Hiking

Many miles of hiking trails traverse City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park, leading to arches, windows, dramatic overlooks, and more. Trails vary from leisurly strolls to strenuous slogs. Trail maps can be acquired at the Visitor Center, or check out the maps and trail guides available on our NPS Mobile App.

Read up on hiking safety.

 

For a quick trip, we recommend these relatively short hikes:

Easy

Easy hikes are generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Trails will be mostly level or have a slight incline, generally less than 3 miles. Check individual hikes for more detailed accessibility information.

 

 

If you have more than an hour, or want to leave the crowds, we recommend these longer hikes:

Moderate

A moderate hike is generally suitable for novice hikers who want a bit of a challenge. The terrain may involve a moderate incline and may have some steeper sections. Generally 3 to 5 miles. Shorter hikes in this category will generally be steeper or more difficult terrain. Check individual hikes for more detailed accessibility information.

 

 

Strenuous

Strenuous hikes will generally be challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain will involve a steady and often steep incline, or may be deemed "strenuous" because of elevation gain. Usually 5 to 8 miles.