Idaho Giant Cedar

A short trail meant for a quick bicycle ride or hike with your pup, the Giant Red Cedar National Recreation Trail packs in a lot of beauty in a small area. About one mile in length, the trail takes visitors through a forest rich with old red cedars, hence its name. Most of the trail is paved, save for a wooden footbridge that's easy to cross, to allow access to everyone, also making for an easy and safe hike for all. 

You'll likely encounter a lot of wildlife here, like raccoons and deer, but the most popular activity for hikers is viewing the largest tree in the forest, known as the Champion Tree of Idaho, which stands 177 feet high and proudly displays signs of weather damage that it's withstood throughout its thousands of years of life.

The gorgeous tree, its beautiful forest, and the Giant Red Cedar National Recreation Trail make their home in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, which offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including fishing, hunting, water sports, and winter sports. In fact, the trail is sometimes used by snowshoers in the winter who want to see the forest's snow-covered beauty. 

The National Forest has RV, tent, and cabin campsites that provide visitors with a rustic outdoor adventure set to an incredible forest backdrop. Stay here and you'll have plenty of trails to choose between -- from easy to challenging -- that offer a wide range of landscapes to enjoy. Dogs are allowed on-leash at the campsites and on the trails, but be considerate of others and bring a few bags along to clean up waste. Before you go explore, remember to check the park's fire danger alerts, which can often be high during the summer months.

The Giant Red Cedar National Recreation Trail contains one of Idaho's most coveted treasures set along an easy trail for the whole family to enjoy.