The Pacific Northwest's Most Underrated Region
The Pacific Northwest is an easy contender for the most beautiful region of the United States. Exemplified by its snow-capped mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and wonderful stretches of Pacific Ocean coastline, it is, without a doubt, a nature lover's paradise. This is without mentioning its thriving cities, like Seattle and Portland, among other cultural and economic offerings.
There is, however, another side of the PNW that few people picture when thinking about this corner of the country. While the western areas near the coast get most of the attention, the eastern half sits in stark contrast in a number of different ways.
From the Rocky Mountains of Idaho to the deserts of southeastern Oregon, we will be discussing this vast, yet little travelled, side of the Pacific Northwest. Join us as we uncover why this highly underrated region deserves more attention, and decide for yourself if it's worthy of your next great American roadtrip.
Palouse
Let's start in a distinct region that covers parts of north-central Idaho, huge swathes of eastern Washington State, and even some of northeastern Oregon. Palouse stands out as an important agricultural area, with its rolling, grass-covered hills that seem to go on forever. This fertile landscape was shaped by eons of wind, water, and other unique natural factors.
How Palouse got its name is debated, but one theory is that it is related to the French word "pelouse," meaning "land with short and thick grass." This makes sense given that it was in fact French-Canadian fur traders who were among the earliest Europeans to explore the region.
Deeply green in spring, golden in its often dry summers, and earthy brown in fall and winter, Palouse serves as a cool spot for landscape photographers and outdoor adventurers alike. There are a number of parks, towns, and other locations worth exploring here if you'd like to get a look for yourself.
Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site
Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site rises 3,612 feet above the Palouse, making it easily one of the highest points in the region. Because of this, it is an essential landmark to visit to get a true visual lay of the land. The butte, formed from quartzite over 400 million years old, contrasts with the lower surrounding hills, which are primarily formed out of ancient silt.
A winding road leads to the summit, where you can take in a 360-degree view of farmlands, distant mountains, and ever-changing light patterns across the landscape as clouds drift past the sun. Popular with photographers, sightseers, and even paragliders, the site also holds significance for Palouse's native peoples, as it was a vital waypoint for hunters and gatherers traveling through the area.
Today the slopes of the butte are covered in apple trees and other tall standing foliage that also contrast with the nearby fields. Its summit also features a modern satellite tower.
The land managed as a heritage site and preserves both its geological history and cultural importance, and is open for the public to explore in the warmer months of the year.
Pullman
Pullman, Washington is the largest city in Palouse, housing a population of nearly 33,000 residents. It is best known as the home of Washington State University, and serves as the main cultural and economic hub for the area. It also serves as one of the best places to stay for travelers, with a wide selection of amenities, landmarks, and other attractions.
Here, you can find a number of museums and other historic sites to teach you more about the town and the Palouse region as a whole. The Pullman Depot Heritage Center, for example, is an interesting spot that covers the community's past function as an important train stop, while buildings like Bryan Hall, with its ornate red brick clock tower, are a draw for those who love old-timey architecture.
To see the town and its surrounding area's natural side, Sunnyside Park and Lawson Gardens offer green spaces for relaxation, while the nearby Kamiak Butte provides hiking trails with expansive views of the Palouse hills. The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail connects Pullman to Moscow, Idaho, providing a scenic route for cyclists and pedestrians to appreciate as well.
The Channeled Scablands
The Channeled Scablands of eastern Washington are an otherworldly landscape shaped by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods during the last Ice Age. These floods, occurring between 15,000 and 13,000 years ago, resulted from the periodic rupture of an ice dam holding back the former Glacial Lake Missoula. When the dam failed, monumental torrents of water (comparable to the combined flow of all the world’s rivers) rushed across the Columbia Basin at once, carving deep channels, dry cataracts, and vast basalt coulees in a relatively short period of time.
Now quite the desert, this rugged terrain spans thousands of square miles and includes distinct features like Dry Falls, a former waterfall that dwarfed Niagara Falls, and the Grand Coulee, a massive canyon system on the mighty Columbia River (the site of the vital Grand Coulee Dam too).
The Scablands are also home to numerous unusual rock formations, fossil beds, petrified forests, and erratic boulders transported by floodwaters that you can find if you can brave the vast, arid wildernesses of this region.
Today, sites like Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, Palouse Falls, and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park are there to offer in-depth knowledge about the incredible geologic history of the Scablands, while also providing spots for hiking, photography, and camping.
Often overshadowed by the lush landscapes of the western Pacific Northwest, the Channeled Scablands are there for those looking for an uncorrupted, barren, yet scenic in its own odd way, destination to explore.
The Deserts of Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon is an almost exact opposite of its western counterpart. Instead of verdant coastal scenery, it harbors harsh, arid desert-scapes that see blisteringly hot summer conditions and few human settlements. Some enjoy its desolate beauty though, and these are a few standout locations to experience what this region has to offer.
Painted Hills
The Painted Hills of Oregon, part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, showcase vibrant layers of red, gold, and black sedimentary rock. This eye-catching, hilly landscape was formed by changing climate conditions over millions of years, providing a glimpse into the region’s prehistoric story.
The area appeals to paleontologists, both professional and amateur, due to its rich stores of fossilized plants and animals, revealing evidence of ancient ecosystems that once thrived here. You can explore this landmark via short hiking trails, like the Painted Cove and Carroll Rim trails, for up-close views of the hills, and potentially find some new fossils along the way!
The closest town is the quaint community of Mitchell. Appearing to have not changed since the time of the Wild West, this one street town is home to fewer than 140 residents and truly feels like a step back in time. Be sure to grab a bite to eat and a cold drink at Tiger Town Brewing Co., and then check out the wooden false front shops nearby that look straight out of a cowboy movie.
