Day Trip to City of Rocks

Last weekend, I spent a day exploring south-central Idaho. Even though I grew up only a few hours away (and drive through it every time I visit my hometown), I've never actually stopped to explore the area until now. You might think it's all potato fields down here, and while there are a fair share of potato fields (though I didn't see any potato cellars), there's a lot more to this area than farmland!

I visited City of Rocks National Reserve, which is an area near the border of Utah filled with granite spires and, therefore, known for its rock climbing. I'm not a climber in the slightest, but I enjoyed romping around on the boulders and taking in the amazing geology. (Apologies in advance if you don't think rocks are cool; this post is quite rock photo-heavy!) A stop was also required in Almo, Idaho, to check out the visitor's center and stamp my national parks passport book. I learned that there were many more wagon trails that led to the Pacific from the East Coast than the Oregon Trail; I only learned about the Oregon Trail in school (or so I remember). The California Trail is how they discovered the City of Rocks!

I also had to make a stop at Castle Rocks State Park, which is just north of Almo and features more beautiful granite features. Mt. Harrison is also a short drive up past Pomerelle Mountain Resort. There's a wildfire lookout at the top of the 9,280-foot peak with near-panoramic views of the farmland below. Hope you enjoy the photos! :)

Window Arch

Replica California Trail wagons in Almo, Idaho

Castle Rocks State Park

Wildfire lookout at the top of Mt. Harrison