By Ken Graham
The Times
State Parks are a Local Treat
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July 18, 2013
The view of the falls from the lookout at Palouse Falls State Park is stunning, especially on a sunny summer day.
DAYTON - About 15 miles north of Starbuck can be found one of the most stunning sites in the Pacific Northwest. From a vantage point above it, Palouse Falls State Park provides a spectacular view of its namesake falls and the river that feeds it.
The park also offers great views of the canyon running south away from the falls toward the Snake River.
The state park encompasses 105 acres and includes a campground, large picnic area, restrooms and extensive walking trails. A Washington State Parks "Discover Pass" - which costs $10 for a daily pass or $30 for an annual pass - is required to enter the park.
Palouse Falls was created by Ice-Age floods from Lake Missoula 15,000 years ago. They were discovered by an American exploration team in 1841 and named after the Palouse Tribe, which lived in the area.
The land for the park was donated by several local landowners, and the park was dedicated in 1951.
Once you spring for an annual Discover Pass you can visit all of the Washington state parks. That includes the one just down the road (from either Dayton or Waitsburg) called Lewis and Clark Trail State Park.
LCT Park includes a large campground on the north side of Highway 12, with 25 vehicle campsites ($23/ night) and four primitive sites ($12 per night, for hikers and cyclists only). A group camp site is also available for $50 per night. A short but lovely hiking trail runs along the Touchet River. A Discover Pass is not required for overnight camping.
Across Highway 12 to the south is the LCT day-use area. Its beautiful grounds include more than 20 picnic tables and a group picnic shelter, available by reservation. It also includes a short hiking trail and a large ballfield.
In order to use the LCT day-use area, a Discover Pass is required.
The LCT park land was first homesteaded in 1859 and became part of the state park system in 1934.
For more information on the two state parks in our area, go to the "Find a Park" section at www.parks.wa.gov. Discover Passes can be purchased on the website as well.
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