Franklin County: Rivers, History and Open Landscapes

Franklin County is shaped by river landscapes, open steppe and a layered history. The Columbia River borders the county to the west, south and east. Where the Columbia, Snake and Palouse Rivers meet, diverse landscapes converge with stories ranging from Ice Age floods to aviation.

Rivers, Waterfalls and Wide-Open Landscapes

The 267-acre Sacajawea Historical State Park sits at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers and is intended for day visits. Outdoor offerings include self-guided interpretations and depictions of Native American dwellings. The Sacajawea Interpretive Center tells the story of Sacagawea, the Indigenous interpreter and guide, and the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. It offers views of the confluence and also covers the history of the Lewis & Clark Trail and Native American artifacts.

At the confluence of the Snake and Palouse Rivers, Lyons Ferry State Park features a Palouse landscape shaped by Ice Age floods. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking and swimming. Kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent on weekends on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to rent equipment, check the dates before your visit.

The 94-acre Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site is a day-use park with views of Washington’s official state waterfall. The Palouse River runs through a narrow canyon and plunges 200 feet at Palouse Falls into a churning pool. The landscape was formed more than 13,000 years ago. This makes the site a place where a specific geological history meets the sight of a striking waterfall.

The Hanford Reach National Monument protects more than 196,000 acres of shrub-steppe habitat and the White Bluffs escarpment. Hanford Reach is home to American white pelicans, great egrets and great blue herons, as well as mule deer, elk, porcupines, coyotes and bald eagles. The Columbia River flows freely there for 51 miles; this stretch is an important year-round fishing area. Cycling is allowed on roads open to vehicle traffic, as well as on Ringold Road between its locked gates.

Museums, Regional History and Art

The Franklin County Historical Museum is housed in a building that opened as a Carnegie library in 1911. Its permanent exhibits cover paleontology, wildlife and landscapes, Native American history, and pioneer life. They also show the development of the railroad, river and aviation industries. The “Marmes Man” exhibit explores remains that are about 11,500 years old, were found in eastern Franklin County and rank among the oldest evidence of human habitation in the Western Hemisphere.

Other exhibits have their own focus: the “Snake River-Palouse Indian Exhibit” presents objects and cultural values connected with ceremonial traditions, tribal mythology and ecological knowledge. The “Clement-Hooks Gallery of Rural Art” features works inspired by the landscapes of Franklin County and the Columbia Plateau.

The North Franklin Heritage Museum is housed in a restored 1904 Gothic Revival church. The grounds include the Adams Homestead, a fully restored local farmhouse dating to around 1910, a 1973 Burlington Northern caboose and the Pepiot Ranch House. The museum is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; visits at other times are available by appointment. Check opening hours before your visit.

Aviation history offers several other specific points of interest. The Pasco Aviation Museum is housed in a former control tower that was once part of Naval Air Station Sand Point in Seattle during World War II. Flight experiences take visitors over the same areas where naval cadets trained at NAS Pasco in the 1940s; reservations are required. The museum also offers flights in a restored 1943 Stearman biplane. Availability and conditions may change. Another historical connection dates back to April 6, 1926: a small biplane carrying 200 pounds of U.S. mail took off from Pasco; the flight is associated with the first airline airmail service in the United States. Big Pasco was a major logistics and transshipment center during World War II and supplied, among others, the Hanford Engineer Works.

Pasco and Choosing a Vacation Focus

Parks and public spaces in Pasco showcase other sides of the region. Chiawana Park covers 127 acres along the river, of which 25 acres are developed. Heritage Park covers five acres and has a walking path. Wade Park has a public boat launch; Cable Bridge Park features a historic monument to Pasco’s old bridge, locally known as the Green Bridge. The CPCCo Planetarium has a 36-foot panoramic dome.

The Pasco Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from May through October, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at Peanuts Park, 426 W Lewis. Check the exact market dates before you travel. Pasco is also a transportation hub, with connections by road, air, waterways and rail.

When choosing a vacation rental, start by considering the experiences that matter most to you: river landscapes and outdoor activities, wildlife viewing, or museums and regional history. This can help you choose a focus for your vacation without combining different places and themes into a single outing. When planning together with children, the region’s variety offers plenty to talk about—from waterfalls and wildlife to art, aviation and early settlement.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Pasco, Connell, West Pasco, Cowlitz, Chelan County, Lewis, Clark and Douglas County.

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