Whitman Mission National Historic Site

The Whitman Mission National Historic Site, located west of Walla Walla, commemorates the former Whitman Mission at Waiilatpu in the mid-19th century. Mission buildings are long gone, but visitors have many choices to learn about the history of the area: a visitor center museum, a film, a self-guided audio tour, a ranger-led walk and a series of information boards. 

The Whitman Mission site also offers about 3 miles of walking trails. The Mill Pond Loop is a wheelchair-accessible, paved trail of 0.4 mile. It winds past the location of the former mission buildings, an orchard and the former mill pond. The Gravesite and Hill Trail (0.5 mile) is also paved, but after the first 0.1 mile, it ascends steeply and is not wheelchair-accessible. It leads to the top of a hill with a large obelisk and fantastic views of the valley and surrounding countryside. 

In addition to the paved trails, the park service offers two “mowed trails” of about 1 mile each. These are fairly level, but the ground is uneven and may be difficult for visitors with mobility challenges. One of these trails makes a rough square, beginning from the paved trail in the orchard. It heads south to the boundary of the historic site, turns left and runs parallel to the Walla Walla River for a bit, turns north adjacent to an irrigated farm field and returns to the paved trail via a portion of a spur of the Oregon Trail. 

The mowed trails at Mill Creek depart from the far end of the parking lot near a large picnic shelter. One branch leads west along Mill Creek to Sweagle Road. The other branch winds east past some wetlands and ends at the paved trail at the Great Grave site.

You can walk the trails anytime you like during daylight hours. Visitor center hours vary seasonally, so check the National Park Service website for details. The site is fee-free year-round.