The Palouse is heaven on earth for Idaho photographers. Considered an Idaho “wonder,” the landscape is picture-worthy every single day of the year, at pretty much any time of day. During the spring months, the hills are a lush and beautiful green. During summer and fall, they are a glowing golden color. Not only is the Palouse absolutely beautiful, it is also agriculturally rich and leads the world in production of soft white winter wheat. The Palouse is an absolute must-see for Idahoans, but the coolest thing about these rolling hills is how they were formed.

The Palouse goes on for 4,000 square miles, starting north of Lewiston and making their way down to Coeur d'Alene. Looking at the hills, you will see that there are no long valleys and the hills don't connect to form ridges. Therefore scientists have hypothesized that these hills were not formed in the typical way via water in the form of streams or rivers.
Chris Devaraj/Flickr
The hills are actually made up of a sediment called loess, which is comprised of wind blown sediment. The hills themselves actually look like sand dunes, because they were formed in pretty much the same way.
Chris Devaraj/Flickr
But where did all this loess come from? Geologists believe that the sediment was blown in from the Pasco Basin, part of the Columbia Basin in eastern Washington, by dust storms. The sediment settled when it stuck to the wet grassland area of the Palouse.
Tim Hagen/Flickr

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It's believed that these hills took tens of thousands of years to form! Can you believe a wonder like this exists in Idaho?
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
The Palouse is the leading producer of wheat. Mellow winters, moist springs, and dry summers are the ideal conditions for the crop. The region produces more wheat per acre than any other region of its size in the entire world.
Jimmy Emerson DVM/Flickr
There's really no bad time to see the Palouse with your own eyes. It's simply stunning all year round!
Robert Ashworth/Flickr
The Palouse isn't just one of the most scenic landscapes in Idaho, but in all of the country! In Idaho, beauty really is around every corner.
BionicBotanist/Flickr

What do you think? Is there any spot in Idaho more beautiful than the Palouse? Let us know.

For even more incredible natural beauty in Idaho, check out these 7 natural wonders of the Gem State.

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