Palouse
The Palouse is a region that covers parts of southeastern Washington and north-central Idaho, with some definitions also including parts of northeastern Oregon.
This page only covers the Washington portion of the Palouse region. For pages that cover other parts of the Palouse, see North Central Idaho and Eastern Oregon.
Cities
- 1 Spokane — largest city in eastern Washington, second largest in the state and third-largest in the Pacific Northwest Region; county seat of Spokane County and home to Gonzaga University and Whitworth University
- 2 Spokane Valley a separate suburban city city east of Spokane.
- 3 Cheney — home of Eastern Washington University
- 4 Liberty Lake
Other destinations
- Nez Perce National Historical Park - Since time immemorial, the Nimiipuu or Nez Perce have lived among the rivers, canyons and prairies of the inland northwest
- Hooper — Once thriving, now a ghost town. It was built by the McGregor Company based on the sheep-raising industry. In Whitman County, on the Palouse River just south of Highway 26, between Washtucna and Pampa.
Understand
For our purposes, the Palouse consists of Spokane, Whitman, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties. Portions of adjacent North Central Idaho are often included in the broader region.
Get in
By air
Spokane International Airport, located in the region, offers air service to some cities in the western US: see the Spokane article for details. Other airports with commercial air service near this region include Walla Walla, Pasco and Pullman. The nearest major international airports are Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or Portland International Airport, but they are 5-6 hours away by car. A connecting flight is recommended.
By train
Amtrak's Empire Builder stops at Spokane: this is the only train service to this region.
By car
Major east-west routes through this region arre I-90 through Spokane and US-12 through the southern areas. US-195 is a major north-south route.
Get around
See
- The Snake River Canyon carries the Snake River through the Palouse from Lewiston, Idaho, through an arc northwest then southwest, and finally empties it into the Columbia River at Burbank, near Pasco. The most popular site is just SW of Pullman near Lower Granite Dam. However, you cannot follow the river by car any further downstream. Due to the extensive backtracking that would be required, most people are only able to view one section of the canyon per road trip.
- Spokane House Interpretive Center, N Riverside Park Dr. (via Nine Mile Rd. - WA Hwy 291), Nine Mile Falls, WA, ☏ +1-509 465-5064. summer: Sat 14-16h, Sun 10-16h, other times by arrangement. Telling the story of the oldest house in Washington state, and the Spokane Indians who lived here.
- 1 Palouse Falls State Park (Caution: very remote location. US 12 to WA Hwy 261, or US 395 to WA Hwy 26 east to WA Hwy 261 south (avoid Nunamaker Rd. shortcut unless hiking), toll-free: +1-888-226-7688. By far, the largest waterfall east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington.
- Spokane Plains Battlefield Monument, Four Lakes, WA (at the north end of Electric Ave., just south of the freeway.). Marks the site of a battle on Sept 1, 1858 where the US military decisively defeated a confederation of the Spokanes, Couer d’Alenes, Yakamas, Palouses, and other tribes.
- 2 Steptoe Battlefield, S. Summit Loop, Rosalia, WA (From Seventh St., turn right onto Josephine Avenue, then turn right onto Summit Avenue to the park entrance.), ☏ +1 509 337-6457. summer: 06:30h - dusk, winter: 08:00 - dusk. A small 4-acre site with a monolith, marking where on May 17, 1858 a small US Army detachment was defeated by a larger force of Spokane, Palouse and Coeur D'Alene Native Americans.
- Asotin County Museum, 215 Filmore Street, Asotin, ☏ +1-509-243-4659. Exhibits about the county's history, including examples of various kinds of buildings, such as a schoolhouse and Nez Perce tepee.
Do
Eat
Drink
Coffee
Coffee is hugely popular all across the Pacific Northwest including the Palouse area. Look for small road side espresso stands even in small towns.
Beer
Like the rest of Washington State, microbreweries and beer in general is hugely popular, and the area has many to offer for beer enthusiasts. Some brews can only be found in local stores or bars (some notable brewers don't even bottle their product). Ask your servers for local beer recommendations and search out regional microbrews in stores.
Stay safe
Go next
- Walla Walla Often thought of as part of the Palouse region. However, the western boundary of the county is on the Columbia River.
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site (7 miles west of Walla Walla off of Highway 12), ☏ +1-509-522-6357. 08-18h summers, 08-16:30h other seasons, every day except three holidays. The 1847 Whitman "Massacre" horrified Americans and impacted the lives of the peoples of the Columbia Plateau for decades afterwards. Free.