Palouse Falls State Park is definitely the shining star of Eastern Washington’s natural wonders. In fact, the 198-foot Palouse Falls just so happens to be Washington’s official state waterfall! But if you’ve only seen this area in the summertime, you’re really missing out. When the temperature drops and the water starts to freeze, the sight is absolutely magical. There are countless waterfalls in Washington to explore in every season, but this winter, add Palouse Falls to your bucket list.

Palouse Falls State Park is located in the eastern part of the state on the outskirts of Washtucna, one of Washington's most scarcely populated communities.
Mark Ludwick/Flickr
In 2014, Palouse Falls was given the honor of being named Washington's official state waterfall.
Andrew E. Larson/Flickr
Also known as Aput Aput, meaning "Falling Water," a name given by the Palouse Indians, Palouse Falls is located within Palouse Falls State Park. The waterfall tumbles down nearly 200 feet from its basalt rock surroundings in a powerful single cascade that is hard to put into perspective without seeing it in person. But it's certainly one of the most unique waterfalls in Washington.
The 105-acre state park that houses the waterfall has a unique geology and history that differs from the rest of the state.
Palouse Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in Washington, as well as the state's official waterfall.
Noemi C/Getty Images
According to Palouse tribe legend, the Palouse River once flowed into the Snake. But in an effort to spear a mythical creature known as Big Beaver, four giant brothers accidentally created the falls. Every time Big Beaver was wounded, he gouged the canyon walls, causing the river to bend and change. The fifth time he was speared, he completely tore out the huge canyon. The river tumbled over a cliff at this point to become Palouse Falls. The jagged canyon walls are said to show the markings of Big Bear's claws.
Geologically-speaking, the canyon was formed by ancient Ice Age flooding, but the Palouse tribe's tale is a lot more exciting.
Andrey/Lutsyk/YouTube
Speaking of ice... it gets pretty cold in this part of the state, and winters can be quite brutal.
Andrey Lutsyk/YouTube

Related Stories

Here Are the 9 Best Places To Go Sled Riding In Washington This Winter

Here Are the 9 Best Places To Go Sled Riding In Washington This Winter

 Iceberg Point Trail Is A Hidden Gem Of An All-Season Hike In Washington

Iceberg Point Trail Is A Hidden Gem Of An All-Season Hike In Washington

 9 Charming Towns In Washington That Are Even More Perfect In The Wintertime

9 Charming Towns In Washington That Are Even More Perfect In The Wintertime
However, when the temperatures drop and the waterfall freezes, it looks absolutely stunning.
Chris Boswell/Getty Images
Amazingly, even beneath the ice a little water continues to flow.
It takes a lot for the water in this area to freeze, but when it does, it's simply magical.
A frozen waterfall in Washington on the Washington-Idaho border.
Andrey Lutsyk/YouTube
Of course, not everyone can make it to Palouse Falls in winter.
Chris Boswell/Getty Images
The roads can be a bit treacherous, and not every vehicle will be safe.
Andrey Lutsyk/YouTube
But if you can make it here safely during a calm winter, the sight of this epic frozen waterfall in Washington is worth the trip!
Anrey Lutsyk/YouTube
If you can't make it to Palouse Falls before spring, this video footage from Andrey Lutsyk is the next best thing.
Andrey Lutsyk/YouTube

We love that our state waterfall looks so incredible in every season! Palouse Falls may not get all of the attention that its Olympic counterparts do, but we definitely think it’s one of the coolest waterfalls in Washington.

Palouse Falls isn’t the only magical place to visit in winter. Check out some of our other favorite state parks in Washington to visit during the off season.

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Waterfalls in Washington & Related Info

Jennifer | November 22, 2022

What are the tallest waterfalls in Washington state?

Washington has over 3,000 documented waterfalls, the majority of which are located in the western half of the state. While not all of Washington's waterfalls are easy to access, many can be reached by hiking or backpacking. Some of the tallest and most popular waterfalls in Washington include:

 

 

Related Articles

Explore Washington

Featured Addresses
Palouse Falls State Park, Palouse Falls Rd, LaCrosse, WA 99143, USA