Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area

Hobo Cedar Grove is a 240-acre protected area in St. Joe National Forest where Western Red Cedar trees grow over 100 feet tall, surrounded by Oregon boxwood and Lady-fern plants. The landscape shows a mix of densely packed trees and understory vegetation in a moist woodland setting.

The area gained National Natural Landmark status in 1980, protecting cedar trees centuries old that began growing before Europeans explored North America. This protection status recognized the importance of this forest area for preserving ancient woodland ecosystems.

The place holds meaning for forest ecologists and nature conservationists studying how old-growth woodlands influence regional environments. Visitors observe how scientists and botanists use this location to understand forest relationships and ecosystem balance.

Two connected walking trails totaling 1.5 miles guide visitors through the woodland, with numbered signs identifying plant species along the way. The well-marked paths allow visitors to explore the vegetation at their own pace and learn more about forest structure.

The place hosts more than 77 plant species and 10 tree varieties in a relatively small space, creating a concentrated display of Pacific Northwest vegetation. This density allows visitors to see the diversity of an entire region within a single woodland area.