Fodor's Expert Review Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site

Just north of its confluence with the Snake River, the Palouse River gushes over a basalt cliff higher than Niagara Falls and drops 198 feet into a steep-walled basin. Those who are sure-footed can hike to an overlook above the falls, which are at their fastest during spring runoff in March. Just downstream from the falls at the Marmes Rock Shelter, remains of the earliest-known inhabitants of North America, dating back 10,000 years, were discovered by archaeologists. The park is available for day use only and has no cell phone service. It's a popular birding spot and has plenty of picnic tables, plus a shaved ice vendor on site Friday through Sunday from April to October.