About the Port
Where the Palouse River meets the Snake, a stretch of columned basalt cliffs and open sky marks one of the more remote landings, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest's wheat country. Rolling hills patterned by wide farmland stretch beyond the river canyon, a landscape shaped by ancient floods and long cultivated by generations of growers. The setting is quiet and undeveloped, offering a contrast to more urban ports along the same waterway.
This stop serves as a gateway to Palouse Falls, a dramatic plunge into a rocky gorge and one of the region's most photographed natural features, typically reached by a short excursion from the riverbank. Travelers with an interest in geology, agriculture, or wide-open scenery find the area rewarding, and the drive inland reveals the full sweep of the Palouse's undulating fields.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Palouse River.
See Palouse Falls
A 198-foot cascade drops into a plunge pool ringed by columnar basalt, usually reached by a short inland excursion from the landing. Viewpoints near the parking area require little walking, though longer trails wind along the canyon rim.
Drive Through the Rolling Wheat Hills
Head inland to see the Palouse's signature patchwork of farmland, its dune-like hills carved by ancient floods and shaped by generations of grain growers. Best appreciated from higher overlooks along the excursion route.
Walk the Basalt Canyon Rim
Short walks near the river landing reveal columned rock walls and open sky, a quiet counterpoint to more developed river stops. Sturdy shoes help on the uneven, undeveloped terrain.
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Cruises That Visit Palouse River
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 5, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,909 | |
| Sep 12, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $6,394 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,471 | |
| Sep 19, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,969 | |
| Sep 24, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,670 | |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,362 | |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,344 | |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $6,125 | |
| Oct 4, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,847 | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,236 | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Lion | 5 | $3,535 | |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,177 | |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Lindblad Expeditions | NG Sea Bird | 7 | $5,243 |