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City Of Rocks National Reserve

This unique geologic area became a landmark in 1843 for California-bound emigrants. They left wagon ruts across the landscape and their signatures in axle grease on Register Rock, Camp Rock and many others. A few granite pinnacles and monoliths are in excess of sixty stories tall and 2.5 billion years old. The smooth granite faces offer exceptional rock climbing. Today, over 500 climbing routes have been identified.

The Basics

Hours:

Visitor Center:

Summer (April 1 through October 31): 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Winter (November 1 through March 31): Monday - Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on holidays.

Address:

PO Box 169
Almo, ID 83312

Phone:

208-824-5519

Fax:

208-824-5563

Directions

From Boise
Take I-84 East to exit 216 (Declo); go south on Idaho 77 to Conner Creek, then southwest on the Elba-Almo road to the visitor center in Almo and the park entrance.

From Pocatello
Take I-86 West to I-84 West to exit 216 and proceed as above.

From Ogden and the Wasatch Front
Take I-84 west to exit 245 (Sublette) and go west to Malta. From Malta take Idaho 77 to Conner Creek, then southwest on the Elba-Almo road to the visitor center in Almo and the park entrance. There is a seasonal summer route from Burley (Idaho 27) to Oakley, then south along the City of Rocks Back Country Byway.

Climate

City of Rocks is located in south-central Idaho on the northern edge of the Great Basin. Outdoor recreation can be pleasant from April through October. Summers are generally dry with 10 to 15 inches of precipitation fall mostly in winter and spring. Summer temperatures range widely with nighttime lows occasionally approaching freezing and midday highs nearing 100° F. July and August also see afternoon thundershowers.

Link to our Twin Falls Weather coverage for more information.

Seasons

Year-round use. Reserve roads are generally impassable in the winter. Check with reserve headquarters for road closures at 208-824-5519.

Fees

Entrance is free.
Camping fees start at $12.00 per night.

Reservations

Reservations not required, but recommended.

Things To Do

Castle Rocks State Park, a former ranch, is one of Idaho's newest state parks located adjacent to City of Rocks National Reserve. Its 1,240 acres include outstanding rock formations, early 20th century ranch structures and pastures. Facilities are still in development but recreational opportunities include rock climbing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and superb bird watching.

City of Rocks offers 64 standard sites in and among the granite formations, with easy access to trails and vistas. Clean vault toilets and water stations are centrally located. Most sites include a tent pad, picnic table and fire grill.

Over 22 miles of hiking trails traverse City of Rocks National Reserve, taking you to arches, windows and drammatic overlooks. Trails vary from level and easy to steep and strenuous. Short walks to all-day hikes deep into the backcountry are available. Maps can be acquired at the visitor center.

The geologic features are internationally renown for rock climbing. About 700 routes have been developed to date. 100 to 300-foot spires provide most of the climbing opportunities, although there are 600-foot spires which provide extended adventures.

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