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Begin your virtual tour of City of Rocks National Reserve by clicking on any of the above entry points,
and follow roads or trails through a network of linked images.
Rising from the grass and sagebrush of the deserts of southern Idaho, the Albion Mountains rise to elevations above 10,000 feet. At the southern tip of this range, an extensive display of granite outcroppings cover the mountain side. Travelers on the California Trail, passing this landmark in 1849, named it the "Silent City of Rocks', conjuring up images of a ruined city of towers and castles, cathedrals and temples.
City of Rocks became a National Reserve in 1988, a unit of the National Park Service, after being a National Natural Landmark since 1964. It is also an Idaho State Park, who actually administers the site. It covers 14,107 acres and is visited by 80,000 people annually.
The stone formations, called batholiths, were formed deep in the earth's crust when molten magma pushed its way up into the crust, but without breaking through to form a volcano. The magma then solidified into granite and, later on, was lifted up in the mountains and exposed by erosion.
The park is a popular rock-climbing venue, and also provides opportunities for hiking, camping and picnicing.
Streets and other things you can see.
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