TravelTips24 : North America : United States of America : Rocky Mountains : Idaho : City of Rocks National Reserve

City of Rocks National Reserve

City of Rocks National Reserve [1] is a unit of the United States National Park System that is located in southern Idaho. The Reserve is popular with hikers and rock climbing who come to wander through the maze of massive boulders (some over 100 meters tall).

Culture and History

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Travel to City of Rocks National Reserve & Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to City of Rocks National Reserve

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

By car

The reserve is located 45 miles south of Burley, Idaho. From Boise and the west, take I-84 to 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 Sublette exit 245 and go west toward Malta, Elba, and Almo. There is a seasonal summer route through Oakley via Route 27.

By public transportation

There is no public transportation to the reserve.

Fees/Permits

A day use fee is not collected at City of Rocks; however, there is a $7 / night / site fee for overnight camping.

Tours & Getting around City of Rocks National Reserve

City of Rocks National Reserve attractions and sightseeing

City of Rocks National Reserve city tours

Rock Climbing is the most popular activity in the area, hiking and mountain biking are also very fun. There are miles of trails in City of Rocks along with more in Castle Rocks State Park and many of the longer trails take you through the Sawtooth National Forest. Almo puts on a town festival called Almo Wild West days and it is always the last friday and saturday in June. They'll have dancing and music, magic shows, competitions that anyone can sign up for and there is talk of adding more stuff in the future. Local guide Indian Grove Outfitters offers guided horseback rides, they go for as little as 1.5 hrs up to a 6 day 5 night pack trip. Durfee Hot Springs is a fun place to visit, you can purchase day passes or buy them with a stay at the Almo Inn. The hot springs have been around forever and the Durfee's have renovated them and it's a nice place to go relax.

City of Rocks National Reserve souvenirs & shopping

City of Rocks National Reserve Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

There are no restaurants, stores or vending machines within the park. In Almo, 5 minutes from the park, the Outpost Steakhouse has a full service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Outpost has great steaks and tacos! There is also a convenience store call Tracy General store where you can buy beer, gas, diesel, ATM, internet, and all other convenience store items.

  • Rock City Mercantile, Almo, Idaho(past the visitor center), ☎ 208-824-5510. Rock City Mercantile, located in Almo Idaho is open seven days a week in the summer; call for winter hours. Serves sandwiches on fresh baked rolls, hand made pizza, specials. Coldest beer and soda in town, firewood, groceries, camping supplies and ice.
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    This page was last edited at 01:49, on 25 October 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Nick Roux, Johny Canal and Ryan Holliday and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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