Top places to photograph in Palouse in 2024

The Country Bible Church is a classic white clapboard church located amid the hills of the Palouse near the small town of Dusty.

This spot is one of the most photographed locations in the Palouse. It consists of a large white barn with a classic silo, several other buildings, and an additional event space. The barn is surrounded by a fence constructed of old wagon wheels. The barn and attached event space are home to the Artisans at the Dahmen Barn, a group of local artists. The barn provides the artists with working studio spaces as well as a place to showcase their art.

The Dusty Cemetery sits on a short green hill east of the unincorporated town of Dusty, Washington. Founded in 1901, there are few pre-century gravestones here. Regardless, the cemetery does contain some interesting monuments and has a view of the adjoining Dusty grain elevators.

This spot features a well maintained red, classic gothic-style red barn with a round silo. An old truck is parked near the barn. The truck’s position may change year-to-year, but typically is nicely lined up with the barn. This is one of the most popular photography spots in the Palouse.

The Heidenreich Dairy Barn was built in 1910 and was refurbished in 2009. It is a Washington State Heritage Barn, and in 2011, it won the Heritage Barn Rehabilitation award from the Washington State Department of Archeology and Preservation.

The barn was recently renamed the Palouse Knot Barn and turned into a wedding and event venue.

The Town of Oakesdale is a small farming community in the northern Palouse area. It is part of the Palouse Scenic Byway. The town provides several photographic opportunities including a historic flour mill and other old buildings. Oakesdale also hosts a small museum.

Oakesdale was first settled in 1886 and incorporated in 1890, the same year the flour mill was built. The mill is reportedly the last surviving of the 19 flour mills that once were found in Whitman County.

In Palouse Falls State Park, the Palouse River falls about 185 feet over the edge of a basalt cliff into a deep canyon. The canyon below the falls is marked by green moss and plants along the cliffs near the falls, as well as green riverine vegetation along the river banks, making a wonderful contrast with the black basalt and surrounding brown hills (or in spring, brown and green hills). The canyon below the falls is scenic on its own accord and would be worth a visit even without the falls. The canyon curves to the south just downstream from the falls. There is a campground perched on the western canyon rim.

Standing more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, Steptoe Butte offers unparalleled views of the rolling hills and fields of the Palouse. With good reason, it is the most popular photographic location in the region. Near sunrise and sunset in late spring and early summer, you will find dozens or more other photographers sharing the view. Luckily, you will find plenty of room for everyone to set up a tripod. There is some debate about whether the views are better from the top or partway down the slopes. This southern viewpoint is about 430 feet lower than the top and, though usually not as crowded as the top, it is popular with photographers. The view is to the south and partially to the east and west.

Standing more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, Steptoe Butte offers unparalleled views of the rolling hills and fields of the Palouse. With good reason, it is the most popular photographic location in the region. Near sunrise and sunset in late spring and early summer, you will find dozens or more other photographers sharing the view. Luckily, you will find plenty of room for everyone to set up a tripod. There is some debate about whether the views are better from the top or partway down the slopes, but this spot describes the two viewpoints at the top. One is at the parking area at the south end of the summit, which is about 50 feet lower than the views from the parking area at the top. Both these spots are very popular with photographers. The view from the southern parking area is to the south, with partial views to the west and east. From the top, the view is in all directions.

This spot features an old windmill set in a field next to a curving dirt road.

Standing more than 1,000 feet above the surrounding landscape, Steptoe Butte offers unparalleled views of the rolling hills and fields of the Palouse. With good reason, it is the most popular photographic location in the region. Near sunrise and sunset in late spring and early summer, you will find dozens or more other photographers sharing the view. Luckily, you will find plenty of room for everyone to set up a tripod. There is some debate about whether the views are better from the top or partway down the slopes, such as this viewpoint. It is about 550 feet lower than the top and, though usually not as crowded as the top, it is very popular with photographers. The view is to the west and partially to the north and south.