City of Rocks National Reserve (U.S. National Park Service)

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City of Rocks National Reserve

This unique geologic area became a landmark in 1843 for California-bound emigrants. They left wagon ruts across the landscape and their signatures in axle grease on Register Rock, Camp Rock and many others.

A few granite pinnacles and monoliths are in excess of sixty stories tall and 2.5 billion years old. The smooth granite faces offer exceptional rock climbing. Today, over 500 climbing routes have been identified.

The Reserve is managed by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service.

Historic Emigrant Signatures

See historic signatures on rock spires written in axle grease by emigrants traveling the California Trail (1843-1869).

Link to City of Rocks Historical Resources Study

Geology

Distinctive landmarks such as the Twin Sisters formations are one of many spectacular sites in the Reserve.

One Sister is 100 times older than the other. The mythical qualities of this unusual place all contribute to the vividness that makes the City of Rocks a memorable scenic landscape.

View USGS Geologic Map

Flora

The Reserve boasts Idaho's tallest pinyon pines, at more than 55 feet. These pinyon pine forests are the largest in Idaho.

Write to

City of Rocks National Reserve
P.O. Box 169
Almo, ID 83312

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Center and Headquarters
(208) 824-5519

Fax

(208) 824-5563

Climate

City of Rocks is located in south-central Idaho on the northern edge of the Great Basin. Outdoor recreation can be pleasant from April through October. Summers are generally dry with 10 to 15 inches of precipitation fall mostly in winter and spring. Summer temperatures range widely with nighttime lows occasionally approaching freezing and midday highs nearing 100° F. July and August also see afternoon thundershowers.
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