Trails in City Of Rocks National Reserve

Archery Course

1.1 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 5,754 ft–5,879 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Around the Rock Trail

0.5 mi loop · about 100 ft of climbing · 6,018 ft–6,098 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Backyard Boulders Cutoff

0.1 mi one way · 40 ft of descent · 6,046 ft–6,085 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Backyard Boulders Trail

1.4 mi loop · about 200 ft of climbing · 5,934 ft–6,130 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Bath Rock loop

0.3 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 6,443 ft–6,517 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Beef Jello

0.3 mi one way · 200 ft of descent · 6,269 ft–6,451 ft · earth surface · hiking

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BL East Approach

0.3 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 6,772 ft–6,893 ft · earth surface · hiking

Picnic areas

Along the way Emery Pass Picnic Area

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Box Top trail

1.2 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 350 ft of descent · 5,989 ft–6,263 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Bracksiek`s Pillar Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 300 ft of climbing · 5,945 ft–6,199 ft · earth surface · hiking

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bread loaves west approach

6,841 ft–6,842 ft · earth surface · hiking

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bumblie trail

1.1 mi one way · about 250 ft of climbing · 6,084 ft–6,313 ft · earth surface · hiking

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bumblie wall-transformer-cannibal

0.1 mi one way · 10 ft of descent · 6,114 ft–6,126 ft · earth surface · hiking

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buzzard perch

0.2 mi one way · about 80 ft of climbing · 6,583 ft–6,665 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Castle Rock Overlook

10 ft of descent · 6,095 ft–6,107 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Castle Rocks Trail

4.3 mi one way · about 900 ft of climbing · 5,808 ft–6,706 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Circle Creek Canyon Trail

1.6 mi one way · 250 ft of descent · 5,561 ft–5,795 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Comp wall Trail

0.9 mi one way · about 500 ft of climbing · 5,937 ft–6,314 ft · earth surface · hiking

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creekside towers trail

0.5 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 6,404 ft–6,531 ft · earth surface · hiking

Hike Creekside Towers Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · dogs allowed

Start Bath Rock Parking Area

Staff choice for Best Family-Friendly Hike

The Creekside Towers trailhead is located at the northern end of the Bath Rock parking lot. Creekside Towers is an out-and-back 1.2-mile trail, although nearby trails (such as Stairways or South Fork Circle Creek trails) could make for a longer and more adventurous loop. The trail’s gentle grade of 122 feet relative elevation is suitable for families with children or anyone looking for an easier hike in the Reserve. In spring and early summer enjoy the running creek and small cascading waterfall. Outstanding scenery, sculpted granite pinnacles, and a diversity of plants and animals await you.

Get more out of the Creekside towers hike with the guide in the Self-Guided Tours section of the City of Rocks NPS Mobile App or pick up a trail guide at our Visitor Center.

Accessibility This trail has a gentle grade. The first section of trail is wide and has relatively smooth terrain. However, farther on the trail does have some rougher, uneven surfaces.

This hike on nps.gov

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Drilling Fields

0.1 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 6,382 ft–6,423 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Eagle Grove Trail

0.1 mi one way · 5,938 ft–5,943 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Eagle Rock GroveTrail

0.6 mi one way · about 80 ft of climbing · 5,866 ft–5,951 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Edward's homestead trail

0.1 mi one way · about 30 ft of climbing · 6,168 ft–6,200 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Fence line Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 20 ft of descent · 5,918 ft–5,966 ft · earth surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

flaming rock trail

0.7 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 250 ft of descent · 6,071 ft–6,304 ft · earth surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Geo watt Trail

1.3 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 6,093 ft–6,319 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Geological Trail

0.6 mi one way · about 100 ft of climbing · 6,167 ft–6,295 ft · earth surface · hiking

Hike the Geological Interpretive Trail the Park Service's write-up

1-2 Hours · dogs allowed

Start The trail starts from Circle Creek Overlook Parking Lot

A self-guided journey to discovering the geology at City of Rocks National Reserve.

Have you ever visited City of Rocks and wondered, “How did this happen?” or “Why do the rocks look like this?”

