steptoe butte state park

I will be the first to admit that I have issues with heights, so driving up a fairly large butte that has a road barely big enough for 2-way traffic and with no guardrails was a terrifying experience for me. When I finally made it to the top I was too shaky to get out and enjoy the view. The second time I went, I brought some family with me - and one of them took the wheel.Having said that, the top of Steptoe Butte is absolutely amazing. You get 360-degree views of the Palouse hills - a truly spectacular site.Just a note: Steptoe Butte is now a state park, so "technically" there is a fee to get in.

Steptoe Butte is a 400 million year old peak of a mountain made of quartzite (compressed sandstone) that is halfway buried by younger lava - 15 to 20M years old - and a couple hundred feet of loess (blown in dirt). It dominates the area - no hill near its size close by - and has great views of the Palouse all around. We talked to two locals who were very proud of it and told us it's a favorite spot for hanggliders.