Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)
Cataldo, ID
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
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
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)
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Bumblebee CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)TentsCaravans
- Chatcolet CampgroundCampsite22 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission) · 36 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsDogs allowed
- Blackwell Island RV ParkMotorhome stopover22 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission) · 182 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Big Hank CampgroundCampsite23 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission) · 30 pitchesTentsCaravansDogs allowed
- River Walk RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission) · 55 pitchesCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV ParkMotorhome stopover23 mi from Old Mission State Park (Cataldo Mission)MotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
All campsites in Idaho · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
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)