Palouse Falls
- Height
- 200 ft
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Palouse Falls drops about 200 ft on Palouse River in Whitman County, Washington.
Closures and warnings
All trails into the canyon and base of Palouse Falls are permanently closed. Venturing beyond designated viewing areas and trails is prohibited. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 200 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | State park: Palouse River drops 200 ft into a churning basalt bowl; Washington official state waterfall |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Road | Gravel |
|---|---|
| Road note | Palouse Falls Road access; trailers and RVs not allowed in the park |
| Parking | Day-use lot at the heritage site; parking is extremely limited with long waits on weekends and holidays |
| When it fills | Expect long waits to enter on weekends and holidays |
| Fee | Discover Pass required: $10 one-day or $45 annual |
| Hours | Summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk; winter 8 a.m. to dusk |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Water system winterized Oct 31 to April 1; day-use park remains open on the winter schedule |
| Wheelchair access | Accessible parking and accessible trails listed among park amenities |
| Managed by | Washington State Parks (Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Picnic shelters, grills, observation deck, automated pay station |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
| Fires | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Palouse Falls open?
All trails into the canyon and base of Palouse Falls are permanently closed. Venturing beyond designated viewing areas and trails is prohibited. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Water system winterized Oct 31 to April 1; day-use park remains open on the winter schedule. Hours: Summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk; winter 8 a.m. to dusk.
How tall is Palouse Falls?
Palouse Falls drops about 200 ft.
Can you swim at Palouse Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Palouse Falls.
How do you get to Palouse Falls?
The road in is gravel. Palouse Falls Road access; trailers and RVs not allowed in the park. Parking: Day-use lot at the heritage site; parking is extremely limited with long waits on weekends and holidays. Expect long waits to enter on weekends and holidays.
Do you need a reservation for Palouse Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Palouse Falls?
The fee is Discover Pass required: $10 one-day or $45 annual.
When is Palouse Falls flowing?
State park: Palouse River drops 200 ft into a churning basalt bowl; Washington official state waterfall.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Palouse Falls is inside Palouse Falls State Park and Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site .
Sources
2
- https://parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/palouse-falls-state-park-heritage-site (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterbodyName / waterfall.heightFt / flowNote, access.hours, access.fee, access.parking / parkingPattern / roadNote, access.amenities / wheelchairAccess, rules.dogs / fires / camping, hazardNote / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://parks.wa.gov/find-activities/winter-schedule (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.seasonalClosure)
More: Washington waterfalls