Palouse Scenic Byway
From Chaos Comes Beauty

Departure: Steptoe Butte State Park, Washington
Destination: Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington, Washington
Time to allow: 1 day

The tranquil landscape of the Palouse is the product of some of the most catastrophic events recorded in the geologic record: large-scale lava flows, volcanic eruptions, glacial climates, and floods of unparalleled magnitude. Visitors will enjoy the serenity of the resulting land formations with a two-day journey along the byway.

Day 1

  • Start: Steptoe Butte State Park

    Drive the 3.1 mile loop to the top of Steptoe Butte for a panoramic view of the surrounding area. From the top you can see parts of three states.

  • Stop 1: Kamiak Butte County Park

    From previous stop: 40 minutes / 25 mi (40.0 km)
    Directions:

    Turn left onto Hume Rd to Oakesdale. Turn right on SR-27 and follow through Garfield and Palouse to Kamiak Butte Rd. Follow signs to the parking lot.
    Suggested time at this stop: 2 hours

    Hike the trails at Kamiak Butte County Park for a spectacular view of rolling farmland. As you wander up the hillside, keep an eye out for birds and animals. More than 130 bird species and 30 mammal species live on the butte.

  • Stop 2: Almota

    From previous stop: 45 minutes / 38 mi (60.8 km)
    Directions:

    SR-27 south to Pullman. Turn right on Davis Way, then left on Old Wawawai Rd. Follow SR-194 to Almota.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    Almota is located in the Snake River Gorge, one of the deepest gorges in America. Hike along the Snake River Trail to view the spectacular scenery of the river and canyon.

  • End: Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington

    From previous stop: 1 hour 30 minutes / 60 mi (96.0 km)
    Directions:

    Backtrack from Almota to Pullman. At the end of Wawawai Rd, turn left onto Davis Way. Merge onto US-195 North to Colfax. Turn left onto SR-26 west toward Seattle.

    The channeled scablands found near LaCrosse were created by prehistoric catastrophic floods. The flood channels offer interesting viewing for visitors.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 123 miles / 196.8 km
Total Travel Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 3 hours