Old Mission State Park

TJ Herndon

2023-05

I highly recommend stopping here if you have an hour or two. There is an awesome, modern visitors center with a multi thousand square foot exhibit on the history of the site. Then you can go check out the inside of the old mission building and several other historic buildings. There is a lot of room to walk around and potentially have a picnic. Overall, it is a very calm place with a lot of history and nature to enjoy.Restrooms: There are restrooms located I side the visitors center.Picnic area: There were several picnic tables located behind the mission building.

Ness A

2024-04

My kids and I really enjoyed stopping here for a history lesson, beautiful views, and a breath of fresh air. You get in free if you have the Idaho parks pass or it's $7 without.Restrooms: YesPicnic area: Yes

missmary

2023-10

This is a wonderful place to stop and have a quiet picnic. Good signage about the mission and the other buildings that were there. There's also a nice hiking trail. Down below the Visitor Center are small upright BBQs, you have to walk to them but it is paved for handicap access. It is not dog-friendly per se, but if you keep your dog on it's leash and clean up after it you'll be able to have your companion with you. The Mission is quite small and still has the feeling of a church. The grounds are relaxing with lots of large trees keeping it cool in the Summer. It provided me a place just to recharge from being on the hwy with Holiday Longweekend drivers. The Visitor Center has very nice gifts and postcards for a very reasonable amount.

MarkLouise Wildoner

2023-06

This park is beautiful and had such a rich history! Set on an expansive, brilliant green hilltop, it's a great little history spot. The museum has so many rooms and shows things in written, picture, and video format. The parking and entrance fee is well worth it! Go see this gem!

JamiSue Sharp

2023-05

Historical church and grounds. Beautiful location and well maintained. They have a few trails to go on to see some cemeteries. A very nice museum that offers lots of info and images. You can see the inside of the Cataldo mission church and another house next to it.The staff is very helpful and friendly. They have field trips for students to come and explore. Outside picnic tables for those wanting to sit and eat there. Restrooms inside the museum and an outside rest room as well. It costs to park and visit.

James M

2023-05

Very beautiful state park. Entry fees are a reasonable $7, and there is a nice museum onsite as well for an additional fee. The Mission Church and house are from 1853 and they've been restored very well. You can go inside the two buildings. There are also a few small trails on walk onsite with information signs, including one down to the wetlands area of the river and another to an old cemetery. There are picnic tables as well. We'll definitely be back to this park!

Zackary

2023-10

Outstanding history lesson! We arrived at open and the attendant was so welcoming. We watched their informational video and then took a walk up to the mission and parish. Absolutely beautiful! Stunning piece of history. Even our 6yr old could appreciate it. Thank you for keeping this place open and preserved.

Joshua Peters

2023-09

The trip was amazing, all the history the art, the stories. I can see why the people liked it so much its so peaceful it's like seeing grace. There is a lot of history out there the staff are great. Makes you think about the old ways.

Lauri Hart

2023-08

Lovely historic mission established by Belgian Jesuits from St. Louis. Church had been partially rebuilt & restored. Great place for a picnic. Only a moderate level of historic whitewashing regarding the Church/Native American relations. Eventually the military showed up - kicked the Native people's off their land. Usual story.

William Vlach

2023-10

A special place in the history of the U.S., Idaho, and specifically the Coeur D'Alene people. The story told in the theater at the visitor's center is worth learning and the church itself is still inspiring!

Robert Hawkins

2022-05

This is a must see if you are driving thru Idaho on I-90. What a neat old mission and the place is so very well kept up. Fascinating history about this place that will leave you in awe. My family lived nearby in Kellogg when I was a kid and I remember visiting the mission on a school field trip and another time with the family and it looks just as I remember it all those years ago, right around 40 years ago. It's well worth the stop and especially to hear the story of its beginning in the 1800s. Its fascinating to hear its history and let your mind imagine what life would have been like for this family and the ones that followed. 5 stars🌟 and 2 thumbs up👍

Anita Hewitt

2022-05

Really enjoyed stopping here for some great history! The oldest building in Idaho. Have been driving by for many years without stopping. Finally decided to stop and very glad I did. Cost is $7 a carload which includes everything but the museum inside the Visitor Center. They recommend you stop in the Visitor Center first where you can watch a short 20 minute film on the history and details of the buildings which is really helpful once you walk through the mission and the parish house. The visitor center also has the gift shop. The grounds are beautiful which include the Mission bell and beautiful views. There are short trails to a nearby small cemetery and also go down to the river. You can go inside the parish house and the mission. Very worthwhile stop. There are park restrooms in a separate building up by the mission right now due to Covid regulations.

