Palouse Falls — Friday, Aug. 25, 2017

Palouse Falls is just beautiful.  The best of it can be seen from the viewing areas below the main parking area and the stone monument/shelter above and to the right of the main parking area. The area directly below the main parking area also has the large trees, picnic tables, and lawns. The graveled service road to the left of the parking area leads to the top of the mesa where one can look down on the Palouse River above the Falls, up the canyon, and over a lovely set of small falls. I highly recommend coming to see this incredible place as a day visit.  The sun on the Falls is best towards the end of the day - in the morning the Falls are in the shadows of the cliffs. 

I completely agree with previous posts about the dangers of trying the oh-so-enticing social trails. My feet wanted to hike them, my eyes looked at the access trails to them, and my brain wisely said "no." The park aid told me there have been 6 different helicopter rescues so far this year. The trail that appeared to be the easiest way down to the river above the Falls requires crossing the well-used train tracks and climbing a chain link fence. 

I camped overnight at the campground which has 11 walk-in tent sites, some closer to parking than others. The campground is VERY small, probably not even an acre. There are no demarcations between sites and the picnic tables marking the sites are 35-40 feet apart in a grid pattern. The sound of the waterfalls is great and the stars are to die for. Unfortunately for me, another group at the campground had come explicitly to party all night with multiple drugs and significant amounts of alcohol. The other campers all packed up and left, and I spent the night in my car at the far end of the overflow parking area.