Driving and hiking the Palouse and other Moscow, ID Things to Do Tips

The rolling hills of the Palouse, covered with rich fields of wheat, canola and peas are absolutely stunning. When I went in the spring, shades of green or bright yellow under blue sky dotted with white clouds were spectacular. The hills are quite big and at places steep. Although my description might make you think "so what, wheat fields under blue sky!", you need to go there and see how photogenic this area is. Finally, the old traditional barns, most of them red, and the pretty villages with painted wood houses, add to the colorful ensemble.
One hill, Kamiak Butte, in Washington state, not far from the Idaho border is taller than most and offers a great point of view and hiking opportunities.

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Phone: (509) 397-6238
Directions: Kamiak Butte County Park, Washington state, USA:
13 miles North of Pullman, West of road 27.

This magnificent canyon is where it started all: the huge Columbia basalt province poured out from this very spot. If you are geologist you might notive the "feeding dykes" criss-crossing the basalt layers, i.e. the lava conduits where the basalt was brought to the surface and poured out, all the way to the Pacific coast about 14.5 million years ago. Go see my "General Tip" for a map of this.
One can drive down a winding road to go to the bottom of the canyon with beautiful views all along.

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Directions: Southeast corner of Washington State. South on road 129 , about 40 miles South of Clarkston/Lewiston, i.e. about 70 miles South of Moscow.

A huge and beautiful water fall is the highlight of this nice little park. The white of the water is enhanced by the black of the basalt, very photogenic! There are numerous trails around, along the rim of the canyon. This part of Washington state is very dry, pretty much a desert in comparison to the surroundings of Moscow and Pullman.

It cost $5 per car.
Restrooms and camping grounds are available.

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Phone: 509-646-9218
Directions: 15 miles S of Washtucna on Road 261, Washington State
About 80 miles W of Pullman.

One of the famous rivers of the US winds through this region, the Snake river. This water corridor was taken by the famous Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805-1806 which was the first "white" people exploration to reach the Pacific coast. Indeed, the Snake river is a tributary to the Columbia river,which runs into the Pacific. Two towns, about 30 miles South of Moscow, were named Lewiston and Clarkston in honor of these pioneering days.
Just West of Lewiston, a little road (193) parallel the Snake river, where spectacular views from inside its canyon with its sheer basalt walls are to be enjoyed. I also saw a paddle-wheel boat going down the river, presumably for tourists from Lewiston (see white speck on picture).

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Directions: Road 193 along the Snake River East of Lewiston, Wahington state.