city-of-rocks | ID | Find park

Snow dusted granite formations jut up from a mountainous juniper covered landscape.

Explore the City

3 silhouetted foggy granite formations highlighted by golden sunlight.

City of Rocks offers sweeping vistas and awe-inspiring scenery.

Grand scenic view looking down from a high elevation. Granite spires jut up from the landscape.

The majority of outcrops in City of Rocks and all of the pinnacles are either Almo Pluton or Green Creek Complex granite.

Two granite pinnacles right next to each other that are similar in size and shape.

Twin Sisters may be similar in size and shape, but one is 2.5 billion years old, the younger sister is only 28 million years old.

A granite arch is displayed on the horizon

Forces of nature sculpt unexpected features in granite such as Window Arch

Replica emigrant wagons rest unhitched at sunrise

Nearly 250,000 California-bound emigrants traveled through City of Rocks (1843-1882)

Emigrant signature written with axle-grease on granite

California-bound emigrants painted their signature on Register Rock in 1850

A climber ascends a granite spire with mountains in the distance.

Over half of the 100,000 annual visitors to City of Rocks come to experience climbing

Granite arch with sunset peeking through.

Window Arch is one of many impressive rock features found in City of Rocks.

Winter is a great time to experience quiet and solitude in City of Rocks.

Physical Address:

City of Rocks National Reserve

3035 Elba-Almo Road

Almo, ID 83312

Mailing Address:

City of Rocks National Reserve

P.O. Box 169

Almo, ID 83312

contact-details

Phone Number: 208-824-5901 Voice

Email Address: ciro_superintendent@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

Emigrants of the California Trail describe the rocks here in vivid detail as "a city of tall spires,” “steeple rocks," and "the silent city." Today, this backcountry byway attracts rock climbers, campers, hikers, hunters, and those with the spirit of adventure. There's inspirational scenery, exceptional opportunities for geologic study, and remnants of the Old West awaiting your discovery.

park designation:National Reserve

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

City of Rocks National Reserve

The National Reserve is open 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Many roads are not maintained during the winter and may become impassable from late November through March. For current conditions visitors are encouraged to check with the Visitor Center or watch for alerts on our website and social media. During summer the Visitor Center is open every day 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. During fall/winter the Visitor Center is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Wednesday-Sunday, closed holidays.

Weather Information:

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)