Ride Washington’s Palouse Scenic Byway

There’s no right or wrong way to navigate the Palouse Scenic Byway motorcycle route. It’s made up of Hwy. 195, Hwy. 27, Hwy. 26, and several others, so you can tackle the route several different ways:

• Start in Spokane and head south on Hwy. 195 before looping around to the west.

• Begin your road trip from the west at Palouse Falls State Park and then head east on Hwy. 26.

• Set up a base in a central location like Pullman or Palouse and explore in different directions over several days.

Palouse Scenic Byway motorcycle route covers over 200 miles of farmland and hills, offering scenic views, small-town charm, and rich history.

Plan your route based on what you'd like to see and do. Whether you want to spend a night in Pullman or plan a Steptoe Butte picnic, use our interactive Palouse Scenic Byway route map to plan your road trip.

Pullman, WA—known for its miles of rolling hills and wheat and legume production—is a central location when riding the Palouse Scenic Byway. Refer to the following average monthly temperatures, based on the weather in Pullman, as you plan your trip.

Fatigue is one of the great safety concerns associated with a motorcycle route this long. Long-distance riding is physically and mentally exhausting. And overextending yourself can impact your reaction time, decision-making, alertness, and more. For this route, plan a few stops along the way and make sure you’re well-rested and staying hydrated.

The Palouse Scenic Byway motorcycle route is home to plenty of wildlife that can cross the road without warning. Elk, deer, bears, moose, and mountain goats are the larger mammals to watch out for. Since this area is known for its farmland, also be alert for roaming livestock.

When planning your Palouse Scenic Byway motorcycle route, consider these stops. These recommendations are spread across the byway, offering great resting points throughout your motorcycle journey.

Palouse Falls State Park offers great hiking and bird-watching opportunities. It’s also home to Palouse Falls, the official state waterfall, which drops 200 feet into a large churning bowl. There are three viewpoints, the highest of which is the Fryxell Overlook.

This 94-acre park provides limited first-come-first-served tent camping spots, so if you plan to stay, have a second lodging option in mind. During the summer, this remote area gets extremely hot. Bring plenty of water and come prepared for no cell phone service.

Pullman is ideal for regrouping while you cruise the Palouse Scenic Byway. Home to Washington State University, Pullman has plenty of shops, restaurants, and hotels.

Downton’s Main Street is a great way to spend an afternoon. Pups & Cups is a fun spot to hang out if you love coffee, wine, and dogs. Enjoy a meal at the South Fork Public House or Birch & Barley, before checking out one of the nearby county parks, like Kamiak Butte County Park.

Regardless of where you start, take note of Steptoe Butte, a 3,612-foot quartzite butte that offers unmatched views. This State Park Heritage Site offers a 360-degree view of the Palouse region, which looks like a vast green and yellow quilt in spring. On a clear day, you can see Idaho and Oregon from the summit, 3,600+ feet above sea level.

This area also has a 168-acre day park, making it a wonderful spot to stop for a picnic. You may even spot a paraglider drifting above the park. Please note there’s a $10 fee to use the park for the day (8:00 am to dusk year-round).