Take this hidden gem road trip to see little-known places in Washington
Posted in Washington
December 28, 2021
We live in a state full of diverse and wild beauty. From our ocean beaches to our vast forests, Washington has something for everyone. And while the natural wonders of western Washington are well documented, some of the attractions in the eastern part of the state go largely unnoticed. But it’s one aspect of the evergreen state that everyone should explore.
This marked route takes you to five of our hidden gems. And while it’s possible to see them all in one day if you get up early and live in the area, we recommend making it a weekend so that you have time to explore them.
In these uncertain times, keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket-to-visit list at a later date.
Dry Falls, Washington 99115, USA
Located in the heart of the Grand Coulee, Dry Falls is one of our most awe-inspiring natural wonders. This 3.5 mile wide basalt sinkhole is all that is left of the last great Ice Age flooding in the area. The views from the Dry Falls Interpretive Center are breathtaking.
A few miles from Dry Falls is the little-known cave of Blue Lake Rhino. This rhino-shaped cave was formed by a Diceratherium bull, an ancestor of the rhino. The Diceratherium was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. When a nearby volcano erupted, its escape route was cut off by a lake and it met a flaming fate. The corpse was covered in lava and was not discovered until the 1940s.
This unique mineral lake is not exactly hidden. That being said, not many people know about its purported healing properties. The minerals in water are very alkaline, killing viruses and bacteria without harming their human hosts. People have been coming here to get drenched for centuries.
Gravity Hill is not easy to find, but worth a try. Located on a stretch of North Crosby Road about 10-15 miles north of Prosser, this quiet road can really scare you. Start at the base of a small slope, put your car in neutral, and you will miraculously start to climb the slope. The only thing is you will be driving straight towards a supposedly haunted grain silo.
Maryhill Museum of Art, 35 Maryhill Museum Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620, USA
An ode to the ancient Neolithic structure itself, Stonehenge’s own memorial in Washington is located a few miles east of the Maryhill Museum of Art. It usually opens for the season in March and stays open until fall.
How many of these gems have you seen in person?
Address: Dry Falls, Washington 99115, USA
Address: Savon Lake, WA 98851, USA
Address: Prosser, WA 99350, USA
Address: Maryhill Museum of Art, 35 Maryhill Museum Dr, Goldendale, WA 98620, USA