May 20th, 2010 City of Rocks National Reserve: Idaho Camping at its Finest
City of Rocks National Reserve, located in South Central Idaho, is a favorite destination of hikers and rock climber, what with the gigantic boulders measuring more than 100 meter tall all over the landscape. This national reserve is more than just a haven for hikers and climbers, campers can also find great places here for relaxation and recreation, as there are about 50 camping sites all throughout the park, and each of these are perfect places where campers can erect tents for camping overnight. While some are located just along the main road, the majority of the sites are relatively secluded, nestled amidst the boulders and trees of the area.
One of the best sites in City of Rocks is the Bread Loaves Group site. It is named after the loafed appearance of the massive granite formation that hangs over the campsite. Rock climbers from all levels—from beginners to advanced enthusiasts—all favor this area. Another popular campsite here is Twin Sister, which is again named after the enormous granite formation just beside the site. Camping in Twin Sisters places you right in the middle of fantastic-looking granite boulders and spires.
As in any camping situation, one of the foremost dangers in camping is exposure to the elements. The elevation of City of Rocks means there are sometimes rapid weather changes. During summer, sunny days lead into chilly nights, and snow coming down unexpectedly is not uncommon or unheard of. As any good camper knows, excessive wind and heavy rains can also be risky.
Given that the temperatures and weather in City of Rocks are prone to drastic changes, it is important to use good quality tents for camping that are strong and weather resistant. There are different types of tents for camping, and the differences primarily depend on the season, budget, number of campers (solo or group), camping ground, and so on. A happy camper is a well-prepared camper, one who has brought camping equipment that fulfill all his needs—both expected or unexpected.
The tents for camping that you decide to bring in the City of Rocks should be examined carefully beforehand to ensure that it gives sufficient protection and space. After a day of taking in all the wondrous sights in the reserve and engaging in the outdoor activities, you should have a tent that will allow you to stretch out comfortably for a good night’s sleep. If you have a lot of camping equipment with you, a lightweight tent is a good idea to have as it can help reduce the weight that you need to haul around, quite important if you want to move around and stay at different camp sites every night. Every step of the over 22 miles of hiking trails in the national reserve present inspiring vistas like arches, windows, and spectacular overlooks, so it is recommended that you join any of the short day-walks available in the area, if not the all-day hikes.
Finally, the campsites are quite simple, though there are barbeque grills, fire rings, and picnic tables available for the camper. Standard campsite fees are at $12 per night.
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