Right now
Right now as of Oct 29, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: Discover Pass ($10 a day).
Status note (Oct 29, 2026): Open for day use. All trails into the canyon and to the base are permanently closed. A park alert posted October 6, 2026 says there's no potable water. A Level 2 burn ban posted May 28, 2026 limits wood fires to designated fire pits; gas and propane are allowed. The page adds that charcoal may be restricted. What the status labels mean
Palouse Falls is a 200-foot waterfall on the Palouse River in Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site, per Washington State Parks. It has been Washington's official state waterfall since 2014. WTA lists the walk to the viewing areas at 1.0 mile round trip. All trails into the canyon and to the base are permanently closed. The park is day-use only, and parking needs a Discover Pass. A park alert posted October 6, 2026 says there's no potable water.
About Palouse Falls
The Palouse River "drops 200 feet at Palouse Falls into a churning bowl," according to Washington State Parks. Other figures circulate: 198 feet is widely cited, and Wikipedia notes measured heights of 186 feet and 175 to 180 feet.
In March 2014, Gov. Inslee signed the bill that made Palouse Falls the official state waterfall, the Spokesman-Review reported. The idea came from students at Washtucna Elementary.
The Missoula floods carved the falls and the canyon around them, per Wikipedia. The river now pours into a bowl far below. The viewing areas sit on the rim, high above the bowl.
The park's full name is Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site. Washington State Parks lists it as Day-Use Only, so there's no camping. WTA adds that overnight parking isn't allowed.
Getting there and parking
WTA calls Washtucna the gateway to Palouse Falls. Its directions end with 2.4 miles on Palouse Falls Road and a dirt and gravel road into the park, so take it slowly.
Parking is limited, and Washington State Parks warns of limited cell service. Download directions and buy your Discover Pass before you leave home.
The Discover Pass costs $10 for one day or $45 for a year. For questions, the park's phone number is (509) 646-3229.
Bring drinking water. A Washington State Parks alert posted October 6, 2026 says the park has no potable water, as listed on October 27, 2026.
Our Washington waterfalls guide compares passes across the state. For a city waterfall in eastern Washington, see Spokane Falls, where the viewpoints are free.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
WTA lists the walk at 1.0 mile round trip with no elevation gain. You don't have to hike far to see the falls.
All trails into the canyon and to the base of Palouse Falls are permanently closed, Washington State Parks says. WTA reports the trails closed in early 2022.
The Daily Evergreen reported the February 2022 closure as a step to protect visitors, after four young men died at the park between 2016 and 2018.
The park also says that venturing beyond the designated viewing area and trails is prohibited. That rules out any route down to the river.
Dogs are allowed on a leash. Keep them close to you near the canyon edge.
When to visit
Hours change with the season: 6:30 a.m. to dusk in summer and 8 a.m. to dusk in winter, per Washington State Parks. As a day-use park, it's closed overnight.
We found no official best month for flow or light. We also found no published dates for the switch between summer and winter hours.
Fire rules are tight right now. The park page shows a Level 2 burn ban, posted May 28, 2026 and still listed on October 27, 2026.
Under the ban, wood fires are restricted to fire pits in designated areas, while gas and propane are allowed. The page adds that charcoal may be restricted. Check the park page for current fire rules before you go.
The October 6, 2026 no-water alert has no end date listed. Carry water in any season until the park says otherwise.
| Height | 200 ftNote: per Washington State Parks; 198 ft is also widely cited, and Wikipedia notes measured heights of 186 ft and 175 to 180 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | 1.0 mi round trip with no elevation gain to the viewing areas (WTA); all trails into the canyon and to the base are permanently closed (State Parks) |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Entry fee | Discover Pass: $10 for one day or $45 a year (Washington State Parks) |
| Permit / reservation | No hiking permit; Discover Pass required to park |
| Parking | Limited; Discover Pass required |
| Hours / season | Summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk; winter 8 a.m. to dusk; day-use only (State Parks) |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash (State Parks) |
| Swimming | No access: all trails into the canyon and to the base are permanently closed, and going beyond the designated viewing areas and trails is prohibited (State Parks) |
| Managed by | Washington State Parks (Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site) |
Safety and swimming
Stay inside the designated viewing areas and on open trails. Going beyond them is prohibited, and the trails into the canyon and to the base are permanently closed.
The canyon rim drops sharply, and cell service is limited if something goes wrong. Keep children and leashed dogs close at the edge.
Carry water, sun protection and a charged phone. The park has no potable water, per its October 6, 2026 alert.
Our waterfall safety guide covers cliffs and edges in more depth.
Conditions change: confirm with Washington State Parks before you go.
Where to stay near Palouse Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Washtucna.
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Photos
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Palouse Falls FAQ
Can you hike to the bottom of Palouse Falls?
No. Washington State Parks says all trails into the canyon and base of Palouse Falls are permanently closed, and going beyond the designated viewing areas is prohibited. WTA says the trails closed in early 2022.
Do you need a Discover Pass for Palouse Falls?
Yes, to park. Washington State Parks lists the Discover Pass at $10 for one day or $45 for a year.
How tall is Palouse Falls?
200 feet, per Washington State Parks. Another figure, 198 feet, is widely cited, and Wikipedia notes measured heights of 186 feet and 175 to 180 feet.
Do you have to hike to see Palouse Falls?
Only a little. WTA lists the walk at 1.0 mile round trip with no elevation gain, to viewing areas above the falls.
Can you camp at Palouse Falls?
No. Washington State Parks lists Palouse Falls as Day-Use Only, and WTA says overnight parking isn't allowed.
What town is Palouse Falls near?
Washtucna. WTA calls it the gateway to Palouse Falls. Its directions end with 2.4 miles on Palouse Falls Road and a dirt and gravel road into the park. The park has limited parking and cell service.
Why is Palouse Falls Washington's state waterfall?
Students at Washtucna Elementary proposed it, and Gov. Inslee signed the bill in March 2014, the Spokesman-Review reported.
Is there drinking water at Palouse Falls?
Not right now. A Washington State Parks alert posted October 6, 2026 says there's no potable water, as listed on October 27, 2026. Bring your own.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
Spokane FallsWashington · 79 mi straight-lineOpen
Franklin FallsWashington · 160 mi straight-lineOpen135FT
Myrtle FallsWashington · 166 mi straight-lineOpen60FT
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes
Sources
- Washington State Parks: Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site (Day-Use Only listing, alerts and Burn Ban Level 2 notice; read Oct 27, 2026)
- Washington State Parks: Discover Pass
- WTA: Palouse Falls
- Daily Evergreen: Palouse Falls permanently closes areas of park to protect visitors (Feb 18, 2022)
- Spokesman-Review: Palouse Falls becomes Washington's official state waterfall (March 2014)
- Wikipedia: Palouse Falls
- Wikipedia: Palouse Falls State Park
Last verified Oct 29, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Washington State Parks (Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.