City Of Rocks National Reserve
City Of Rocks National Reserve
4.5
About
Numerous granite formations, some 70 stories tall, attract world-class rock climbers. The Reserve protects 6.2 miles of the California National Historic Trail, and features emigrant signatures written in axle grease. Idaho's only pinyon pine forest is within the 14,407-acre Reserve. Activities include camping, climbing, hiking, horseback riding, photography, birding, wildflower watching, hunting, and geological and historical discovery. The Reserve is a unit of the National Park System and is managed on site by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The visitor center is located in the gateway village of Almo,which provides food, gas, lodging, hot springs, and authentic, rural wester charm. Castle Rocks State Park is also located within a few miles.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- AnilAggarwalKurukshetra, India7,143 contributionsGEOLOGIC WONDERWhile onway to twin fall city, we went to enjoy this beautiful city of rocks natural reserve. Firstly we reach visitors center for information. No entry fee for visitors. We started this trip on a dirt road , enjoyed the spellbound beauty of these granite rocks taking different shapes due to weathering. These are Nature's Sculptures. Different shapes of steeples, cathedrals, pyramids, arches, bathtub are visible. Treasure rock, Register rock, Camp Rock, Elephant rock, Bath rock, natural arch are mesmerizing to watch. Rock climbing, camping, hiking, picnicking are available. Visiting center open from 8am to 4.30 pm as per season. Camping, drones are available in designated areas with permission. Washroom facility is minimum with pit type of toilet near visitor center. I liked this phrase " Please take Nothing but Pictures & Leave nothing but Footprints" during your visit to this wonder.Visited September 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 3, 2023
- kevan jNorman, Oklahoma1,503 contributionsWow! Who knew?This place is truly amazing! Our visit consisted of driving slowly to ALL parts of the park, stopping at several of the named rocks along the way, and taking a couple of short hikes. Wow! Rocks! Big rocks! Weird rocks! Rocks in every direction! Our favorites included Chicken Rock (an unsigned rock across from Camp Rock), Register Rock (a short hike and interesting signage), the Window Arch Trail, and the short hike to the magnificent overlook from the parking lot at Bath Rock. I wish I had brought my kids here many years ago as there are so many fun rock formations to climb on, and the park seems to welcome this. By the way, great visitor center in Almo. The two rangers we met there were nice, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about the park. I highly recommend this place!Visited June 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten June 29, 2024
- Kevin PWaihi Beach, New Zealand480 contributionsSuperb granite climbingThis is my third visit to CoR and it never fails to amaze. So much good climbing here on grippy, solid granite. Both single and Multipitch abound in the moderate (5.5-5.9) grades. Plenty of sun or shade if you want it. And good camping too.Visited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 8, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Don H
Kirkland, WA894 contributions
Sep 2020
My rating does not count towards this monument as it is a spectacular natural place that you should visit.
We planned to stay 2-3 days but left after only one as the incredible number of house flies was unbearable. I counted dozens in our truck at one time. Is this place next to a cattle feedlot maybe??
Also the camping registration is not like any other national park or monument but is administered by the State of Idaho? Why? It is poorly run. Instructions on the post at each site is fine, but tell me how you are supposed to know where the pay station is?? So we returned to the visitor center to pay and the young girl working there could not even tell us if the site we picked was really available. Come on - get your act together, or better yet, let the NPS run the place like all other National Monuments.
We planned to stay 2-3 days but left after only one as the incredible number of house flies was unbearable. I counted dozens in our truck at one time. Is this place next to a cattle feedlot maybe??
Also the camping registration is not like any other national park or monument but is administered by the State of Idaho? Why? It is poorly run. Instructions on the post at each site is fine, but tell me how you are supposed to know where the pay station is?? So we returned to the visitor center to pay and the young girl working there could not even tell us if the site we picked was really available. Come on - get your act together, or better yet, let the NPS run the place like all other National Monuments.
Written October 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sasha S
10 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Although this is a major destination for rock climbers and at times it felt cliquey, that is not the park’s fault. This place is absolutely stunning! We enjoy harness-free rock scrambling and city of rocks was 100% our jam! All the campsites are special in their own way. It is considered a dark sky park so stargazing is otherworldly! The little town of Almo is pure magic with a couple places to eat and the cutest Mercantile. You can actually get freeze dried bit-o-honey and big hunk, I hesitate even making that known because I want to keep them all for myself! The park rangers at the visitor center are some of the kindest most attentive people I’ve ever met and truly love their job! Don’t hesitate to visit this overlooked special gem!
Written September 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnilAggarwal
Kurukshetra, India7,143 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
While onway to twin fall city, we went to enjoy this beautiful city of rocks natural reserve. Firstly we reach visitors center for information. No entry fee for visitors. We started this trip on a dirt road , enjoyed the spellbound beauty of these granite rocks taking different shapes due to weathering. These are Nature's Sculptures. Different shapes of steeples, cathedrals, pyramids, arches, bathtub are visible. Treasure rock, Register rock, Camp Rock, Elephant rock, Bath rock, natural arch are mesmerizing to watch.
