City of Rocks

https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Rocks_National_Reserve The City of Rocks National Reserve, also known as the Silent City of Rocks, is a United States National Reserve and state park lying 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the south central Idaho border with Utah. It is widely known for its excellent rock climbing and rock formations. The rock spires in the City of Rocks and adjacent Castle Rocks State Park are largely composed of granitic rock of the Oligocene Almo pluton and Archean Green Creek Complex. California Trail wagon trains of the 1840s and 1850s left the Raft River valley and traveled through the area and over Granite Pass into Nevada. Names or initials of emigrants written in axle grease are still visible on Register Rock. Ruts from wagon wheels also can be seen in some of the rocks. 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. 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. City of Rocks Visitor Center The Visitor Center for City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park is located just outside the National Reserve in the community of Almo. Stop in to chat with a Ranger or pick up maps, guide booklets, and other informative resources. We also offer souvenirs such as books, mugs, apparel, postcards, and stickers. The Visitor Center is located 2 miles east of the Reserve in the small community of Almo. The visitor center is directly south of the post office and most businesses. City of Rocks Campground Camping in City of Rocks is a great way to enjoy being out in nature. Relax beneath the cool shade of aspen, juniper, mountain mahogany, or pine. Spend the night surrounded by impressive granite formations and starry skies. There are 64 standard campsites and 3 group sites to choose from with easy access to climbing, hiking trails, and vistas. Campsite Fee 14.00 8 people, 2 tents, and 2 vehicles per site. All equipment must fit within the designated camping area. All campsites have a fire-ring/ground grill and a picnic table. Reservation fee is $10. This fee does not apply for walk-ins paying by envelope or in person at the Visitor Center. Group Campsite Fee 36.00 $3 per person, 12 person minimum ($36 minimum) $10 reservation fee. The reservation fee does not apply for walk-ins paying by envelope or in person at the Visitor Center. Camping Under the Milky Way An orange tent glows in early pre-dawn beneath the milky way in a star filled sky. The dark skies in City of Rocks provide excellent conditions for star gazing. City of Rocks Camping 01 A blue tent is nestled in shade of mountain mahogany Camping among the rocks is popular City of Rocks Camping 02 A camp trailer is parked with granite rocks behind Some campsites are suitable for small RV campers City of Rocks Camping 03 Numerous tents are set up below granite rocks City of Rocks offers group camping areas Smoky Mountain Campground There are 38 campsites available, 9 of which are pull-through. Sites 11 and 24 are designated ADA accessible. A separate loop with 6 sites accommodates equestrian campers. - water service May-September - 30 amp electrical hook-ups - fire-ring/ground grill - picnic table - partial shade There are flush toilets and showers open May-September and a vault toilet open year-round at the equestrian trail head. An RV dump station is provided near the campground entrance. Idaho Resident Campsite Fee 28.00 An additional $10 fee is applied for advanced reservations. This fee does not apply to walk-ins. Water typically available May1st through September 30th depending on weather. Each vehicle must pay an entrance fee of $7 or have an Annual Pass or Passport. Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee 7.00 All vehicles are required to pay a motor vehicle entrance fee or have an Annual Pass or Passport. Campsite Reservation Fee 10.00 This fee is required to make campsite reservations in advance and does not apply to walk-ins. Shower Fee 3.00 fee is per shower Non-Idaho Resident Campsite Fee 31.00 An additional $10 fee is applied for advanced reservations. This fee does not apply to walk-ins. Water typically available May1st through September 30th depending on weather. Each vehicle must pay an entrance fee of $7 or have an Annual Pass or Passport. Smoky Mountain Campsite A family is gathered around a blazing campfire in the evening. Smoky Mountain Campsite Orange tents, fire ring, and picnic table, in a campsite at Smoky Mountain Campground. Smoky Mountain Campsite A truck with an Airstream trailer on a paved pad with mountains in the background. City of Rocks Granite Snow dusted granite formations jut up from a mountainous juniper covered landscape. Explore the City City of Rocks 3 silhouetted foggy granite formations highlighted by golden sunlight. City of Rocks offers sweeping vistas and awe-inspiring scenery. Indian Grove Overlook 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. Twin Sisters 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. Window Arch at City of Rocks A granite arch is displayed on the horizon Forces of nature sculpt unexpected features in granite such as Window Arch Replica Emigrant Wagons at City of Rocks Replica emigrant wagons rest unhitched at sunrise Nearly 250,000 California-bound emigrants traveled through City of Rocks (1843-1882) Emigrant Signatures at City of Rocks Emigrant signature written with axle-grease on granite California-bound emigrants painted their signature on Register Rock in 1850 Climber on Morning Glory Spire 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 Window Arch Granite arch with sunset peeking through. Window Arch is one of many impressive rock features found in City of Rocks. Silent City of Rocks Snowy granite pinnacles. Winter is a great time to experience quiet and solitude in City of Rocks. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—City Of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. Links to products from Baseline Geologic and Soil Resources Inventories provide access to maps and reports. [Site Under Development] large granite outcrops Wildland Fire in Douglas Fir: Western United States Douglas fir is widely distributed throughout the western United States, as well as southern British Columbia and northern Mexico. Douglas fir is able to survive without fire, its abundantly-produced seeds are lightweight and winged, allowing the wind to carry them to new locations where seedlings can be established. Close-up of Douglas fir bark and needles. Wildland Fire in Sagebrush Sagebrush will burn when the surrounding grasses are dry. With strong winds, fire spreads rapidly with flames sometimes reaching over 30 feet high. While fire easily kills sagebrush, the other plants resprout from protected roots producing lush forage for wildlife and livestock. Close-up of sagebrush leaves Explore Your Southern Idaho National Parks Discover southern Idaho's hidden treasures, including Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, City of Rocks National Reserve, Minidoka National Historic Site, and Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. A group of people joyfully cut the ceremonial ribbon outside the new Minidoka visitor center. Visiting City of Rocks National Reserve With its unique granite formations and stunning scenery, City of Rocks National Reserve in southern Idaho offers a multitude of opportunities for hiking, camping, climbing, and more. Cool Geology Hike in Castle Rocks Join Ranger Tara as she takes you to see some awesome geologic features in Castle Rocks. Panhole in granite feature at Three Pools Boulder. Two Different Types of Granite Learn about the two different types of granite in City of Rocks. Dark gray granite with large white crystals. City of Rocks Junior Ranger Online Learn about City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. Field of wildflowers in front of Castle Rocks State Park in Almo, ID. Searching for a Rare Wildflower Follow along as the Park Superintendent looks for the rare Steer's head Wildflower. Two Steer's head Wildflowers Geology Word Search Junior Ranger Geology Word Search Activity Geology Word Search The Parts of a Flower Ranger Kate dissects a daffodil and explains the different parts of the flower. A yellow daffodil flower. Series: Geologic Time Periods in the Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display at a visitor center Series: National Park Service Geodiversity Atlas The servicewide Geodiversity Atlas provides information on <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geoheritage-conservation.htm">geoheritage</a> and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geodiversity.htm">geodiversity</a> resources and values all across the National Park System to support science-based management and education. The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1088/index.htm">NPS Geologic Resources Division</a> and many parks work with National and International <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/park-geology.htm">geoconservation</a> communities to ensure that NPS abiotic resources are managed using the highest standards and best practices available. park scene mountains Paleogene Period—66.0 to 23.0 MYA Colorful Paleogene rocks are exposed in the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park and the badlands of Badlands and Theodore Roosevelt national parks. Extraordinary Paleogene fossils are found in Fossil Butte and John Day Fossil Beds national monuments, among other parks. fossil skull with teeth expsoed Cenozoic Era The Cenozoic Era (66 million years ago [MYA] through today) is the "Age of Mammals." North America’s characteristic landscapes began to develop during the Cenozoic. Birds and mammals rose in prominence after the extinction of giant reptiles. Common Cenozoic fossils include cat-like carnivores and early horses, as well as ice age woolly mammoths. fossils on display in a visitor center Scientist Profile: Tom Rodhouse, Ecologist and Project Manager Meet Tom Rodhouse, ecologist for the Upper Columbia Basin Network. Tom studies the plants and animals of our National Parks, and believes we have an important role to play in protecting these special places. Read about his adventures as a field wildlife biologist, and how he got to be where he is today. Biologist smiles by sweeping view of green fields, conifer treetops, and snow-capped mountains. City of Rocks - TOP 10 TIPS Get the most from your City of Rocks visit by using our Top 10 Tips! Granite spires in a dramatic mountainous landscape. City of Rocks Wildlife At first glance, City of Rocks might seem like it would be a tough place for wildlife to survive, but there are many different types of habitats that allow this area to burst with life. Check out this fascinating glimpse into the diverse animal lives that intersect at this little oasis. Watch till the end to see our largest carnivore! Can you name all 11 species in this video? A moose walking along the bank next to a pond. Margaret Frink Margaret Frink, who joined the Californian Gold Rush in the mid-nineteenth century, provides a glimpse of what life was like on the journey west through her meticulously kept diary. A black and white photo of Margaret Frink from the chest up as she looks off to the side. Studying the Past and Predicting the Future Using Rat Nests In the western United States, packrat middens are one of the best tools for reconstructing recent environments and climates. These accumulations of plant fragments, small vertebrate remains, rodent droppings, and other fossils can be preserved for more than 50,000 years. Packrat middens have been found in at least 41 National Park Service units. Photo of a wood rat. Series: Park Paleontology News - Vol. 14, No. 2, Fall 2022 All across the park system, scientists, rangers, and interpreters are engaged in the important work of studying, protecting, and sharing our rich fossil heritage. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/newsletters.htm">Park Paleontology news</a> provides a close up look at the important work of caring for these irreplaceable resources. <ul><li>Contribute to Park Paleontology News by contacting the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/common/utilities/sendmail/sendemail.cfm?o=5D8CD5B898DDBB8387BA1DBBFD02A8AE4FBD489F4FF88B9049&r=/subjects/geoscientistsinparks/photo-galleries.htm">newsletter editor</a></li><li>Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/">Fossils & Paleontology</a> </li><li>Celebrate <a href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/">National Fossil Day</a> with events across the nation</li></ul> Photo of a person sitting while using a laboratory microscope. Series: Geologic Time—Major Divisions and NPS Fossils The National Park System contains a magnificent record of geologic time because rocks from each period of the geologic time scale are preserved in park landscapes. The geologic time scale is divided into four large periods of time—the Cenozoic Era, Mesozoic Era, Paleozoic Era, and The Precambrian. photo of desert landscape with a petrified wood log on the surface Series: Women's History in the Pacific West - Columbia-Pacific Northwest Collection Biographies of women from parks in Washington, Oregon Idaho and far western Montana Map of Washington, Oregon and Idaho