Glenda Newman

2021-05

Beautiful inside the Mission. I recommend watching the 18 minute video inside the visitor center to understand the history and story behind the Mission. Friendly staff and very clean and organized. It’s worth the $5.00 to drive in and view the oldest building in Idaho. We stayed there for an hour and that included watching the video.

Nobody Special

2023-05

We enjoyed our visit to the Old Mission of the Sacred Heart. Idaho's old building, a Catholic Church. The Visitor Center is filled with historical information about the Mission and the Coeur D'Alene Indians.

Jewel Navarrette

2024-04

Was a great place! So much beautiful history and art! I definitely recommend stopping by for a little bit if you can. Worth the stop!

Justin Welsch

2021-05

So a church made from no nails but instead only wooden dowels? Yea.. craftsmanship at its finest. Idaho claims the oldest church in the state and we would have never guessed it! Very interesting history and nice outlooks!

Karen Brutzman

2022-05

A delightful museum/ historical buildings just off the interstate. We paid $7 to park and $5 each for the permanent exhibit (Sacred Encounters). You can take a self guided tour of the grounds and buildings including the 18 minute video without paying the extra $5 per person. (The exhibit is well done, but I think children would find it boring.) No food or drink is allowed in the Visitor Center, but there are several picnic tables near the Old Mission buildings. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed the views. There are clean restrooms with running water inside the Visitor Center.

Ima Honestee

2020-05

Really cool place to visit! So much history in this area. I took my kids here to learn more about Idaho's history and to learn about the different cultures and ethnicities that influenced our state. Very friendly staff too!

RM Lee

2023-08

Nice to see. The church needs a bit of work yet. The rectory is well done. Nice signage to help you explore the grounds.

Mike Dodd

2023-09

A great story about this church and how it was built. Glad it was preserved

Clayton Trehal

2021-05

If you've never been here, go. Less than 30 min. From CDA, and here's the story: A cathedral built in the wilderness using the materials at hand. An interesting story about an interesting chapter in history. Sad and cool at the same time.

Mary Panzer

2023-08

Thankfully they have restored this place. Amazing architecture with no nails! I love the huckleberry juice painted on the ceiling to look like the sky.The visitor center is absolutely lovely. Please go to the center before you go to the church. They explain everything so well.

The Great Merpelicious

2023-12

We just had our wedding ceremony at Cataldo on Oct 23, and everything turning out wonderful! Rikki and her crew were so helpful with helping us to set up and arrange everything for the day. Especially with planning everything 6 hours away! And they were so accommodating with all the last minute things that come with weddings. We love cataldo so much and thank you for allowing us to have our special day with you guys.

Bryan McKinnon

2023-05

Beautiful place. Unique piece of history, which I've passed about 100 times and never stopped to admire. Glad I took the time.

Team Pitcher

2023-05

Worth the stop to see and learn some history of the area. It would be a great place to bring a picnic. $7 entry.

Karen D

2024-01

Amazing piece of history! Unbelievably beautiful old building in Northern Idaho! This is a must see for everybody! Just extraordinary!!

Sean Anderson

2022-05

This place was really beautiful! I didn't go in the buildings at the top of the hill; I just paid the $7 admission and checked out the gift shop and walked around the area with my dog. I had actually planned on going to Burke ID just to stop on my way through to Montana from Washington because it seemed like there wasn't anywhere cool to go; but I'm really glad I decided to stay closer to the freeway - like a minute off the ramp.And I didn't get any of their names but the two women I saw working the visitor center were super friendly and the pay booth lady was nice too, she must have had good AC in there cause it was over 90°

Daniel Parsons

2021-05

Such a sacred and beautiful site. The history of this mission is incredible. I have been here many times and always leave in awe of its beauty

Tyson Young

2021-05

Had a great time attending a friend's wedding. Beautiful views and was able to experience quite a bit of history that otherwise I'd have never learned. Definitely suggest making it out at some point!

Brenda Guay

2020-05

Didn't have much time to explore unfortunately but took a lot of photos so I could read up on it later. Lots of information available on the history of the site. The visitor center was already closed when we got there (after 5:00) but looks like a very new / nice facility.