City of Rocks National Reserve, the California Trail

Visit City of Rocks in Idaho.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Near Almo, Idaho

Significance:

The City of Rocks National Reserve is a National Historic Landmark associated with the mass overland westward migration.

Designation:

National Reserve, National Historic Landmark

Although there may have been some visitation to the area by Europeans and Americans during the fur trade and exploration-era, the establishment of the California Trail through the City of Rocks is what brought the first significant number of European-Americans to what is now the Reserve. 

The City of Rocks National Reserve is a National Historic Landmark associated with the mass overland westward migration. Emigrants traveling the California Trail would reach Circle Creek in the City of Rocks and nooned or camped. Some of these emigrants left their names on the rocks along the trail within the Reserve.

Emigrant Remarks

"Last eve went to the City rocks. They are at the junction of the California & Salt Lake roads. They are white & about 300 ft high running up to a peak. They are composed of a substance resembling salts & are in a state of decomposition. A few more years & then will be leveled with the ground. They look at a distance like a ruined city."

- Lucena Parsons - April 23, 1850

Site Information

Location (Near Almo, Idaho)

Safety Considerations

City of Rocks National Reserve

California National Historic Trail