Palouse Photography (A Palouse Road Trip with Photo Ops)

This Palouse Photography guide shows you some of the best photo spots in Washington state.  Come along for a full day of adventure in the Palouse region on the southeast corner of Washington. This post contains affiliate links.  This website earns a small commission for items purchased through these links with no additional cost to you. 

Map It – Palouse Photography Map!

Palouse Photography Map
Credit: Google Maps

Start in Clarkston

This Palouse Photography Driving Trip starts in Clarkston, WA.  This medium sized city has lots of choice of accommodation (Check Rates and Availability).  Or you can stay across the state border in Lewiston, ID.  (Check Rates and Availability).  Aren’t these adjoined city names the cutest – Lewiston & Clarkston?  Stop at one of the supermarkets in Clarkston to pick up some drinks and snacks.  Also, if you’re planning on visiting the two state parks in this post, you might consider picking up a Washington State Annual Discover Pass.  They sell them at Walmart for $35.  On a day Palouse Falls state park is staffed, you can purchase for $30 cash there.

Snake River Canyon – Highway 194

Snake River Canyon, Highway 194

A famous activity in Clarkston is a full day boat ride south on the Snake River Canyon.  These trips cost in excess of $200 for the day.  Follow my advice and you can save hundreds – driving north along the Snake River Canyon might not be as exciting as a jet boat (depends on how fast you drive), but the views are just as nice.  There are many places to stop along the way to do some boating, fishing, swimming, or camping.

More Highway 194 Views

Highway 194 views

Eventually, the highway veers northwest and you leave the Snake River Canyon.  You head up a wildflower filled canyon up to the plateau of the Palouse.  There are lots of Palouse Photography opportunities along here – from barns, rolling hills, artwork, and old cars gathering dust.

Pullman For Lunch and Ice Cream

If it’s lunchtime, you should stop in Pullman for lunch.  This university town has a wide selection of cuisine.

For dessert, you must head over to Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe.  It has cheese and ice cream from the Washington State University creamery.

Your Own Palouse Photography Exploration

Palouse Barn

Now you have some free time.  You want to get to Steptoe Butte State Park by late afternoon, so you have a few hours to explore.  Any of the roads between Pullman to Colfax and north are great.  Choose your own adventure.

Detour: Palouse Falls

From Colfax, it’s a 1 hour and 15-minute drive each way to the magnificent Palouse Falls.  Any serious Palouse Photographer should also stop at #thatnwbus, a deserted, spray-painted school bus.  For more info, check out my post on the Best Time to Visit Palouse Falls.

End:  Steptoe Butte State Park

Steptoe Butte View

If you’ve seen any pictures of the Palouse, they are likely to have come from Steptoe Butte State Park.  No hiking required here – you can drive all the way to the top of this mountain, where there’s parking for several dozen cars.  You can’t miss this park, as it’s the highest hill in the Palouse – almost unnatural.  The best time for Palouse Photography is during the “magic hour” – an hour or two before sunset, and at sunset too.  If you’re lucky, there will by paragliders which will give you a photo opportunity.  A fantastic end to a great Palouse Road Trip.  Watch for deer as you descend the mountain.  The State Discover Pass is required for the Steptoe Butte State Park – $10 for day or $30 for year (slightly more if you purchase at a vendor like Walmart or Fred Meyer).

Palouse Photography – Best Time to Visit

I loved my trip in early June.  Everything was so great and there were some wildflowers and amazing sunsets.  If you want to see with the yellow wheat, it’s best to visit in late summer.

Where to Stay for your Palouse Driving Trip

Serious photographers want to stay in Colfax  or the town of Palouse so they can make multiple trips up the Steptoe Butte for various times of day such as sunrise and sunset.  Unfortunately, the State park does not offer camping, so Colfax and Palouse is your closest location (Check Rates and Availability).

Love road trips?  Check out this ultimate Washington Road Trip.

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1 comment

    • Karen on August 11, 2018 at 4:43 am

    Wow it really is like Tuscany. Amazing shots. Kx

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