Steptoe Butte, Quartzite butte in Whitman County, Washington, United States.

Steptoe Butte is a quartzite island rising about 1,000 feet above the silty loess of the Palouse hills in Whitman County, Washington. The butte and nearby Kamiak Butte form the Steptoe and Kamiak Buttes National Natural Landmark, designated in 1965. A narrow paved road winds around the butte to a parking area at the 3,612-foot summit.

The rock forming this butte dates back around 400 million years, making it significantly older than the surrounding Columbia River Basalts. This geological contrast tells the story of how different rock layers came together in this region over vast spans of time.

The butte bears the name of Colonel Edward Steptoe, who led military operations in the region during the mid-1800s. Visitors today walk on land that holds this historical connection woven into its identity.

A narrow paved road winds around the butte to a parking area at the summit, so the climb is done by car. The park has picnic facilities and an interpretive wayside exhibit. Paragliding, hang gliding, kite and model airplane flying, and photography are common here. Mount Spokane, 70 miles north, is visible from the top.

The butte gave geology a term: isolated bedrock outcrops rising through lava flows are called "steptoes", after this one. Its quartzite is over 400 million years old, while the Columbia River Basalts beneath the rest of the Palouse are 15 to 7 million years old. From the top, Mount Spokane is visible 70 miles north.