An isolated mountain with many names given to it, including Kamiak Mountain, Kamiak Butte, Kamiakin Butte and Kamiakin Mountain. The mountain is named for Kamiakin who was war chief of the Yakama people in the 1850s. The forest on the butte reflects the climate of western Washington rather that its inland location.

Today, Kamiak Butte is recognized as a National Natural Landmark and Whitman County Park has more than five miles of forested hiking trails and offers visitors a panoramic view of the Palouse region. The town of Kamiak was a post office southwest of Palouse on Four Mile Creek. The post office began as Bethany June 15, 1881, became Pitt on April 24, 1884, and Kamiak on December 2, 1885, operating until April 27, 1887.