Alvord Desert
The Alvord Desert is located in the far southeastern Oregon near the Nevada border. It is a vast and remote playa known for its stark, breathtaking landscape, unlike anything else in the state. Its dry, cracked earth stretches for miles, creating a striking contrast against the nearby Steens Mountains. The sheer flatness of this desert has even made it a popular place to stage automotive land speed records in!
Once a lakebed, the area is nearly empty of vegetation except for sparse grasses and sagebrush. It is an idyllic destination for those seeking solitude, cool landscape photography shots, and stargazing in its incredibly clear night skies.
With little human development in all directions, many opt to camp overnight in and around the Alvord Desert, with dispersed camping available at local spots like Frog Spring. The Alvord Hot Springs Bath House & Campground is another option, with a natural geothermal spring located within it and an adjacent soaking pool for your pleasure.
Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park, located smack dab in the center of Oregon, is renowned for its towering stone walls and challenging rock climbing routes. The park’s iconic spires and lofty cliffs, primarily composed of volcanic tuff and basalt, rise sharply from the Crooked River and surrounding high desert.
It attracts climbers from around the world, with routes ranging from beginner to expert. Local hiking trails also offer top-notch views of this landmark, making it a favorite for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts.
This state park is a must-visit if you're in the nearby city of Bend, a recommended destination in its own right, with one of the highest concentrations of craft breweries in the United States.
Spokane
Spokane is by far the largest city in the eastern Pacific Northwest, with a population of around 230,000 and a metro population of about 600,000. Located along the Spokane River, it developed as a major center for trade and industry in the late 19th century, driven by mining, timber, and the railroad.
Today, its historic downtown features preserved buildings, several notable cultural landmarks, and a strong connection to the beautiful landscapes that surround it. Riverside State Park offers hiking, biking, and paddling, while nearby Mount Spokane provides year-round activities, including skiing in winter. Moreover, the Centennial Trail follows the river, connecting to Idaho, is a renowned route among cyclists and long distance hikers.
You don't need to go far for a touch of the area's exemplary nature, however, with Riverfront Park located in the heart of downtown. Created for Expo ’74, it remains a centerpiece with a network of scenic walking trails, the Spokane Falls SkyRide, and the iconic Pavilion, a nice locale for live performances.
Spokane also embraces local culture with institutions like the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and the historic Fox Theater. Gonzaga University further adds to Spokane’s academic and athletic presence, drawing in students and an academic vibe into the city.
Despite its size and remote location, this city remains highly underrated compared to Seattle and Portland, yet it provides a high quality of life with a lower cost of living for residents, and a memorable destination for travelers coming from other parts of the world.
The Idaho Panhandle
The Idaho Panhandle is a heavily forested region in the far northern portion of the state. It extends from the Canadian border south to the Clearwater River, and is dominated by the Selkirk, Cabinet, and Bitterroot Mountains, sections of the Greater Rocky Mountain range. It is also home to dozens of pristine lakes, including Lake Coeur d’Alene, Priest Lake, and Lake Pend Orielle. The region is considered a main gateway to a plethora of outdoor activities, with hiking and skiing opportunities abounding all around.
Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d’Alene is the largest city in northern Idaho and sits a short drive east of Spokane. It rests on the shores of its namesake lake, and makes for an amazing lakeside getaway surrounded by mountainous terrain blanketed in pine forests.
Once a logging and mining community, it has evolved into a major outdoor and tourism destination. The lake is central to life here, offering boat launches, fishing spots, and scenic cruises based out of downtown. Onland, Tubbs Hill provides hiking trails with panoramic viewpoint over the water, while the 72-mile Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes attracts cyclists in search of an extensive ride.
Downtown features shopping areas, restaurants, and accommodations ranging from the historic Roosevelt Inn to more upscale lakeside hotels like The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint is another fantastic lake town to visit in the Idaho Panhandle. Seated on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, the summer crowds flock here for boating, fishing, and swimming, while Schweitzer Mountain Resort is the place to go for skiing and snowboarding in winter months. If 'swimming' caught your eye, but you're just visiting and not sure where to go for this, the Sandpoint City Beach Park is conveniently located near dowtown and is surrounded by clean, sandy beaches the public can enjoy.
Historic landmarks in dowtown Sandpoint that are worth checking out include the historic Panida Theater, a cool spot to catch a flick or a live performance just steps from the water that was built in 1927. On the other side of town is the Bonner County Historical Society & Museum, which houses archives, artifacts, and other exhibits dating back to the area's earliest settlements in the early 1800s.
Wallace
If you're keen on venturing further into the mountains of Idaho, Wallace is a top-tier town to spend some time in. Situated in the Silver Valley, this small community is known for its well-preserved downtown and storied mining heritage.
Once a major producer of silver, the town retains much of its 19th-century character with brick buildings and museums like the Wallace District Mining Museum lining its dowtown streets. Moreover, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour offers you a firsthand look at the region’s mine, once a major economic driver for the region.
Surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains, Wallace provides you easy access to hiking, skiing, and off-road trails, as parklands like the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and the popular Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area sit close by. Wallace is also a huge draw for mountain bikers and hikers, with the Route of the Hiawatha, a 15-mile trail following old railroad lines winding through a series of tunnels in the nearby mountains.
Experience Another Side of the PNW
Break against the norm and stray away from the coastline during your next adventure in the Pacific Northwest. Bring home photos of vast deserts and endless oceans of grass, as opposed to rain soaked forests and coastal mountains, and visit some truly memorable attractions in this eastern half of the region along the way. Whether seeing cities like Spokane or getting lost in its expansive wildlands, there is a surprising amount of stuff to see and do in this corner of the country, you just have to know where to look!
