Entry No. 49 — the Coeur d'Alene file — filed under: outdoor-weird

Settlers Grove of Ancient Cedars

A hidden grove of western red cedars up to 7 feet across and over 600 years old, tucked along the West Fork of Eagle Creek deep in the Coeur d'Alene River drainage. It's the only old-growth cedar botanical area in the district and famously slipped past the catastrophic 1910 fire that leveled the surrounding forest. A 2015 burn moved through the area and the grove later reopened; many scorched giants survived and still tower over an easy interpretive loop trail of roughly 3.4 miles. The drive out past the old gold-rush town of Murray is half the adventure.

The move: Pack a picnic, drive the dirt road out past Murray, and take the easy loop hand-in-hand among the ancient cedars, touching the bark of trees older than the country.

📍 Before you go Reached via unpaved forest roads past Murray; check current Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District road and access status before going, as the area has had fire-related closures. Best in summer/early fall; no facilities at the trailhead.

• 📍 Murray
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Eagle Creek / Forest Rd, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, near Murray, ID

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-24