The 1 mile Geological Interpretive Trail is the perfect short hike to:

see fascinating geological formations up close

examine the difference between the Green Creek Complex and Almo Pluton

learn about the geologic history of this landscape

There are 12 interpretive stations along the trail, find the Geological Interpretive Trail Guide in the Self-Guided Tours section of the City of Rocks NPS Mobile App or pick up a guide booklet for $5 at our Visitor Center.

Accessibility This 1 mile trail is over bare ground with a gentle grade, gaining 160 feet in elevation.

This hike on nps.gov

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Gila Wall

0.3 mi one way · about 100 ft of climbing · 5,974 ft–6,086 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Graham creek

0.2 mi one way · 70 ft of descent · 7,188 ft–7,257 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Heffalump Trail

0.2 mi one way · 50 ft of descent · 5,942 ft–6,000 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Indian Grove

1.0 mi one way · 350 ft of descent · 6,839 ft–7,187 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Indian Grove trail

1.9 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 800 ft of descent · 7,195 ft–7,870 ft · earth surface · hiking

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king on the throne

0.4 mi one way · 150 ft of descent · 6,647 ft–6,812 ft · earth surface · hiking

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NFCC

3.8 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 1,500 ft of descent · 6,128 ft–7,243 ft · earth surface · hiking

Picnic areas

Along the way Emery Pass Picnic Area

Hike the City of Rocks Loop the Park Service's write-up

4-6 Hours · dogs allowed

Strenuous – 6.8 miles

From sagebrush flats to high country groves, this trail takes you deep into the “City.” This remote loop hike is a ranger favorite. The combination of pine trees, rock formations, and epic views offer a surprise at every turn of the trail. The loop can be accessed from several trailheads along the main road. The Emery Creek Picnic area is a great starting point, the North Fork Circle Creek trailhead is located across the road from the parking area. About 1 mile in check out the spectacular view from the overlook (near the gate). Shortly after beginning the descent down toward North Creek you will come across North Fork Spring. As you make your way down toward the basin, watch for the trail to cut back right (west) along the base of the impressive Stripe Rock formation. Continue past Lost Arrow Spire on the Bumblie Trail, then join South Fork Circle Creek Trail heading back up to complete the loop. North Fork Circle Creek and South Fork Circle Creek are abbreviated on many trail signs as N.F.C.C and S.F.C.C.

Accessibility This trail is narrow and steep in places over uneven terrain.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Over the Rock Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 6,023 ft–6,208 ft · earth surface · hiking

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picnic area connector

5,967 ft–5,974 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Pictographs Trail

0.1 mi one way · 5,993 ft–6,003 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Private Idaho trail

0.3 mi one way · 150 ft of descent · 6,548 ft–6,697 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Ranch road trail

0.7 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 5,894 ft–6,047 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Retracement Trail

2.4 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 450 ft of descent · 5,806 ft–6,201 ft · earth surface · hiking

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SFCC

2.3 mi one way · about 1,000 ft of climbing · 6,001 ft–6,951 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Site 18 Trail

0.2 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 6,140 ft–6,288 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Skyline

1.4 mi one way · about 750 ft of climbing · 7,878 ft–8,657 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Slabbage Patch Approach

0.1 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 6,132 ft–6,263 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Smoky Mountain Connector

1.2 mi one way · about 400 ft of climbing · 5,762 ft–6,153 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Stairways Trail

0.3 mi one way · about 250 ft of climbing · 6,159 ft–6,429 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Steinfells Dome

0.6 mi one way · 600 ft of descent · 6,196 ft–6,815 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Stripe Rock Loop Trail

2.4 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 300 ft of descent · 6,026 ft–6,178 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Sweet 17 Trail

30 ft of descent · 6,113 ft–6,148 ft · earth surface · hiking

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TACO Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 100 ft of climbing · 6,001 ft–6,120 ft · earth surface · hiking

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Tea Kettle Trail

2.5 mi one way · about 60 ft of climbing · 700 ft of descent · 6,194 ft–6,860 ft · earth surface · hiking

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window rock trail

0.1 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 6,365 ft–6,384 ft · earth surface · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end