Whitman County: Landscapes, Trails and Culture

Whitman County brings together the landscapes of the Palouse Hills, river canyons, parks and places steeped in history and culture. If you’re looking for a hotel in Whitman County, one initial question can help guide your choice: Should your trip focus mainly on views and water, trails, or historic places and events? The options differ considerably.

Landscapes between the Palouse Hills and river canyons

Kamiak Butte rises 3,641 feet above the Palouse Hills; the county park of the same name covers 298 acres. Wawawai County Park offers a different setting: Its 49-acre site lies in the Snake River Canyon, three miles upstream from Lower Granite Dam. Klemgard County Park encompasses 59 acres of recreational space for day visits in a wooded canyon.

Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site is designated a National Natural Landmark. From there, panoramic views stretch across the surrounding farmland, mountains and states. Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site also pairs scenery with a clearly defined destination: The 94-acre day-use park offers a viewpoint with panoramic views of the falls and Palouse River Canyon. At Palouse Falls, the Palouse River plunges 200 feet into a churning pool within a basalt canyon. Important for planning your visit: All trails into the canyon and to the base of the falls are permanently closed.

Trails with different routes

Length, use and route are useful points of comparison. The seven-mile paved Bill Chipman Palouse Trail connects Pullman and Moscow along a former railroad line. The Snake River Trail is 3.5 miles long and designated for walking and biking; it runs from Almota Creek through Boyer Park to the base of Lower Granite Lock and Dam. In Colfax, the Palouse River Trail is a five-mile, flat out-and-back route along the Palouse River. So the trails differ in more than length: the Bill Chipman Trail connects two towns, the Snake River Trail ends at the dam, and the Colfax trail is described as an out-and-back route.

Camping rules also differ by location. In the county park system, camping is limited to designated campsites at Kamiak Butte County Park and Wawawai County Park; sites are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Boyer Park and Marina on the Snake River covers 56 acres and includes a full-service marina and campground. The site has boat moorage, campsites and cabins.

History, culture and regional events

The region’s history is told from different perspectives at several sites. Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site commemorates an 1858 battle between U.S. troops and Native American tribes. Interpretive panels tell the story of the battle and the U.S. soldiers’ retreat. Holy Trinity Chapel was built in 1896; the small, carefully preserved former Episcopal church remains intact in its original form. In Uniontown stands St. Boniface Church, built in 1905 and considered the first consecrated Catholic church in Washington.

Several museums and historic sites focus on everyday life and the area’s development. The Rosalia Museum displays objects relating to the regional history of Rosalia, Malden and Thornton, covering topics such as home life, local commerce, railroads and agriculture, as well as tools and items from everyday life on the Palouse. The Newspaper and Printing Museum preserves letterpress and Linotype equipment and methods. It has an extensive collection of early newspapers from across Whitman County and presents rotating exhibits featuring regional artifacts and photographs. The restored Jones Schoolhouse is used for community gatherings; visitors can experience an authentic one-room schoolhouse there.

The performing and visual arts also offer cultural experiences. Artisans at the Dahmen Barn houses artists’ studios as well as Hay Loft Hall, a venue for exhibitions and performances. Since restoration began in 2000, the Empire Theater in Tekoa has developed into a performing arts center for the county and surrounding areas; a description from January/February 2026 calls it an established center. In Pullman, the National Lentil Festival has celebrated lentils since 1989. The festival includes a food and arts-and-crafts market, as well as the “World’s Largest Lentil Chili Bowl.”

The Palouse River is also used for canoeing and kayaking in the Palouse region, which offers diverse wildlife and striking rock formations. Along with the information about parks, trails and cultural sites, this gives a broad picture of possible travel interests, without requiring any one focus to define every stay.

Discover more destinations: Colfax, Pullman, Malden, Douglas County, Pierce, Cowlitz, Mason County and Stevens County.

For the broader travel overview: Washington.