| One of the extraordinary geological sites on earth, | | | | photography, horseback riding, mountain biking, and |
| the City of Rocks National Reserve, remains one of | | | | picnicking. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are popular |
| Idaho's major attractions. The reserve, managed by | | | | during the winter months. |
| the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation under | | | | Rock climbing is the favorite activity. City of Rocks in |
| a cooperative agreement with the National Park | | | | one of the finest granite-face climbing sites |
| Service, encompasses 14,407 acres of south central | | | | anywhere in the world. Some 700 climbing routes |
| Idaho just north of the Idaho/Nevada border. About | | | | have been developed. One hundred to 300-foot rock |
| one-quarter of the acreage is privately owned. | | | | spires provide most of the climbing opportunities, but |
| Established as a National Reserve in 1988, the site is | | | | spires up to 600 feet high are available for the more |
| known for its scenic, geological and historic | | | | skilled adventurers. Privately published climbing guides |
| significance. | | | | are available for sale at the Reserve headquarters |
| The "rocks" that give this extensive area its name | | | | and at the City of Rocks Visitor Center located |
| are granite rock formations dating back as far as 2.5 | | | | nearby in the small town of Almo. |
| billion years, making them some of the oldest | | | | One of Idaho's many scenic routes, the 49-mile long |
| formations found in the United States. This is not just | | | | City of Rocks Back Country Byway passes the site. |
| a bunch of rocks. There are scores of granite | | | | This Scenic Byway begins at the little town of Albion |
| columns reaching up to 60 stories tall, looming | | | | on Idaho State Route 77. Heading south, the Byway |
| dramatically above a sagebrush-covered basin that | | | | passes the Pomerelle Ski Area and the Lake |
| features the backdrop of the colorful Albion | | | | Cleveland Recreation Area. The route passes through |
| Mountains. | | | | the small communities of Elba and Almo before |
| The granite outcroppings have been shaped through | | | | reaching the City of Rocks National Reserve. |
| the years by wind and weathering. Some visitors see | | | | From the Reserve, the Byway follows Birch Creek to |
| faces, buildings and animal shapes in the rocks. What | | | | the city of Oakley, where it meets up with Idaho |
| they see is limited to their imaginations. | | | | State Route 27. The entire town of Oakley is on the |
| City of Rocks was an important landmark for those | | | | National Register of Historic Places. The town |
| pioneers traveling west on the famed California Trail. | | | | features Idaho's largest concentration of old |
| Pioneer diaries from 1843 described the rocks in detail | | | | wood-framed and stone buildings. This Byway drive |
| as "a city of tall spires", "steeple rocks", and a display | | | | takes about 1.5 hours and makes a great combination |
| of "all manner of fantastic shapes". Be sure to take a | | | | experience with additional time spent at the City of |
| walk to see inscriptions on the spires written in axle | | | | Rocks Reserve. |
| grease by travelers passing through on the California | | | | Primitive camping is available at Howell Canyon and |
| Trail. | | | | City of Rocks. R.V. parks are available in Oakley and |
| The rock formations are adjacent to lush mountain | | | | north of City of Rocks at the Interstate Route 84 |
| meadows and pinion-juniper and mountain mahogany | | | | Interchange on the Snake River. |
| tree stands. Arrowleaf Balsamroot and other | | | | On a visit to Idaho, make sure to include a visit to |
| wildflowers are present beginning in the spring and | | | | City of Rocks National Reserve. Don't forget the |
| lasting through late fall. Recreational opportunities | | | | camera! |
| include hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, | | | | |