📷 Photo by Kush Dwivedi on UnsplashThe Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall
South from Spokane into the rolling farmland of the Palouse, with a summit view from Steptoe Butte, a dramatic canyon waterfall and two college towns.
- Distance
- 302 km (188 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 21 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 6
- States
- WA, ID
- Updated
- June 6, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 302 km (188 mi) with 6 stops, from Spokane to Moscow. About 3 h 21 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Washington, Idaho · More road trips from Spokane
Route description
US-195 runs south from Spokane into the Palouse, a landscape of steep, rolling hills planted with wheat, lentils and peas. The farm roads between the main highways are the real attraction: gravel lanes, weathered barns and grain elevators on the skyline.
Steptoe Butte rises above it all, and the road to the top circles the hill several times. Sunrise and the hour before sunset give the famous striped shadows across the fields; the road is narrow, so larger RVs should park at the bottom.
From Colfax, head west on back roads to Palouse Falls, where the river plunges into a basalt canyon carved by the Ice Age floods. The state park has a small campground and short, fenced viewpoints; the rougher trails near the edge are not maintained.
Finish in Pullman, home of Washington State University, and Moscow, Idaho, just across the state line, both with easygoing downtowns. The hills are green in May and June and golden at the August harvest.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Spokane
WA - 284 km
Steptoe Butte
ViewsColfax, WAA quartzite knob rising above the rolling wheat hills of the Palouse. A narrow road spirals to the top, where photographers gather at sunrise and sunset.
- 321 km
Colfax
WA - 484 km
Palouse Falls
NatureWashtucna, WAWashington’s state waterfall drops about 200 feet into a basalt bowl carved by Ice Age floods. The viewpoints are a short walk from the parking area; stay behind the fences.
- 596 km
Pullman
WA - 616 km
Moscow
ID
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Spokane → Colfax · 66 mi · 1 h 10 minOn the way: Steptoe Butte.Overnight nearby, for example: Illia Landing Campground (14 mi); Lambi Creek Recreation Area (15 mi).
- Day 2: Colfax → Palouse Falls · 52 mi · 0 h 56 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ayer Boat Basin Campground (9 mi); Riparia Recreation Area Campground (9 mi).
- Day 3: Palouse Falls → Moscow · 70 mi · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Pullman.Overnight nearby, for example: Robinson Park Campground (5 mi); Pullman RV Park (8 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall?
3-day road trip of about 302 km (188 mi) with 6 stops, from Spokane to Moscow. About 3 h 21 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 21 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall start and end?
It starts in Spokane and ends in Moscow.
Which states does The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall pass through?
Washington and Idaho.
Where can you camp along The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall?
OpenStreetMap lists 45 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Ayer Boat Basin Campground, Devils Bench Campground and Riparia Recreation Area Campground.
When is the best time for The Palouse: wheat hills and a hidden waterfall?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