Rock climbing, camping, hiking, picnicking are available.
Visiting center open from 8am to 4.30 pm as per season.
Camping, drones are available in designated areas with permission.
Washroom facility is minimum with pit type of toilet near visitor center.
I liked this phrase
" Please take Nothing but Pictures & Leave nothing but Footprints" during your visit to this wonder.
Rock climbing, camping, hiking, picnicking are available.
Visiting center open from 8am to 4.30 pm as per season.
Camping, drones are available in designated areas with permission.
Washroom facility is minimum with pit type of toilet near visitor center.
I liked this phrase
" Please take Nothing but Pictures & Leave nothing but Footprints" during your visit to this wonder.
Written December 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Out This Door
Mesa, AZ585 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Beautiful but not RV friendly. Wish we could have stayed but all 60+ sites require same day online reservation but there’s no cell service. QR codes are not helpful when there’s no service. This park caters to climbers in sprinter vans or tents. If you don’t climb, don’t bother. You can certainly drive thru, the roads are dirt level 1, but don’t blink. It takes about 20 minutes to drive through the entire park. We had a 29 ft class c and only one spot fit us and that one was taken online while we were setting up satellite to reserve it so we had to leave the site. We researched this park beforehand to see if it would accommodate us and it looked great from Google Earth, not so when there. Bummer because it is really beautiful. Wound up boondocking in a rock quarry on BLM land that was amazingly clean and beautiful with no neighbors.
Written July 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin P
Waihi Beach, New Zealand480 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
This is my third visit to CoR and it never fails to amaze. So much good climbing here on grippy, solid granite. Both single and Multipitch abound in the moderate (5.5-5.9) grades. Plenty of sun or shade if you want it. And good camping too.
Written September 8, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
icuski2
Boise, ID293 contributions
Apr 2020
CoR has been a fond destination of ours since the kids were little. There's basically 3 things you can do there- camp, rock climb & hike. A little bit of mtn biking too. Is some good history signage in a few places. Awesome place for kids to explore and climb around. Don't forget just because it's down in southern Idaho and it's a dry, desert climate, it's high elevation so gets chilly, esp at night. We woke up to several inches of snow one Memorial Day camp trip years ago!
Written April 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
messier27
Fountain, CO244 contributions
May 2021 • Solo
Nice National Park site. Great trails. Dirt roads, but good condition. It seems to cater mostly to rock climbers; it seems that most of the formations had people climbing on them, but they deserve to have fun too. The visitor center has great rangers
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tink0707
West Jordan, UT1,055 contributions
Jul 2023 • Friends
We added this stop onto a visit to Shoshone falls. We had looked up a couple of hikes in advance and when we got there, there is no service & we struggled a bit at first to figure out where the trails we wanted were. We got here a little later in the day and it was HOT. The rock formations are neat. Appears to be really good Rick climbing. Definitely think some of the utah national parks are better.
Written July 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bernard W
Dallas, TX1,930 contributions
Jul 2022
Wow! This City of Rocks is out-of-the-way and so off the beaten path, but oh so wonderful. It is exactly what it says—a city of rocks—huge rocks. Huge boulders. Can’t emphasize how big these stones are—much bigger than buildings. White and varied shapes for enjoying to view or climb. Wonderful place. Very worthwhile. See the names of pioneer travelers from 1840s to 1850s. What amazing people those intrepid travelers were!
Written July 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa D
West Jordan, UT299 contributions
Jul 2022
Wonderful place to spend a day as a family. We were able to explore the historical sites with names signed in an alcove by pioneers and settlers. Our family LOVED climbing on the rocks and enjoying the view of the valley. We did stop at the visitor center which is small, but welcoming and provides a place to refill water containers. We had a great day and enjoyed our visit. It was REALLY hot so after about 1.5 hours we needed to head for home, but we really had a great time.
Written July 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are planning to tent camp at City of Rocks during mid November. What can we expect weather wise?
Written October 10, 2024
Could you spend a full day exploring this area, hiking, etc? Will be arriving mid day , then thinking next full day here.
Thanks,
C
Written April 23, 2021
We will be camping at City of Rocks for just one night in August. I assume the temps will still be scorching hot, so does anyone have suggestions of an amazing campsite that offers plenty of shade and is private? There are so many! Any other tips are greatly appreciated! My son is hoping to do a little climbing on our way north to the Sawtooths and Frank Church.
Written March 25, 2019
Wallace Keck
Almo, Idaho
August may not be as scorching as you imagine, since most of the campsites are above 6,200 feet. It can be quite pleasant. You did not say what kind of camping unit you are in, but here are some shady tent sites: #18-20, 27-28, 36-37, 41-43, 46-49, 53-55; my favorites are #37, 46, 54.
Written March 26, 2019
Wallace Keck
Almo, Idaho
Speaking as the park superintendent, I appreciate the previous responses. We are a dog friendly park, but owners must keep them leashed, and also prevent them from digging in the vegetation, especially at climbing staging areas and campsites.
Written June 28, 2017
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