10 – Cleo’s Ferry Museum and Nature Trail
Cleo’s Ferry Museum and Nature Trail, located near Melba, Idaho, offers visitors a unique blend of history, art, and nature. Established by Dr. Samuel “Pappy” Swayne and his wife Cleo after they acquired the old ferry area, the site features preserved 1860s ferry service buildings alongside an eclectic collection of outsider art. The winding outdoor trail is adorned with hundreds of ornate birdhouses, ceramic lawn decorations, bronze statues, and signs displaying various philosophical and religious messages. Additionally, live peacocks and chickens inhabit the area, adding to its distinctive charm. Atlas Obscura+1Atlas Obscura+1
Visitors can explore various art installations, including large animal sculptures made from welded horseshoes and fiberglass statues of African safari animals. A notable feature along the trail is a graveyard where Dr. Swayne is laid to rest, reflecting the personal history intertwined with the site. The museum and nature trail are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing a serene and thought-provoking experience for those interested in a fusion of natural beauty and artistic expression.
More Information
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cleo-s-ferry-museum-and-nature-trail
https://www.facebook.com/p/Cleos-Ferry-Museum-100066998720772
Coordinates: 43.341411, -116.599593
Elevation: 2280 ft
Difficulty: 1
What to Expect: No info
Check In
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This is a fun spot. We have taken visitors here and always enjoy the walk.
Easy ride, have to come back and explore the grounds and hiking trail.
What a cool place – never had a clue this existed. Will have to come back when I’ve got more time.
May 3rd. Got there before they opened
I arrived just before closing. Would love to come back and spend more time.
I’ve stopped at Walter’s Ferry to gas up many times and had no idea this little gem of a place was back behind. Definitely worth the stop.
Such a unique place! I’ve been here several times–it’s fun to see all the peacocks and statues.
I love this odd little place. We were married here in 2011.
Cleo’s ferry is a great spot to explore! Definitely inspiring. And if it happens to be too hot to walk around when you visit, the gas station nearby has a good spot to sit and enjoy the AC.
Love that this place is hidden and no one knows about it. What a gem!
Never knew this was there…will have to come back
Very interesting place that I never knew existed. One of the things I love about the IAMC Challenges is all the cool places around here that I get to see. Almost hit a peacock on the way in so difficulty 1+ (just kidding). Took the time to check it out a bit but will have to come back another time for the nature walk.
Been here many times. Good place to take family visiting.
Never knew this was there gonna have to go back and check it out.
Great place to bring the kids for a history lesson and see the beautiful peacock’s.
This is one of those places you might ride past and never know it was there. I have gassed up at the station there many times but never have come over to check this place out. I’m going to bring the family over to explore further.
This is neat to see. I have been past here 100s of times. Never thought there would be such a display
Just a quick picture. Lots of people hanging out at a quiet place.
Interesting place.
I found out about this place this year, cool place to spend a little time.
This place is kinda cool to visit
GPS wanted me to do some trials riding to get on the de-facilitated bridge to cross back over the river. I thought maybe there would an easier route…
interesting place
Drove right past this one on my way to Givens Hot Springs. Pulled in 4 minutes before she shut the gate. Had to take a couple quick photos across the fence from the parking lot. I’ll have to come back and explore this one more, looks interesting.
Another site that I’ve passed by without knowing it was there. It’s located right next to Dan’s Ferry Service on the lower road next to it. Very interesting place with peacocks running about. It’s a very unique place to visit and walk about the grounds.
Welcome to Cleo’s Ferry Museum. It’s a funky little place with interesting structures and a nature trail. I’ll come back some day to explore further. Also, this was the last time I saw my bandana — I think I forgot to put it away and it blew off! I went to Map Rock next, and when I attempted to retrieve my bandana I realized I had lost it. Went all the way back to Cleo’s place and never found it. Bummer. Moral of the story: Stay hydrated!
Went here for the first time last year with my husband. What a fun place!
Stacy and I stopped in for a quick check in after the kickoff picnic, then came back with my mom and sister and did the nature walk
Didn’t know there was such a thing as white peacocks?
This is a cool unexpected site. Lots to see could spend a lot of time here and not see everything. Also has a nice walking loop trail.
This is a worthwhile destination to take the family for a picnic and a hike. I’m glad to learn about this interesting place.
Must have filled up 100 times, right next to this place, never knew it was there. Want to share this place with my wife. I think she would really enjoy it.
Hiked this as a family a number of times, well worth doing the entire hike.
I had no idea this place existed.
What a wild place this is! Like Map Rock, been by this place many times but never have seen it. I always stop at the store for junk food after dirt biking at Hemingway or Rabbit Creek. I’ll have to come back and spend more time there. Shots of Dan and ChillyPhilly as well….I had a great time with you guys!!
Great little walking trail with interesting things to look at. If you haven’t been here before, access is down and to the right of the gas station…it says “private road.” Keep going and you’ll see it.
This is a fun stop and a great little place to explore. We have been here a few times with family to walk around and see all the interesting buildings, and outdoor decorations. I love watching the peacocks which were very entertaining today. Beautiful day for a ride.