Palouse Falls waterfall descending into a circular basalt canyon and plunge pool in Washington State

    Palouse Falls dropping into the basalt plunge pool of Palouse Falls State Park in Washington State.

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    Palouse Falls

    Water Feature

    Palouse Falls is a large waterfall on the Palouse River in southeastern Washington, dropping through a basalt canyon below the surrounding plateau landscape. The scene is defined by vertical cliffs, dark volcanic rock, and the winding river corridor extending downstream from the falls. Compositions form through scale, canyon depth, and the relationship between the waterfall, river, and layered basalt walls.

    46.66340, -118.22372

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    Gallery

    Palouse Falls waterfall descending into a circular basalt canyon and plunge pool in Washington State

    Palouse Falls dropping into the basalt plunge pool of Palouse Falls State Park i…

    Palouse Falls plunging into a circular canyon basin with the river winding through basalt cliffs in Washington State

    Palouse Falls drops into a basalt amphitheater canyon carved by Ice Age floodwat…

    Basalt canyon walls and river channel below Palouse Falls in Palouse Falls State Park, Washington State

    Basalt canyon walls and flood-scoured rock along the Palouse River below Palouse…

    Palouse Falls flowing into a basalt canyon along the Palouse River in Washington State

    Palouse Falls dropping into the basalt canyon of the Palouse River in Washington…

    Palouse Falls dropping into a basalt canyon in southeastern Washington State under clear blue skies

    Palouse Falls plunges into a basalt canyon shaped by the ancient Missoula Floods…

    Long-exposure photograph of Palouse Falls flowing into a circular plunge pool within a basalt canyon in Washington State

    Long-exposure view of Palouse Falls descending into the basalt canyon of the Pal…

    Basalt canyon walls surrounding the Palouse River in southeastern Washington State

    The basalt canyon of the Palouse River downstream from Palouse Falls in southeas…

    Aerial view looking directly down over Palouse Falls and its circular plunge basin in Washington State

    Top-down aerial view of Palouse Falls plunging into a circular basalt canyon bas…

    Quick Facts

    Access

    Short Walk

    5–15 min

    Elevation Gain

    20 m

    Best Light

    Sunrise
    Sunset

    Low-angle light enhances canyon depth and cliff texture while maintaining separation between the waterfall, river corridor, and dark basalt walls.

    Why This Light

    Low-Angle Relief
    Wide DR OK

    Season

    Seasonally Distinct

    Summer produces lower river flow and drier grassland tones surrounding the canyon system. Winter and spring bring stronger water flow, cooler tones, and increased contrast between the river, basalt cliffs, and surrounding plateau terrain.

    Crowds

    Often Busy

    Restrictions

    Trails and canyon edges can become hazardous during wet or icy conditions, especially near exposed viewpoints above the gorge.

    Photography Notes

    Use the canyon rim and surrounding viewpoints to frame both the waterfall and the downstream river corridor within the basalt gorge. Adjust position to balance foreground rock, canyon depth, and the relationship between the falls and winding river below.
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