These climbing areas are jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.
There are hundreds of rock climbs from moderate to severe in difficulty and from one pitch to six pitches in length, though most are shorter. The climbing is on wildly weathered granite spires, knobs, walls and slabs of some of the oldest exposed rock in North America, rock legendary for its quality.
“The City”, as it is know in climbing vernacular, is described by one guidebook as being “in the middle of nowhere”, but once you reach it most routes are close to the car. The most remote may require half an hour or more of walking through beautiful, high-desert country. It is at 7,000 feet in elevation and is best for climbing between April 1 and October 1. It can be very hot in mid-summer, but enjoyable climbing is easily found by following the shade.
We usually camp in one of the 60 designated campsites in the City. A limited amount of lodging, hot springs with three pools of different temperatures, a grocery store, showers, a gas station, two restaurants, and a pay telephone at the Park Headquarters, are all located in the town of Almo, a short drive from the climbing area. We recommend you spend at least three days at City of Rocks. The trip for Jackson takes about six hours. Rates do not include food, transportation, or campsite fees.
