Bernard DeVoto was an author and conservationist. He followed the route taken by Lewis and Clark while writing his book The Lewis and Clark Journals. He camped in the grove that now bears his name. His favorite spot was under a massive cedar tree where could look at the clear flowing Crooked Creek and it as the water babbled over the rocks.

In 1955, he suddenly died. He had wanted his ashes scattered over one of the National Forests. This task was given to Chet Olsen, Regioinal Forester of Region Four and an old friend of DeVoto. James Vessey of Region One, knowing of DeVoto's love of the grove suggested that area. In the spring of 1956, Olsen, riding in a plane hehired from Johnson's Flying Service, Missoula, MT, carried out the last request of DeVoto.

At the time the area was called 'Big Cedars' and was a campground, with the construction U.S. Highway 12, the area was reduced to provide space for the road. It was no longer large enough for a campground and it was renamed in memory of DeVoto. There is a sign in the parking area that reads, "This majestic grove of western cedar is dedicated to the memory of Bernard DeVoto, conservationist, author and historian. He often camped here while studying the journals of Lewis and Clark. At his request, his ashes are scattered over the area." Then on a large boulder in the grove there is a bronze plaque which reads, "In memory of Bernard DeVoto 1897-1955, conservationist and historian of the West." The area was dedicated in 1961 with a small group of family and friends present, as the family requested.

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