Overview
Clarkston is a city of 7,200 people (2020) in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. It sits across the Snake River to the west of Lewiston, Idaho.
This article also includes the neighboring city of Asotin, as well as rural Asotin County.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Clarkston
Asotin County Museum
Exhibits about the county's history, including examples of various kinds of buildings, such as a schoolhouse and Nez Perce tepee.
Field Springs State Park
A remote 792-acre camping park. The 4,500-foot heights of Puffer Butte give you a view of three states and the Grande Ronde River.
Chief Timothy Park
At the location of a Nez Perce settlement. Includes the Alpowai Interpretive Center.
Beamers Hells Canyon Tours
Family-owned since 1974. Offers full-day (~200-mile round trip) and half-day tours, plus special options like wine tasting or dinner cruises.
Snake Dancer Excursions
Highly rated for personalized tours (smaller boats), full- and half-day scenic trips to Hells Canyon Dam, and fishing charters. Known for homemade lunches and knowledgeable captains.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 26°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Spokane)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LWS Lewiston Nez Perce County Airport, Lewiston — 3 mi away. Directions
- PUW Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman — 23 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 86 mi away (major hub). Directions
US Highway 12 (US-12) connects Clarkston to Walla Walla and Lewiston, Idaho.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Asotin County Museum, Chief Timothy Park, Field Springs State Park
- Afternoon Beamers Hells Canyon Tours, Snake Dancer Excursions
- Evening Hogan's
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Clarkston and Lewiston were named after William Clark and Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition fame.
Agriculture is a major industry in the area and the port handles a lot of barge traffic carrying grains. Wood chips and sawdust are transported via barges for use at a Lewiston manufacturing plant. Due to its inland location on the Snake River, the port handles goods headed out to Portland-Vancouver, and inland to distributors upstream.
Get in
US Highway 12 (US-12) connects Clarkston to Walla Walla and Lewiston, Idaho.
See
Do
- The main attraction in the Clarkston area is jet boating on the Snake River into Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Several operators offer half-day and full-day excursions with narration on history, geology, and wildlife (bighorn sheep, eagles, etc.). Tours typically include lunch stops and go through parts of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Book ahead, especially in summer.
Drink
Drink Hogan's
Friendly atmosphere, great service, if you're lucky you might catch a live band for a $5 cover charge.
Sleep
The port's marina has accommodations for personal boats and yachts, many of which travel through the nearby Hells Canyon.
Nearby
Lewiston
City / town · 12 listings · 1 mi away
Moscow
City / town · 36 listings · 22 mi away
Pullman
City / town · 33 listings · 23 mi away
Pomeroy
City / town · 2 listings · 26 mi away
Colfax
City / town · 4 listings · 36 mi away
Orofino
City / town · 7 listings · 38 mi away
Cottonwood
City / town · 5 listings · 42 mi away
Dayton
City / town · 5 listings · 45 mi away
My experience
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