A weekend road-trip to the City of Rocks—a strange and special place.
Every once in a while, you enter a landscape that seems to transport you to another world. One moment you’re driving through the familiar countryside, and the next, you’re tucked away in a hidden valley that looks like nothing you’ve ever seen. It's strange, otherworldly, and intriguing—and it may be the only one of its kind. One such place is City of Rocks, and what makes this particular swath of terra incognita even more special is its unique combination of recreational opportunity and springtime seasonality.
Yep, “the City,” to those in the know, makes for a great early-season visit, when everything else around the West is still drying out. Tucked away in the mountains near a small town in Idaho called Almo, the City is a mini-mecca for climbing, biking, and aficionados of the weird & wonderful. It's hard to describe, but if you've spent time in the Mojave Desert of southern California, you might have some idea of what it looks like—it's basically the Joshua Tree of the northern Rockies.
Getting there from Bozeman takes about six hours, making it doable for a weekend trip if you leave early on Friday—but ideally, you’ll give yourself an extra day or two to explore. You’ll definitely wish you'd allotted more time once you lay eyes on this bizarre and alien place.
The City's numerous pinnacles create a stunning and picturesque view unlike anywhere else.
Head south on your route of choice, through Big Sky or Ennis, then on through Rexburg and Idaho Falls until you reach "Poky" (that's Pocatello, for non-Idahoans). From there, head south, off the highways and into the hills. You might be thinking, “This doesn’t look like somewhere that offers world-class climbing… I don’t see any granite around here.” Stay the course and trust us—it’s out there.
Eventually, you’ll reach Almo, where there are plenty of amenities to keep you going for as long as you’d like to stay. The Tracy General Store has fuel, supplies, and even offers sandwiches and to-go items, along with its famous ice cream and homemade cookies prepared by the owner’s family. Otherwise, there are a couple of restaurants and other conveniences in town before you make your way into the City of Rocks National Reserve.
There’s really no wrong way to experience it.
As you finally turn in, you’ll crest the last hill and the entire area opens up before you. Suddenly, as far as you can see, rock features cover the landscape. These blob-like formations, or pinnacles, create a stunning and picturesque view unlike anywhere else. As you get closer, they grow larger and larger as you weave your way between them. One of the most prominent, Elephant Rock, towers overhead as you reach the main parking area and step out to take in your surroundings.
From here, the experience is yours to shape. There are plenty of trails for biking, hiking, or running, including a fun and fascinating 12-mile loop that circles the reserve and offers a full tour. Or get up-close-and-personal with the formations through rock climbing or bouldering. Geologists and history buffs alike will find plenty to appreciate, from the remarkable rock features to the area’s connection to the California Trail. It’s one of those places where there’s really no wrong way to experience it.
There are also plenty of hidden gems that are easy to miss if you’re moving too quickly. Local experts can help point you in the right direction. Sawtooth Mountain Guides is one of the only guide services permitted to operate in the City, and they know the place like the back of their hand. Consider booking with them if you want to get the low-down—or the high-up on some rock.
Campsites within the reserve put you just steps from trails and climbing, which is especially unique. It’s hard to say enough about this place. It’s something you really have to see for yourself. So while the trails are drying out in the mountains, head to the City for an unforgettable weekend adventure.
