Indian Grove Backcountry Use

Backcountry camping is available in the designated Indian Grove area within City of Rocks National Reserve. Permits are required for backcountry camping and must be approved prior to your arrival. Please allow for one week for permit review. Permits submitted after one week before arrival date will not be considered.

Please follow these steps to submit your form:

1. Download the Backcountry Use Permit here.
2. Fill out the permit form. Digitally filled forms are preferred, but you can also print, fill it out, then scan your completed form.
3. The file you submit must be legible in order to be considered. Email the completed permit as an attachment to: [e-mail]
4. The permit will be reviewed, then if approved a signed copy will be returned to you.

Rules & Guidelines

In order to preserve the backcountry experience for everyone, permits are limited to 8 people per group, up to 3 groups or 12 people total at any given time.

Hiking is generally permitted anywhere in the reserve; however, special restrictions apply in both the National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park for mountain biking, horseback riding, and ATV travel. Rules and guidelines for the use of state and federal lands managed and administered by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) are generally as follows:

Camping & Personal Hygiene

• A permit is required to camp in the Indian Grove site. Fill out the permit form below or get one from the Visitor Center in Almo, during normal business hours at no charge.
• Practice “leave no trace” by packing out all waste material such as toilet paper. Dispose of human waste by digging a narrow hole 6"-8" deep at least 150 feet from water or campsites. Cover with leaves and soil.
• Do not use soap or detergents to wash yourself, clothing, or dishes within 150 feet of natural surface water.

Fires & Cooking

• Fires must be built in existing metal fire rings; however, cooking with a camp stove is safer, more efficient, and ecologically preferred.
• Cutting standing trees or breaking attached branches (dead or alive) is prohibited. Fallen materials may be gathered for use.
• Extinguish all fires with water and stir ashes until they are cold to the touch.
• Pack out what you pack in. Practice "leave no trace" camping and hiking.
• Drinking and cooking water should be boiled for 5 minutes, treated with purifying tablets or filtered through filtration device to prevent instances of giardia infection.

Plants, Wildlife, and Artifacts

• Observe and enjoy wildlife and plants but leave them undisturbed.
• Removing plants, rocks, fossils or artifacts from the reserve is prohibited; but berries and pine nuts may be collected for personal consumption.
• If archaeological or historical items are encountered, do not pick them up or disturb the location. If possible, take a picture and report the location to a park official.
• The storage of personal property on state land is prohibited.

Contact us with any questions or stop by the Visitor Center before heading out.