WA shuts down danger zones at Palouse Falls

WASHTUCNA – The Washington State Parks Commission unanimously approved last month to permanently close public access to parts of Palouse Falls. The decision was the result of increasing dangers to the public and trespassing.

“We’ve experienced an increase of unsafe, non-permitted recreational activities in these areas as well as vandalism, unsafe social trails (trails made by visitors) and illegal trespassing on surrounding areas,” Washington State Parks Interim Communications Director Amanda McCarthy said.

At the Jan. 27 commission meeting, staff presented a recommendation to close access to the rock formation referred to as Castle Rock, the top of the main falls, access to the plunge pool and surrounding canyon walls. No date has been given as to when the formal closures will take place, but McCarthy said it will be soon.

Over the years several people have died or been injured at Palouse Falls. In May 2018, Noble Stoneman, 26, was visiting the upper pool area with his friend when the ground below him gave way and he fell 200 feet to his death. In 2019, new signage was installed warning of the dangers in the park. Then in May 2021, a Walla Walla man and his wife were hiking when a football sized rock hit the man on the head, knocking him unconscious. The victim had to be hoisted out from near the base of the falls.

Aside from adopting the proposed closure area, the commission renamed the park Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site. The long-term plan for the park, also approved by the commission, ends camping at Palouse Falls and could include the construction of a visitor center and expansion of the park boundary.

“The public can still view the falls,” McCarthy said. “Just the dangerous areas are blocked off.”

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Elkhorn Media Group

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