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City Of Rocks National Reserve

Almo, ID

"We encamped at the city of the rocks, a noted place from the granite rocks rising abruptly out of the ground," wrote James Wilkins in 1849. "They are in a romantic valley clustered together, which gives them the appearance of a city." Wilkins was among the first wagon travelers to fix the name City of Rocks to what looked like "a dismantled, rock-built city of the Stone Age." California Trail pioneers were leaving civilization as they knew it in the East for new lives in the West. Some wrote their names in axle grease on rock faces, and their signatures can be seen today. No doubt thirsty on this northern edge of the Great Basin Desert, one emigrant saw the distant rocks in August like "water thrown up into the air from numerous artificial hydrants." Beginning in 1843, City of Rocks was a landmark for emigrants on the California Trail and Salt Lake Alternate Trail and later on freight routes and the Kelton, Utah to Boise, Idaho stage route.

The area's historical and geological values, scenery, and opportunities for recreation led to its designation as City of Rocks National Reserve in 1988. This unit of the National Park System is managed cooperatively by the National Park Service and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, who invite you to enjoy the wonders of the City of Rocks.

CONTACTS

Email - CIRO_Ranger_ Activities_@nps.gov

Fax- 208-824-5563

Write to
PO Box 169
Almo, ID 83312

Phone
Headquarters - 208-824-5519

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
Park: Year-around use. Reserve roads are subject to seasonal closure in the winter. Hiking, and snowmobiling are allowed. Check with reserve headquarters for road closures at (208) 824-5519.

Visitor Center: Summer - Daily, 7 days a week: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Winter: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed on holidays.

Getting There
PLANE - The nearest air service is Burley(charter) (45 miles), Twin Falls (85 miles), Salt Lake City (170 miles), Boise (215 miles), Pocatello (100 miles).

CAR - The reserve is located 45 miles south of Burley, Idaho. From Boise and the west, take I-84 to the Declo exit 216 and south to Idaho route 77 to Albion, Elba, and Almo. From Pocatello and Idaho Falls, take I-86 & I-84 to the Declo exit and then south to Almo. From Salt Lake City take I-15 north to Tremonton, then west on I-84 to Snowville and then routes 30 and 42, or continue north on I-84 to the Sublette exit and go west toward Malta, Elba, and Almo. There is a seasonal summer route through Oakley via Route 27.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to the reserve.

Weather & Climate
The City of Rocks is located in southern Idaho on the northern edge of the Great Basin. Outdoor recreation can be pleasant from April through October. Summers are generally dry; the 10 to 15 inches of precipitation fall mostly in winter and spring. Summer temperatures range wildly with nighttime lows occasionally approaching freezing and midday highs nearing 100? F. July and August also see afternoon thundershowers. Visitors should bring sunscreen to protect themselves from the very intense sunshine at high elevations.

Accessibility
Within the Reserve, one restroom and some campsites are wheelchair accessible. At this time, none of the trails are wheelchair accessible. The visitor center in Almo is accessible.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
DAY USE AND ENTRANCE FEES
Free!

Activity Fee
GROUP CAMPING
$59/minimum for One Time
There is a $25 reservation fee and $2/per person per night camp fee. A minimum of 17 people are required to reserve a group site. Maximum group size varies. Contact the reserve for more information.

SINGLE USE CAMPING
$7.00 for Day
The camping fee for one vehicle and one site is $7 per night. Five dollars ($5) is charged for an extra vehicle. A maximum of two vehicles, 8 people, and two tents are allowed at a single site. Reservations are not mandatory but may be made by calling 1-208-824-5519.

CAMPING

City of Rocks
Primitive sites with fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. Several vault toilets throughout the camping area. Camping is available in the winter after the gates are locked if you want to hike in. Call the reserve for reservations.
For More Information on this campground please call 1-208-824-5519

Throughout park.
Open All Year
There are about 75 designated campsites in the reserve. Three group sites are available. There is one potable water source in the reserve. Most of the campsites among the rock formations are accessed from the road. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. There are no hook-ups, showers or dump stations. Vault toilets are located throughout the reserve. Gathering of fire wood is prohibited. Bring your own wood or purchase at the visitor center. Backcountry permits are free and available at the visitor center

LODGING

Old Homestead Bed and Breakfast
The Old Homestead Bed and Breakfast is located in Almo. The nearest motels are about 30 miles distant. $40 for double - $45 for queen. A continental breakfast is provided in the room rate.
For More Information on this lodging please call 1-208-824-5521

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
CITY OF ROCKS NATIONAL RESERVE VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year Mon-Fri 8:00am - 4:30pm
Phone - 1-208-824-5519
Closures - Visitor center closed on holidays and weekends during the winter.
Special Programs - Regularly scheduled interpretive and educational programs are given throughout May through September. Programs may be available upon request. Need 30 days or more advance notice. Check with the visitor center or at the Bath Rock kiosk for program dates, times, and place.
Available Facilities - The visitor center is located in Almo, Idaho. Brochures, climbing guides, historic trail information, camping information, Community Sharing Exhibits, books and gifts are available. Rock climbing, camping, hiking, photography, joining in guided programs, natural and cultural history study, bird watching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and deer hunting.

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