City of Rocks National Reserve, Almo, ID

The City of Rocks was a major part of the overland trail from 1843 through 1869. Pioneers leaving the comforts of their homes in the east for the unknown west and gold traveled through this area. Today visitors to the City of Rocks National Reserve can still see the wagon ruts, inscriptions on the rocks and journals. The hardy people that settled the west left an imprint for the generations following them.

This area is very old with some of the granite spires ascending over sixty stories. The granite in the reserve is thought to be at least two and half billion years old. Congress made the City of Rocks a national treasure in 1988. With an area of 14,407 acres it includes federal, private and state lands. There are many miles of solitude, cultural history and beautiful scenery.

It is thought that approximately a quarter of a million people traversed through the City of Rocks. The reserve has a center that gives information about the facilities and exhibits. This visitor's center is located in Almo, Idaho.

The visitor's center is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Every service and facility is open and fully operational. Unlike the conditions the pioneers endured that traveled through here so long ago there is water available at every location.

City of Rocks National Reserve is among the mountains of the Albion Mountain Range. There are many forms of flora and fauna within the reserve. Sagebrush, granite rock, pinion pine, juniper and alpine meadow are all part of the City of Rocks.

Visitors to the reserve come to hike, rock climb, view the wildlife, backpack, picnic and ride horses. With the many interesting rock formations professional and amateur photographers alike come here. During the winter there is an area for Nordic skiing.

The City of Rocks was on the California Trail and at the visitors' center guests can see entries from the diaries of some of the pioneers that moved westward. Camping is available at the reserve in designated spots. Campers can purchase firewood there as well. If campers or guests need anything they can travel to Almo for camping supplies, gas, diesel, lodging, dining and an ATM. There is also internet service locally.

Visitors will find the weather pleasant with very little rainfall in the summer. The ten to fifteen inches of precipitation comes in the spring or winter. The summer temperatures can be extremely high during the day with lows coming close to freezing. Afternoon thunderstorms are a possibility in July and August.

There is no charge to visit the City of Rocks National Reserve, but there is a twelve dollar a day fee plus tax for camping. This is for one vehicle and one site. Five dollars is added for more than one vehicle. Each campsite can handle a maximum of two vehicles and up to eight people. Two tents are allowed per site.

Visitors can also see the Castle Rocks State Park that is a former ranch. It is adjacent to the City of Rocks Reserve. Besides the rocks formations there is an early twentieth century ranch containing buildings and pastures.