Under a canopy of stars, a glowing tent at City of Rocks National Reserve offers a front-row seat to the Milky Way and the serenity of the wilderness.
NPS
Plan Your Stay: Camping at City of Rocks
Camping at City of Rocks National Reserve is an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty. Pitch your tent under the cool shade of aspens, junipers, mountain mahogany, or pines, and spend your nights surrounded by towering granite spires and breathtaking star-filled skies.
Reservations are Required
Reservations are required year-round for all campsites, including tent-only, RV, group, and equestrian sites. Walk-ins are not permitted.
69 standard campsites and 3 group sites with easy access to hiking trails and scenic vistas.
Each campsite includes a fire ring/ground grill and a picnic table.
Clean vault toilets are centrally located.
Seasonal drinking water is available at Bath Rock.
Important Notes:
Group and equestrian site reservations must be made in advance, and specific sites like Juniper require direct contact with the Visitor Center for availability and details.
Backcountry camping requires a special permit, which can also be arranged through the reservation page.
Recreational Vechicles
Many campsites within the Reserve do not allow recreational vehicles (RVs). An RV is defined as any vehicle designed or converted for recreation, camping, or sleeping purposes.
Camping Options at City of Rocks
Tent-Only Campsites
For a traditional camping experience, tent-only sites are available at the following locations:
01, 02, 08, 09, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 31, 32, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 55, 58, 59, 60, 61, D, and E.
Small RV Campsites (Up to 18 ft)
For visitors traveling with smaller recreational vehicles, the following campsites accommodate RVs up to 18 feet:
03, 04, 06, 19, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 50, and 56.
Medium RV Campsites (Up to 28 ft)
Medium-sized RVs (up to 28 feet) are welcome at these sites:
05, 07, 11, 12, 13, 14, 20, 22, 33, 34, 35, 38, 46, 47, 51, 57, 62, 63, 64, C, F, and G.
Specialized Camping Options
Backcountry Camping
For a more remote and adventurous experience, City of Rocks offers designated backcountry camping in the Indian Grove area. Permits are required for backcountry camping. Visit the backcountry camping page for more information.
Group Campsites
Ideal for larger groups (up to 25 people and seven motor vehicles, including RVs), group campsites are located at:
Twin Sisters
Bread Loaves
Juniper (Reservations for Juniper must be made by contacting the Visitor Center).
Equestrian Camping
Juniper Group Site: This site includes a one-acre corral, standard campsite amenities, and a vault toilet. Please note, there is no running water on-site. Visitors should bring their own water or arrange for water delivery for a fee.
Smoky Mountain Campground: This equestrian-friendly campground features six sites with water, electricity, paved camping spurs, corrals, and showers. For more details, refer to the Smoky Mountain section.
Smoky Mountain Campground
Smoky Mountain Campground is conveniently located just two miles away from the Visitor Center and services in the town of Almo.
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. Each site includes:
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.
City of Rocks is committed to preserving its exceptional starry skies and supporting nocturnal wildlife by minimizing artificial light pollution. Inside the Reserve, no artificial lighting is used. Outside the Reserve, administrative buildings and overnight facilities are equipped with dark-sky-friendly fixtures. These fixtures follow principles of responsible outdoor lighting, designed to reduce light pollution and protect the natural nighttime environment.
As a visitor, you can play an important role in maintaining this precious natural darkness. When camping in City of Rocks, please limit your light use, especially avoiding excessively bright lights that shine upward or disturb others. To support "Dark Hours" and ensure everyone can enjoy the night skies, extinguish all unnecessary lighting by 10 PM.
Principles for Responsible Outdoor Lighting
1. Light Only What You Need:
Use light only for specific tasks or areas where it is absolutely necessary, such as finding your way or performing a task.
2. Shield Lights and Direct Them Downward:
Avoid pointing lights toward the sky. Use shields or fixtures to direct light downward and reduce glare, illuminating only the intended area.
3. Use the Lowest Light Level Necessary:
Choose light sources with low lumen levels suitable for your task. Brighter is not always better, especially when preserving the night.
4. Install Motion Detectors and Timers:
Use motion sensors, switches, or timers to control outdoor lighting so it is only on when needed, minimizing unnecessary use.
5. Opt for Warm-Colored Lights:
Select lights with a color temperature below 3000 Kelvin. These warm-colored lights emit less blue light, which is less disruptive to the environment and wildlife.
Camping Rules at City of Rocks and Smoky Mountain Campgrounds
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, please follow these camping rules:
General Guidelines
Pay Fees: Fees must be paid online or by calling the reservation line.
Length of Stay: Camping is limited to 14 days within a 30-day period.
Pets: Pets must be leashed at all times and not left unattended. Please clean up after your pets.
Firewood: Gathering firewood is prohibited. Bring your own firewood or purchase locally.
Use Established Areas: Use only established campsites, tent pads, and fire rings.
Fireworks: Fireworks are strictly prohibited.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Please respect your fellow campers during these hours.
Campsite Limits
City of Rocks: Each campsite is limited to 8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents.
Smoky Mountain: The same limits apply—8 people, 2 vehicles, and 2 tents per site.
Check-In and Check-Out Times
Check-in: 2:00 PM
Check-out: 1:00 PM
Pack It In, Pack It Out
City of Rocks is a trash-free Reserve. All visitors are required to pack out their trash.
Additional Vehicle and Tent Rules
Only one camping unit with built-in sleeping accommodations (motorized or towed) is allowed per site.
All vehicles and camping equipment must fit within the designated campsite boundaries.
At Smoky Mountain Campground, tents must fit on designated tent pads.
All vehicles must pay the Motor Vehicle Entrance Fee (MVEF) or display an Idaho Parks Passport sticker.
Equestrian Rules:
Help us maintain scenic quality and natural resources by adhering to the following:
Do not tie stock directly to trees, please use the corrals
Do not take stock animals through the main camping loop in Smoky Mountain
Use weed-free hay or pellets
Remove manure and excess hay from sites
If possible use pellets instead of hay or suspend hay in netting
Keep horses away from potable water spigots and electrical pedestals
