2020 Map of Rock Lake

About this map

Rock Lake dominates this portion of the Palouse, its elongated waters following a basalt-carved coulee. The settlement of Lavista and the shoreline at Johnsons Beach anchor the human presence in a landscape shaped by glacial flooding. Transportation through this remote terrain follows the water, most notably via the Palouse To Cascades State Park Trail, which traces a historic railroad grade along the eastern edge of the lake and through Slaughter Pen Bay. Small ponds and seasonal waters like Alkali Lake, Tule Lake, and Slaughter Pen Pond dot the surrounding plateaus, while drainage is managed by systems like Kamiache Cr and Rock Creek. These features illustrate the transition from early homesteading and rail-based commerce to contemporary recreational use. The map also records numerous local roads, such as Miller Rd and Glorfield Rd, which serve the agricultural sections of Whitman County.