Cataldo: Mission History and Trail

When planning a trip to Cataldo, you can weigh two focuses against each other: the history of the Sacred Heart Mission and activities on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. The historic sites and routes raise different questions: Would you like to learn more about mission history, or should a paved trail for exercise take center stage? These themes can help guide your trip planning as you choose a destination.

Mission History and Exhibition

The Mission of the Sacred Heart was built between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. It is Idaho’s oldest surviving building. Its construction dates and builders give the mission a distinct place in the region’s history.

The Sacred Encounters exhibition is housed in a 5,000-square-foot museum at the visitor center of Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park. It includes nine areas featuring exhibits, videos, and music. Two distinct ways of engaging with the site are presented side by side: the historic building and an exhibition that combines objects with audiovisual media.

Parish House, Cemetery, and Grounds

The Parish House was the center of business and social life at Old Mission. Priests also used it as a stopping point on their way to and from assignments in the mining towns of the Silver Valley. Its history thus links the mission’s social life with the priests’ travels to the mining region.

Old Mission’s Main Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 300 people. Those buried there include members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, mission staff, and early settlers. The cemetery therefore draws attention beyond individual buildings to the various groups connected with the site’s history.

The historic site at Coeur d’Alene’s Old Mission State Park covers 18 acres around the historic buildings, visitor center, and cemeteries. Elk and other animals visit several marshes and other bodies of water; however, wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. The park has an ADA-accessible museum and restroom. Check the current condition of these facilities before your visit.

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes

The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is a 73-mile paved route between Mullan and Plummer, intended for hiking, biking, and Nordic activities. In Cataldo, the trail crosses Interstate I-90. The section between Cataldo and Kellogg crosses the Coeur d’Alene River several times.

When planning, it helps to distinguish between the full route and a section of it: the 73 miles refer to the trail between Mullan and Plummer, while the multiple river crossings are on the section between Cataldo and Kellogg. This makes it possible to consider the overall route and a specific section separately.

Pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart Mission

Another way to explore mission history as a travel theme is the recurring organized pilgrimage to the Sacred Heart Mission. It begins at Immaculate Conception Church in Post Falls and is a three-day spiritual and physical journey covering 50 miles through the wilderness of North Idaho. Hundreds of Catholics from across the United States take part with prayer, song, and fellowship. If you are considering this journey, check the dates and registration details in advance.

Explore more destinations: Hayden, Bayview, Coeur D'alene, Post Falls, Worley, Huetter, Rathdrum, Hayden Lake.

For the regional travel overview: Kootenai County.