This is a general route map. There are some stops that are not included in the general route, and provided bellow.
ALT means you may choose optional points to visit if you do not want to plan them all, depending on the weather condition.
Also you may consider splitting this trip into several trips.
Tips: For this trip you may want to arrive at Steptoe Butte State Park at sunrise or sunset for more dramatic and beautiful view.
- Wild Horse Monument / ~
- Hotels in Ephrata
- Steamboat Rock State Park
- Dry Falls Visitor Center / ~20 min
- ALT Dry Falls Heritage Area / ~30 min
- Soap Lake
- Palouse Falls / ~35 min
- Palouse Hills (Steptoe Butte State Park) / ~30 min
- Hotels in Colfax
- Ancient Lakes
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park / ~25 min
Day 1
Wild Horse Monument
For this trip we started at 3 pm from Seattle. The only point to visit on this day was Wild Horse Monument. Easy hike up to the monument with a nice view of Columbia River. The road from Seattle to Wild Horse Monument usually takes 2h 15 min.
You may need 15 – 30 min for this attraction. There is a very small hike to the top of the hill. The way down the hill may be slippery. People found a rattlesnake in one of the bushes. Keep your children and pets close to you in this area. Rattlesnake does not like people and does not approach if you do not provoke it.
You may choose to stay in one of the Hotels in Ephrata to be ready for the next day
Day 2
Steamboat Rock State Park
Large and beautiful park. You may discover it using 6.0 miles roundtrip hike with 650 ft gain.
Dry Falls
Very short stop at the top Dry Falls Visitor Center for taking pictures and coffee, and proceed down the hill to the Dry Falls Heritage Area You do not need to get out of your car to enjoy the view. The road is rough though.
Soap Lake
We did a short stop to try what this water is like. If you like it, you may have fun and swim here.
The official waterfall of Washington State. Just 1 mile roundtrip.
You will need Discover Pass to visit except free days listed here.
Palouse Hills (Steptoe Butte State Park)
Very unusual place with unique view of the landscape. The road itself is beautiful. There is a high hill in the middle of these small ones with almost no trees to hide the scenic view from the top. It is better to be here 1 hour before sunset.
Compare the views: the one above was shot before sunset and the one bellow at noon.
The closest place to stay overnight is Colfax.
Day 3
Kamiak Butte County Park
This Park is offering an alternative view of the hills. There is a hike 3.5 miles roundtrip with 900 ft gain.
Ancient Lakes
On the way back there is a place where you may just drive-through to enjoy views or stop for a hike.
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
This is a quick stop on the way back. This place offers a gorgeous view of the Colombia River, especially close to sunset.