The Scablands are out of this world and one of Washington’s natural wonders

The Scablands don’t exactly sound like an appealing place and they also kind of sound like a rip on South Dakota’s Badlands. However, they are a very real place, located in the Columbia Plateau in eastern Washington. They also happen to be home to what was once the world’s largest waterfall and you can visit it.

First off, what are the scablands? According to NASA they were formed 10,000-20,000 years ago during the last ice age thanks to massive flooding. The scablands vastly differentiating features of towering cliffs, deep holes and scattered boulders often have visitors feeling like they’ve entered an alien world.

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It’s a beautiful place to check out whether you’re hiking, fishing or simply going for a drive. If you’re planning on checking them out, you should also head to the Dry Falls Cataract. Why? It was once a massive waterfall, some believing it to be one of the largest waterfalls in the world at that time. When it was flowing, it is estimated to have been four times the size of Niagara Falls according to the National Park Service.

Keep in mind you can no longer see the massive waterfall, hence the name Dry Falls. But you can see the stunning scablands that are left behind today. The rocky outcroppings and cliffs now have plants growing on them while below there are groundwater-fed lakes full of wildlife. But if you do want to see a waterfall while in the area, Palouse Falls is also part of the Scablands. So get out there and learn something new and see just how much changes with time.

Dry Falls State Park

Where: 34875 Park Lake Road N.E., Coulee City, WA
Hours: Summer: 6:30 AM-Dusk, Winter: 8 AM-Dusk
Cost: $11.50-$35

Information on the Scablands and Dry Falls are from NASA and the National Park Service and are accurate as of publication date.