Pullman / Whitman County Washington Tourism

Home of Washington State University and the National Lentil Festival, Pullman is a wonderful community in which to spend time. Pullman lies in the heart of an area known as The Palouse, made famous by its gently rolling hills of some of the most fertile soil in the country.

A trip to Pullman and the University campus is not complete until you have stopped at Ferdinand’s Dairy Bar. Here you will taste world famous Cougar Gold Cheese and other specialty cheeses and ice cream. You will also find a variety of accommodations, great shops and fine restaurants in this friendly community. Interwoven within Pullman are 13 parks with more than 95 acres of land.

Pullman is the largest community in Whitman County and serves as the hub for The Palouse Scenic Byway. This network of roads will take you past historic barns, through charming small towns and beautiful Palouse Hills. Start by heading north from Pullman on Highway 27 to Palouse. On your way, stop at Kamiak Butte for a short walk up the wildflower lined trails to beautiful views of Moscow and Pullman. This is a favorite spot for photographers.

In Palouse you will find a city that is always evolving. This is the town that held a Mohawk-athon to raise money to buy playground equipment. Be sure to stop by the Green Frog Café for lunch before hitting the Tea & Chocolate room in the Bank Left Gallery across the street.

Continue north to Garfield and then Oakesdale, both offering lovely boutique shops and great restaurants. Wave at everyone you see or they will know you are an outsider. From Oakesdale continue to Rosalia to see the Col. Steptoe monument and the historic Milwaukee Bridge that is still part of the John Wayne Trail that continues all the way into Montana. On your way south from Rosalia on U.S. 195, take the short detour to the top of Steptoe Butte. You can drive all the way to the top of this treeless butte for a full 360 degree view of the Palouse. Well worth the extra time.

On your way back to Pullman you will come through Colfax. Get one of the best milkshakes in the area at the Top Notch Café and stop to take a picture with the Codger Pole, the world’s largest chainsaw sculpture. Continue back to Pullman for a good night’s rest or keep traveling south to Colton and Uniontown, home of the Dahmen Barn and its fence made from more than 1,000 wagon wheels.

Whitman County Manning Rye Bridge