Granite spires of the City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho

ROUTE

City of Rocks Backcountry Byway: Oakley to Almo via the Basin

The granite detour: 48 km from Oakley across the basin to City of Rocks National Reserve — short, empty and unlike anywhere else in Idaho.

scenic-road48 km3.2 hmoderate

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MattyMtn / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

ABOUT THIS ROUTE

The route in detail

The City of Rocks Backcountry Byway leaves the Oakley valley and climbs through the Basin into a hidden plaza of granite spires, where two-billion-year-old rock towers over the ruts of the old California Trail. Emigrants camped here and carved names into the stone; climbers now come from everywhere for the same domes. Short enough for an afternoon add-on to the Twin Falls or Craters ride, empty enough to feel like a secret.

PLAN RESPONSIBLY

Season & safety

Seasonal conditions

April to November — the basin closes with snow; morning frost possible into May.

Key hazards

Gravel corners in the reserve — ride them like gravel, not pavement.
Livestock gates across the basin road; close every one behind you.
No fuel or water between Oakley and Almo.

Required gear

Certified motorcycle helmet and full protective riding gear.
Water and a snack — nothing is sold inside the reserve.

MAP & ROUTE

On the atlas

Explore on the full atlas

Elevation1,915 m high point1,395 m low point796 m total climbing15% steepest stretch (km 37.4)

DESTINATIONS

Places on this route

All destinations

City of Rocks

A silent skyscraper city of granite in the Raft River hills — 2.5-billion-year-old towers where the California Trail emigrants carved their names and climbers worship today.

South Central Idaho

Twin Falls & the Snake River Canyon

The Magic Valley capital on the Snake: Shoshone Falls’ 212-foot curtain, BASE jumpers off the Perrine Bridge, and the canyon Evel Knievel tried to jump.

South Central Idaho

INTERESTS