FAQ for Camping Reservations

Reservations are available year-round and same-day in City of Rocks.

City of Rocks.

FAQ – Year-round and Same-day reservations for Campsites:

1. Are reservations required to camp in City of Rocks or Smoky Mountain Campground?
   • Yes. Reservations are now required year-round.
2. Why is City of Rocks and Castle Rocks moving to year-round and same-day reservations?
   • “Reservation only” allows for campers to know they have a campsite before they arrive at the park.
   • This strategy reduces the potential for campsite conflicts that can occur when campers do a “walk-in” on sites that are reserved by someone else.
   • This strategy reduces the paper waste that the parks' generate. No more camping envelopes or daily paper tags on campsites help reduce the waste footprint.
3. How do I make reservations?
   • Reservations can be made at Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (reserveamerica.com) or by calling the reservation line at 888-922-6743.
4. Are there anymore walk-in sites?
   • There are no more walk-in sites. Previously, sites with a letter (C-G) in City of Rocks allowed walk-ins year-round. These are now only available through reservation.
5. What if I don’t have cell service in City, Smoky Mountain, or Almo?
   • It is recommended you make your reservations before leaving home to ensure that you can get an open campsite.
   • WiFi is available 24/7 at the visitor center in Almo. It is broadcast into the grassy area west of the building.
6. Can I find a campsite and set-up in it and then make reservations?
   • No, you must have a reservation before you set up camp.
7. Will visitor center rangers make reservations for me?
   • While the rangers at the visitor center are there to help you if you have any questions or problems on the reservation making process, they cannot make reservations for you.
8. The campgrounds are full, what do I do now?
   • From June to October, the campgrounds are frequently full. There are many options in the surrounding community, including three private campgrounds, many nightly house rentals, and hotel/inn accommodations.
9. How soon in advance can I make reservations?
   • Reservations are still on a 9-month rolling window.

Examples:

• If you want to make reservations for June 15, the earliest you can reserve would be September 15 of the previous year.
• If you want to make reservations for October 15, the earliest you can reserve would be January 15 of that calendar year.
• If you want to camp on December 24, you can make reservations starting on March 24 of that calendar year.

10. How late can I make reservations?

• Since reservations are now allowed same-day, you have until midnight of the day you want to stay to book your reservation.

11. What about the overnight facilities at Castle Rocks?
    • Same-day reservations are not allowed at the Lodge, Bunkhouse, or Yurt in Castle Rocks. This is due to cleaning procedures that are done in-between guests.
12. I think this site is a no-show, can I camp there?
    • If there is a site you would like to reserve that appears to be a no-show, come by the visitor center and we will give the person a courtesy call to see if they are still coming or want to cancel. If they cancel then the site will be available to be reserved. Many folks don't get in until very late the first night, get in late the second day, or even some folks are completely contained within their vehicle, so lack of camping gear in a site isn't always a for sure indication that no one is staying there. As always during the summer, making early reservations are the best way to ensure that you will have a spot!
13. What if I reserve a site and I don't like it?
    • Photos of all the campsites are available on ReserveAmerica and this website. If you get to your reserved site and it wont work for you, please come to the visitor center to see if you can be moved. If you need more information before making your reservation, please call the visitor center at 208-824-5901 and Rangers will let you know what sites best meet you needs.
14. What about winter camping? Will campsites be plowed and stay open year-round? Will you pull me out if i get stuck?
    • City of Rocks staff work really hard in cold and dangerous conditions in the winter to ensure that the road to Bath Rock and the road to Twin Sisters stay passable. Since there aren't a lot of campers in the winter, we would recommend you reserve a site at Bath Rock or Twin Sisters to ensure you can access your campsite. As always, if a visitor gets into a situation they can't get out of, rangers will be there to give a helping hand! Safety is always the number one priority! If you do make a reservation and cannot access your site please come to the visitor center and we will get you moved to a different site without having to pay another reservation fee! Happy camping!
15. Does a person have to have a credit card in order to camp?
    • ! Reserve America accepts checks and money orders for reservations. More info can be found on the Reserve America website or calling the reservation line.
16. So we are now forced to pay the extra reservation fee, even for same day? This only makes camping with my family that much more expensive.
    • There will be the $10 reservation fee on all reservations. City of Rocks understands that this can be a burden on some families. In order to relieve that burden and make sure everyone has access to parks, Idaho State Parks offers a reduced camping fee for those that qualify, which would apply to City. For more information, please call the visitor center
17. Are the equestrian campsites at Smoky Mountain just for equestrian use?
    • At this time the sites are not limited to only folks with livestock. If all the equestrian sites in Smoky are booked there are other possibilities. You can book a regular campsite in Smoky and keep your horses in the corral at Castle Rocks Ranch Unit, you can see if Juniper Group Camp is available in City (it has a 1-acre corral), or there are several private campgrounds in Almo that may accommodate livestock.
18. Can I get notified if there is a cancellation on the dates I want to stay?
    • You can set a notification for cancellation on specific dates through Reserve America. If the dates you want show up as full, look down the reservation page about 1/3 of the way right below campground map. You will see a box that says: "We were unable to find any available sites matching the entered dates and criteria. Create Availability Notifiaction. Get an email alert when there is availability." Click on the "Create Availability Notification link and it will walk you through the rest of the process.