Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars

By the early 1900s the forests of northern Idaho were being cut hard for the mines and mills of the Silver Valley and for timber shipped out on the railroads. Loggers went first for the tall, straight, valuable species, and western redcedar was often left standing, seen as too heavy, too soft, or too awkward to be worth the trouble, especially back in hard-to-reach creek bottoms. In pockets like the head of Eagle Creek, the cedars were simply skipped over.

That neglect, along with a bit of luck in dodging the great fires that swept the region, let this grove grow on undisturbed while the forests around it were cut and burned and regrew young. The Forest Service later recognized what had been spared and set the grove aside as a botanical area in 1970, so the trees would keep standing. It is one of the few places in this heavily logged corner of the country where you can walk beneath cedars that were already old when the miners arrived.

A short interpretive loop, Trail 162, winds through the heart of the grove, crossing the West Fork of Eagle Creek on wooden footbridges as it goes. The walk is gentle and shaded, and it is the kind of place that quiets people down. The biggest cedars rise straight up out of a floor of ferns and moss, their trunks fluted and shaggy-barked, and the light comes down soft and green through the high canopy even on a bright day.

Interpretive signs along the way explain the trees, the forest, and how the grove came to be spared. Give yourself an unhurried hour to walk the loop, stop under the largest trees, and listen to the creek. It is a small destination, not a full day, but the drive out and the walk in add up to a genuine escape into deep, old forest, the sort that most of the northern Rockies lost long ago.

The way to the grove runs north from Wallace and the Silver Valley up the Coeur d'Alene River, past Prichard and the tiny, half-forgotten gold camp of Murray, then up gravel Forest Service roads along Eagle Creek to the trailhead. The final miles are unpaved and can be rough or dusty, so a dry day and an unhurried pace serve best, and the road is not kept up once the snow comes.

The route itself is part of the appeal, threading old mining country that boomed and faded long ago, now quiet forest and a scatter of small settlements. There are no services up here, so top off fuel and pack water and a lunch before you leave the valley. Reach the trailhead, walk the loop among the ancient trees, and you will have found one of the quietest and oldest corners of the Idaho Panhandle.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars, in the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle's Silver Valley near the town of Murray, is a beautiful grove of towering old-growth western red cedar trees, some centuries old, that survived the region's great wildfires and logging. A trail winds through the serene, cathedral-like forest of massive ancient cedars along a mountain creek, offering a rare and awe-inspiring walk among these giant, ancient trees in a remote and peaceful setting. Protected as a special natural area, it is a hidden gem of North Idaho. With its towering ancient cedars and forest beauty, the Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars offers a spectacular destination in Idaho.

You can walk the trail through the awe-inspiring grove of towering ancient western red cedar trees, marvel at the massive, centuries-old giants, take in the serene old-growth forest along the mountain creek, and enjoy the peaceful, remote setting. The ancient cedars and the tranquil forest are the highlights, offering a rare chance to walk among such old and enormous trees in a hidden mountain grove. It is a serene, memorable stop. With its ancient cedars, forest trail, and creekside beauty, the Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars offers a rewarding experience in the Idaho Panhandle.

The grove is in a remote mountain area near Murray reached by forest roads, some unpaved and rough, that are best in dry conditions and typically accessible in the warmer months, so come prepared with a suitable vehicle, water, and supplies. The trail through the grove can be uneven and cross the creek, so wear sturdy shoes, and stay on the path to protect the fragile ancient trees and forest. It is bear country, so take precautions. Coming prepared for the remote roads and staying on the trail ensure a rewarding visit to the Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars in Idaho.

Late spring through fall is the best time, when the forest roads to the grove are clear of snow, the weather is mild, and the trail is accessible, with summer the peak season and fall bringing pleasant weather and forest color, while the remote roads are snowbound in winter. Late spring and early summer bring the fullest creek flow. For the best access to the grove and pleasant weather, aim for late spring through fall at the Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars in the Idaho Panhandle.

The Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars is in the Silver Valley of the Idaho Panhandle near Murray, within reach of the historic mining town of Wallace with the Pulaski Tunnel Trail, the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, Lake Coeur d'Alene, and the North Idaho mountains. That makes the Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars a spectacular stop to combine with the Pulaski Tunnel Trail, Wallace, and the other attractions of the Idaho Panhandle on a visit to the state.