Steptoe Butte State Park Heritage Site — Attraction in Colfax

A heavenly place to visit with beautiful views and a serene experience. Very friendly for seniors and differently abled folks because one does not need to hike this trail, because paved road gives access to the hilltop by car. The park does require discover pass and does have some picnic areas bear the entrance. As you venture in the road climbs up the butte starting to give some beautiful views of the fields and meadows around. As it climbs, the horizon expands and you can feel the magnanimity of the universe and power of nature as it starts to take you over. Many folks park the car halfway up where there is some roadside spot to park and take some pictures, if you have time to do so go for it, or else continue climbing up until you reach the summit which has a giant radio tower. The views from the summit are really 360 degree views and really breath taking. Especially if you visit during sunset when the sun is setting as the moon is rising, the charm of the vista is so powerful and enchanting that you may not realize how time passes by. As the sun sets and the shadows grow longer you can see the buttes Shadow growing longer until it disappears as the moon takes over. The place would be great to do star gazing but alas the park closes after sunset. A must...

Honestly until I saw the Palouse I thought it wouldn't be worth the drive. I was so wrong! The view was gasp-worthy. Not just from the butte from from anywhere in the region. But, it's definitely worth driving to the top of the butte.

Speaking of the drive, at the park entrance I drove past a sign that read, "Roads not maintained in winter". I laughed and said, "Roads not maintained AT ALL!" I don't blame the park system - not enough funding! - but anyway, do prepare yourself for pothole-dodging as you make your way up the steptoe. And if you are afraid of heights, do not sit on the passenger side of your vehicle - ohmygosh! Very few guardrails to make you feel safe from the abyss.

As someone else said, there's a toilet and picnic area at the base, and a toilet and a long bench for seating at the top. It's annoying that there's ugly cell/microwave equipment at the top, but hey, cell phone reception is great!

TIPS: If it's windy (which is very likely! it was windy all 4 times we went up), listen for the musical tones that emanate from the holes in the bollards that border the top parking lot. The bollards have no cables in them, and it's sort of like the "pop bottle experience" of blowing (the wind) through the hole to make a...

It is on top of a small mountain in the middle of nowhere. It is well known for the panoramic views of the rolling wheat fields surrounding the mountain. There were several people with long lens cameras and tripods taking pictures as the sun went down. We stayed overnight at Wheat Field Best Western, which is probably about 5 miles away. We should have gone there in the morning before going to the State Park because the friendly staff had a lot of suggestions about photogenic places around the State Park. We had to leave the next morning to drive back to Seattle so we could not visit the places they suggested. We hope to visit again in the future. There is a huge cellular tower on top of the hill, so you will have no problem getting a cell connection. However, the bathrooms are another story. There is a bathroom before you enter the park, which is open. There is another one at the top, which is locked and no one around with the key. If you need to go in a hurry, you have a long, winding drive back, or just go behind the bushes. A permit to visit the state parks is required, but there is no one checking it. The road going up the mountain is full of potholes, but I have been on...