Ross Creek Cedars will close soon for trail work
During the summer months, the grove of coniferous trees south of Troy better known as the Ross Creek Cedars is a popular destination spot, drawing visitors in by automobile. In winter, the towering western red cedars are best seen on skis or snowshoes. (Duncan Adams/The Western News)
Ross Creek Cedars in south Lincoln County is one of the region's beloved places to enjoy nature among an ancient grove of enormous trees, but the high visitation rates mean it's time to perform some improvement and expansion work.
In a press release from Kootenai National Forest, the agency announced the Cedars Nature Trail will be closed sometime beginning as early as this month through September.
As part of a Great American Outdoors Act funded project, the area will be undergoing these improvements beginning this spring, with weather permitting, as early as April 2025.
This project will improve the existing nature trail to protect the grove and other vegetation from the high visitation rates, better define the route, and provide a consistent, sustainable trail surface that meets Forest Accessibility Standards for all users.
A closure order will be in effect for the entirety of the Ross Creek Cedars for public and contractor safety. A more accurate timeline will be posted closer to construction dates, but closure dates are anticipated from April to September 2025.
With the closure spanning the majority of the summer season, Forest officials are asking visitors to plan accordingly and visit other wonderful destinations on the Kootenai National Forest. To help plan your visit and more information on recreation opportunities across the Kootenai, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai.
For more information on the Ross Creek Cedars construction updates, visit the Kootenai Forest Alerts page at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/kootenai/alerts-notices or call the Three Rivers Ranger District (406-295-4693).
The Great American Outdoors Act gave the Forest Service new opportunities to deliver benefits to the American public through major investments in recreation infrastructure, public lands access as well as land and water conservation.
To explore Great American Outdoors Act projects funded across the national forest, check out the following dashboard and interactive map https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/14f1b88a54fe490c858c60238be67031/page/Home#data_s=id%3AdataSource_3-17ce1f5243a-layer-6%3A1150827.