Eastern Washington may be known for tumbleweeds and farmland, but there’s much more hidden between its rolling hills and quiet highways.
This region is full of interesting small towns, strange rock formations, and places where you can dig for fossils, spot ghost towns, or watch pelicans cruise across a lake.
It’s a road trip made for lovers of the weird, wonderful, and totally unexpected.
If you’re into off-the-grid adventures and unusual surprises, this is your kind of journey.
Let’s hit the road!
1. Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Step back in time at Ginkgo Petrified Forest near the town of Vantage, with ancient tree fossils that are over 15 million years old.
You can see real petrified logs along the trails and find a museum full of crazy-cool exhibits, like fossilized leaves and a massive chunk of ginkgo wood.
The park also sits above the Columbia River, so you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the water and basalt cliffs while checking out ancient trees.
2. Twin Sisters Rock
Just down the road near Wallula Junction, Twin Sisters Rock pops up out of nowhere like two giant stone towers keeping watch over the Columbia River.
Tied to a Native American legend of two sisters turned to stone, these towering basalt columns make for epic photos and a serious dose of local lore.
It’s just a quick roadside stop with a dirt pull-off, but it’s very historic and offers sweeping desert views.
3. Starbuck
Keep cruising northeast and you’ll hit Starbuck—not the coffee place, but a teeny-tiny town with old-school beauty and a population of just over 100 people.
This quiet spot features a super photogenic railroad bridge over the Snake River Canyon, and its historic grain elevators make the town feel frozen in time.
It’s the kind of place where you can park, wander for a few minutes, and soak up the small-town atmosphere without a single tourist in sight.
4. Pomeroy
Then it’s on to Pomeroy, a laid-back farming town where wheat fields roll on forever and the courthouse looks straight out of a Western movie.
Downtown has a few cute shops, a vintage movie theater, and some murals which are great for fun photo ops and a taste of local history.
Grab some snacks, stretch your legs, and enjoy the kind of quiet you only find in places that haven’t changed much in decades.
5. Dahmen Barn in Uniontown
Next up is Uniontown, where you’ll find the super underrated Dahmen Barn art center.
This bright white barn is now a buzzing creative space filled with local art, handmade gifts, and open studios where you can watch artists at work.
And don’t miss the cool fence out front made entirely of old wheels and gears—it’s unique and very Instagram-worthy.
6. LaCrosse Rock Houses
Head west and you’ll find LaCrosse, where incredible rock houses built from local basalt in the early 1900s still stand strong.
These buildings, including three houses, three cabins, and a service station, were built by local businessman Clint Dobson.
With their sturdy build and rough design, these houses tell a clear story of the gritty, DIY spirit of people during the Great Depression.
You can stroll through the tiny historic district, explore a few restored buildings, and look out for farm tools scattered between them.
7. Sprague Lake
Keep rolling north and you’ll find Sprague Lake, a dreamy place for birdwatching, fishing, or anyone who wants to chill by the water.
Famous for big catches like rainbow trout and largemouth bass, this peaceful spot will make you want to stay all afternoon.
There’s a public dock, a couple of campgrounds, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch pelicans gliding low across the lake like they own the place.
8. Metaline Falls
Way up near the Canadian border, Metaline Falls almost looks like a movie set dropped into the mountains (it was even used as a filming location in “The Postman.”)
The town’s old-school charm shines through its historic buildings, cute cafés, and the stunning Pend Oreille River flowing right past it.
If you’ve got time, swing by Box Canyon Dam for the wild views, or take a short hike on the nearby Sweet Creek Falls Trail.
9. Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site
Loop back down to Republic and hit the Stonerose Interpretive Center, where you can actually dig for real fossils and keep your finds.
It is set on an ancient lakebed that dates back to the Eocene epoch, so everything you uncover is roughly 50 million years old—mind-blowing, right?
It’s hands-on, super kid-friendly, and a bit addictive.
Once you start splitting shale and finding fossilized leaves or fish, it’s hard to stop.
10. Molson Ghost Town
Just when you think this road trip has shown you everything, Molson appears—a legit ghost town frozen in time up near the Canadian border.
There’s a whole outdoor museum filled with weathered wooden buildings, rusty farm gear, and an old schoolhouse that still has desks and chalkboards inside.
You can walk through it all for free, and it feels like a Wild West scene with no crowds and a ton of old abandoned buildings.
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