City Of Rocks National Reserve

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center, Wi-Fi.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 650 acres (263 ha).

Designation: Natural Reserve. Listed as "City of Rocks Natural Reserve" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: protected from conversion, multiple uses allowed (GAP 3).

Established: 1973.

Managed by: Idaho Parks and Recreation.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

Before you go

Limits

Reservations are required year-round for all campsites

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

City of Rocks is located in south-central Idaho within the northern edge of the Basin and Range geologic province. Outdoor recreation can be pleasant from April through October. Summers are generally dry with 10 to 15 inches of precipitation in winter and spring. Summer temperatures range widely with night time lows occasionally approaching freezing and midday highs nearing 100° F; however, the typical range of low and high temperature is 45-85. Thunderstorms are common in the summer months (June - August)

Visitor center

Backyard Boulders Trailhead

Visitor center

Bath Rock

Visitor center

Bath Rock Trail - 0.25 miles

Visitor center

Box Top Trailhead Rest Area

Visitor center

Bread Loaves

Visitor center

Castle Rocks - Backyard Boulders Trail - 1.5 miles

Visitor center

Circle Creek Overlook Parking Area

Visitor center

City of Rocks National Reserve, the California Trail

Visitor center

City of Rocks National Reserve, the California Trail

Visitor center

City of Rocks Visitor Center

Visitor center

City of Rocks Visitor Center

Visitor center

City of Rocks Visitor Center

Facilities on the park map

2 bench, 7 picnic area, 21 restroom, 20 visitor information, 6 water fountain.

Where to stay

• City of Rocks Campground Camping in City of Rocks is a great way to enjoy being out in nature. 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 climbing, hiking trails, and vistas. · 67 campsites · Accessibility: City of Rocks Campground is fairly primitive, roads and pathways are graveled and steep in some places. All restrooms are ADA accessible. The most level and…
• Smoky Mountain Campground 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. - 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 · 38 campsites · Accessibility: Campsites 11 and 24 are designated ADA accessible.