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Idaho
12

Idaho State Parks

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USA Parks
Idaho
South-Central Region
City of Rocks National Reserve
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City of Rocks National Reserve Silent City of Rocks credits NPS Photo
snowy granite spires
City of Rocks National Reserve Window Arch at City of Rocks credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
Forces of nature sculpt unexpected features in granite such as Window Arch
City of Rocks National Reserve Grand Autumn View of City of Rocks credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
City of Rocks offers sweeping vistas and awe-inspiring scenery
City of Rocks National Reserve City of Rocks National Reserve credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
Campsites are nestled here in the Elephant Rock Basin
City of Rocks National Reserve City of Rocks Climber on granite formation called credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
Over half of the 100,000 annual visitors to City of Rocks come to experience climbing
City of Rocks National Reserve Replica Emigrant Wagons at City of Rocks credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
Nearly 250,000 California-bound emigrants traveled through City of Rocks 1843-1882
City of Rocks National Reserve City of Rocks National Reserve credits Share the Experience, Roxie Crouch
City of Rocks National Reserve
City of Rocks National Reserve Emigrant Signatures at City of Rocks credits NPS Photo/Wallace Keck
California-bound emigrants painted their signature on Register Rock in 1850
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CITY OF ROCKS NATIONAL RESERVE
CITY OF ROCKS NATIONAL RESERVE
City of Rocks National Reserve
Almo, Idaho   83342
(lat:42.076 lon:-113.7017) map location

Phone: 208 824-5901
Email: park email button icon
Emigrants of the California Trail describe the rocks here in vivid detail as "a city of tall spires," "steeple rocks," and "the silent city." Today, this backcountry byway attracts rock climbers, campers, hikers, hunters, and those with the spirit of adventure. There's inspirational scenery, exceptional opportunities for geologic study, and remnants of the Old West awaiting your discovery.
Camping
City of Rocks Campground

Relax beneath the cool shade of aspen, juniper, mountain mahogany, or pine. Spend the night surrounded by impressive granite formations and starry skies. There are 64 standard campsites and 3 group sites to choose from with easy access to hiking trails and vistas.

All campsites have a fire-ring/ground grill and a picnic table.
Clean vault toilets are located in central areas.
Drinking water is available at Bath Rock and Emery Pass Picnic Area April-October.

City of Rocks offers designated back country camping in the Indian Grove area. Permits are required for back country camping.


Smoky Mountain Campground
conveniently located just two miles away from the Visitor Center and services in the town of Almo.

There are 38 campsites available, 9 of which are pull-through. Sites 11 and 24 are designated ADA accessible. A separate loop with 6 sites accommodates equestrian campers. Each site includes

water service May-September
30 amp electrical hook-ups
fire-ring/ground grill
picnic table
partial shade

There are flush toilets and showers open May-September and a vault toilet open year-round at the equestrian trail head. An RV dump station is provided near the campground entrance.


Location
City of Rocks National Reserve is

Horse Area
Horseback riding can be one of the best ways to experience much of the Reserve's backcountry. Often you can see more wildlife, explore steep rugged country, and more quickly escape the crowds. City of Rocks equestrian trails take you deep into the heart of the North Fork Circle Creek country, Indian Grove, and even 8,867-foot Graham Peak.

Horse trailer parking is currently permitted near Register Rock and at Bread Loaves. The equestrian day-use parking area and trailhead at Smoky Mountain is the best facility, and the California Trail leads into the Reserve. Equestrian camping is available at Juniper Group Site in the Reserve and at Smoky Mountain Campground.
Trails
Over 22 miles of hiking trails traverse City of Rocks National Reserve, leading to arches, windows, and dramatic overlooks. Trails vary from easy to steep and strenuous. Short walks to all-day hikes deep into the backcountry are available, and trail maps can be acquired at the visitor center.

Short, relatively easy hikes

Window Arch Trail, 300 feet, one way
Bath Rock Trail, 1,800 feet loop
Creekside Towers Trail, 0.6 miles one way

Longer, more difficult trails

Geological Interpretive Trail, 1.2-mile loop
Flaming Rock Trail, 0.76 miles, strenuous loop
North Fork Circle Creek, 6.3 miles between trailheads
Birding
Some of the best locations in the state for observing Pinyon Jay, Virginia's Warbler, Gray Flycatcher, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Greater Sage-Grouse, Black-throated Gray Warbler, and Plumbeous Vireo. As of June 2020, 179 bird species have been documented in the checklist area, and 117 species have been counted in a single day

Idaho's State Bird Mountain Bluebird is here, as well as nesting Golden Eagles, Ferruginous Hawk, Burrowing Owl, Canyon Wren, Green-tailed Towhee, Lesser Goldfinch, and many more that are recorded on the Checklist of Birds.

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Directions
From Boise: take I-84 East to exit 216 (Declo); go south on Highway 77 to Conner Creek Junction; turn right (west) on Highway 77 Spur to Almo. The visitor center and the park entrance are south of the post office and businesses. From Pocatello: take I-86 West to I-84 West to exit 216 and proceed as above. From Salt Lake City: take I-84 west to exit 245 (Sublette), turn left and go west to Malta. From Malta take Highway 77. Take Highway 77 Spur to Almo.

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Idaho
12

Idaho State Parks

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