# Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)

> The Mission of the Sacred Heart (Cataldo Mission) was built after 1850 and completed in 1853. It is considered the oldest surviving structure in Idaho.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/old-mission-cataldo/

The oldest standing building in Idaho, a mission church built by Jesuits and Coeur d'Alene people on a grassy rise above the river. Walk the grounds and the small visitor centre; it is a short detour from I-90.

The Mission of the Sacred Heart (Cataldo Mission) was built after 1850 and completed in 1853. It is considered the oldest surviving structure in Idaho. The Italian Jesuit Antonio Ravalli designed the church; it was built with the simplest of tools, without nails but with wooden pegs, together with members of the Coeur d’Alene tribe. The mission had been founded in 1842 on the St. Joe River and was moved to its present site near Cataldo because of flooding. It is a National Historic Landmark.

Today the grounds are Old Mission State Park, with trails and cemeteries. One to two hours are enough for the church and grounds. Cataldo lies on the Coeur d’Alene River, and Interstate 90 runs just to the south, so the stop makes an easy short detour between Coeur d’Alene and Wallace.

- **Nearest town:** Cataldo, ID
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 47.5499, -116.3624

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Idaho State Historical Society: Cataldo Mission (NRHP)](https://history.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Cataldo_Mission_66000312.pdf)
- [Idaho Parks and Recreation](https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/)

## Nearby

- [Wallace Historic District](https://camping-spirit.com/places/wallace-idaho/) – 21 mi
- [Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille](https://camping-spirit.com/places/sandpoint-lake-pend-oreille/) – 51 mi
- [Steptoe Butte](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b8-steptoe-butte/) – 57 mi
- [CSKT Bison Range](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b18-bison-range/) – 99 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)?

Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission) is in Cataldo, ID, at GPS 47.5499, -116.3624. It is about 11 mi from Kellogg.

### Can you camp near Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is CDA Rover RV, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 28 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)?

Places worth a stop nearby: Wallace Historic District (21 mi), Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille (51 mi), Steptoe Butte (57 mi) and CSKT Bison Range (99 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)