart by: 1:00-2:00 PM to arrive home by early evening
- Route: Colfax -> Pullman -> I-90 West through Ellensburg and Snoqualmie Pass -> Seattle
Summary of Driving Times
| Leg | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle to Ellensburg | ~170 mi | ~2.5 hrs |
| Ellensburg to Palouse Falls | ~155 mi | ~2.5 hrs |
| Palouse Falls to Colfax | ~30 mi | ~30 min |
| Colfax to Steptoe Butte | ~25 mi | ~25 min |
| Colfax/Pullman to Seattle | ~280 mi | ~4-4.5 hrs |
| Total trip driving | ~660 mi | ~10 hrs |
Packing List
- Layers (mornings are cool, afternoons warm; eastern WA has big temperature swings)
- Sturdy shoes for canyon trails
- Camera (the landscape is spectacular)
- Sunscreen and hat (limited shade on trails)
- WA Discover Pass ($30 annual / $10 daily) for state parks
- Snacks and water (limited services in rural areas)
- Download offline maps - cell service is spotty in the Palouse
Notes
- Rural eastern Washington has limited dining and gas options after dark; plan accordingly
- Palouse Falls is most impressive with high water flow (spring); in late summer the flow can be a trickle
- The rolling Palouse landscape is best appreciated from elevated viewpoints like Steptoe Butte
- Fill up gas whenever you see a station - distances between towns can be 30+ miles