Places in Washington: Steptoe Butte State Park
Basic Information
- Name: Steptoe Butte State Park
- Where: Tumwater, WA
- Founded: 1965
- Hours: 6AM to Dusk
- Cost: Requires a Discover Pass
- More Information: WA State Park website
Directions
Steptoe Butte State Park is located between Spokane and Pullman, just off of State Highway 195. From either Spokane or Pullman exit 195 at the small village of Steptoe and follow the signs to the State Park.
Parking
Near the Steptoe Butte State Park entrance there is a small parking lot in a wooded area with picnic tables. I estimate there is room for about 10-15 vehicles in the lower lot.
On top of the mountain there is an even larger parking lot to accommodate the many people who drive to its top to take in the expansive views.
Narrative
The Pullman, Washington area is surrounded by rolling hills known as Palouse. These hills are believed to have received their name from French fur trappers who used the French word “pelouse” which means “land with short and thick grass” to describe the area.
The Palouse hills were formed between 15,000-17000 years from sediment left over from the Great Ice Age Floods. This leftover sediment formed the Palouse much like wind blown sand creates sand dunes. Unlike sand dunes, the fertile sediment of the Palouse region makes it great for agriculture. Small farming communities can be found all around the Palouse region growing primarily wheat. The best place to get a view of the rolling hills of the Palouse region is at Steptoe Butte State Park. Steptoe Butte is a 3,612 foot mountain that rise over the Palouse region:
The mountain is part of the Washington State Park system and thus requires a Discover Pass to visit. A Discover Pass costs $10 for one day and $30 for an annual pass. The money from the Discover Passes are put to good use because the Washington State Parks I have found to be very well cared for and Steptoe Butte is no different.
For those that want to take in the views of the Palouse region without a strenuous hike, Steptoe Butte has a paved road that provides easy access to the summit:
About halfway up the road there is a pullout area near a microwave tower that offers the first good views of the Palouse region:
From the pullout it was a short drive further up the road to the icy summit of Steptoe Butte:
The summit of Steptoe Butte is capped with more microwave as well as cellphone towers. Considering how prominent this mountain is over the surrounding area, it is a perfect place to put them:
Also on the summit is a machine where visitors need to buy a ticket to park in the large lot:
After paying for my ticket I then walked over to the area on the summit with various information signs:
The first marker explains how Steptoe Butte became a National Natural Landmark in 1965:
One of the other markers explains how Steptoe Butte is some of the oldest rock in all of Washington that has preserved through various volcanic eruptions in the area and the Great Ice Age Floods:
Other markers on the summit explain various points of interests in the distance and the history of the mountain. Here is a brief history of Steptoe Butte from the Washington State Park website:
Native Americans called the butte “the power mountain.” It was believed that a journey to the butte bestowed a gift of power from the mountain’s guardian spirit. During western settlement, the butte was called “Pyramid Peak.” The butte figured significantly in the last U.S. Army/Indian conflict
in eastern Washington as a reconnaissance point. The butte’s present name honors Colonel Edward Steptoe, who led the U.S. Army in that last conflict.Steptoe Butte once held a hotel and an observation point built by James S. “Cashup” Davis. The Cashup Hotel closed after Davis’ death in 1896 and burned down in 1911. Conservationist, pharmacist, economist and historian, Virgil Talmadge McCroskey (1876-1970), later purchased a large portion of the butte and donated it to the state. A plaque honoring McCroskey remains at Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site.
The guests at the old Cashup Hotel before it burned down would have had some incredible views in all directions. For example here is the view looking east towards the mountains of Idaho with the road into the state park visible below:
Here is a panorama picture of the view looking towards Idaho:
It was cold and very windy with everything covered in ice the day I visited. Here is a picture of a pine tree covered in ice near the summit:
Here is a panorama picture of the view looking towards the north:
Here is a view looking towards the west where the rolling hills of the Palouse look very much like a sea of sand dunes stretching out into the distance:
I spent about 30 minutes on the summit walking around and taking pictures before leaving. I would have stayed there much longer taking in the views if it wasn’t for the cold and wind. After I finished taking pictures I began the short drive back down the mountain:
Conclusion
Steptoe Butte is a location that I will revisit again in the summer once it warms up. The views of the Palouse hills when they have a green color should really be stunning. I also plan next time I am here to either hike or run up the road. It should make for a good work out with the reward of big views at the end.
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About The Author
Dobbs
I am a avid hiker with a love for travel and the outdoors. I currently call the Evergreen State of Washington my home.
