On this scenic byway you can journey through history while following in the footsteps of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. From the dry canyons of the Snake River, to the flowing waters of the Columbia, to the crashing waves of the Pacific, retrace the expedition’s adventures while having one of your own. Perhaps you’ll see wildlife and scenery you’ve never witnessed before, just like Lewis and Clark did.

Length	572 miles
States	1 – Washington
Astronomy Sites	6

Directly On Route

Goldendale Sky Village 

This is a private company established in the summer of 2018 by a group of amateur astronomers from Washington and Oregon. Their main purpose is to own, operate, and preserve a dark sky site from where our members and their guests can visually observe and image the universe. Note: it is members only.

Goldendale Observatory

Goldendale Observatory State Park is an educational facility on the northern side of Goldendale, Washington, notable for its unusually large public telescope. The state park occupies five acres atop a 2,100-foot hill. The site has public events and is in a great spot to view the night sky.

Cape Disappointment State Park

A 2,023-acre camping park on the Long Beach Peninsula, fronted by the Pacific Ocean and looking into the mouth of the Columbia River, Cape Disappointment State Park is a great place to view the Pacific Ocean and the Milky Way.

Right Off The Route

Jewett Observatory

Located 42 miles away from Lewiston, Washington, the James Richard Jewett Observatory boasts the second-largest refracting telescope in the state of Washington; a grand 12-inch Alvin Clark & Sons, with the original lens polished in 1887-1889 by the same optician that fabricated the world’s largest lens at Yerkes Observatory. The observatory is not used for research purposes; it is primarily used for undergraduate student labs and training, and houses twelve portable telescopes for this purpose. Additionally, the telescope is open for use to any students who have been instructed in its use, as well as to the public on monthly star party nights.

Palouse Falls, Washington

27 miles from Jackson, WA, Palouse Falls was named Washington’s state waterfall in 2014, when the state Legislature passed a bill written by local schoolchildren, who advocated for the designation. The park is 94-acres and is an ideal picnic and birding spot. The park offers three distinct views of the falls, and is a remote recreational experience. Due to its remote recreational experience, the falls makes an amazing night sky and Milky Way viewing opportunity!

Cottonwood Canyon, Oregon

33 miles from Maryvalle, WA Cottonwood Canyon requires paying the toll for the Bridge Of The Gods. This site is the 2nd largest Oregon State Park by area and is a wonderful location for stargazing. Due to its remote location and large area, the skies are dark with the skies being first brought to the attention of the Rose City Astronomers by CosmosPNW. The site is now being used for star parties and is currently applying for IDA Dark Sky Park status. It should receive this destination shortly!

Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams Areas

Located an hour to the North from Carson, WA and White Salmon, WA, these 2 wilderness areas provide a breadth of opportunities to explore nature and view the Milky Way. These areas have a plethora of outdoor places to explore during the day and beautiful night sky opportunities at night.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to view our other unique astronomy roadtrips such as this one for more places to view astronomy when on a roadtrip.