Snowshoe or X Country Ski the City of Rocks for Epic Views

Ready to cross snow shoeing or x-country skiing off your bucket list? The City of Rocks National Reserve is the place to do so!

The City of Rocks is a perfect trip destination when staying in Twin Falls, Burley, Rupert, or Albion. Snowshoe City of Rocks to make memories, and see stunning landscapes. Find more information from the National Park Service here: https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm

Follow our snowshoeing guide lead by a local, Wallace Keck.

Step One:

If you do not have snowshoes, head to the City of Rocks’ Visitor Center to rent. Bring your snow boots to be fitted correctly. A pair of snowshoes costs $10, and can be rented Tuesday – Saturday. The easy-to-wear shoes are extremely helpful when navigating the snow covered trails. You can rent X-Country Skis or Snowshoes in Twin Falls from the College of Southern Idaho.

Step Two:

Once you have your gear, drive the scenic road into the park. If it is completely snowed in, take those X-Country skies out and enjoy skiing the loop road through the park! A suggested area to park if the road is accessible is the Creekside Towers Trailhead. The roads leading here are tended to, and are easy to navigate despite the large amount of snow! Creekside Towers’ parking lot is also plowed. It is recommended to bring a 4WD or an AWD vehicle in case the roads are slippery or have drifted.

Step Three:

The hike leads down to a creek, through the trees, and around giant boulders. The rock formations are unique and funky, some with frozen waterfalls all along the sides. The path has some steep areas, so use your snowshoes to dig into the snow for grip. The loop will bring you back to the vehicles after about two hours. The time allows many photo stops along the way.

Step Four:

After the Creekside Towers adventure, stop at Window Arch to see an arch tall enough to stand in! Campsite 33 and Campsite 23 showcase amazing views of the park, and have hiking trails as well. The ledge can be slippery, so be careful when climbing!

Step Five:

Grab gas and snacks on your way out of the City at Tracy’s General Store, in Almo. Refuel your body with an amazing dinner at the Almo Creek Outpost. Craving Pizza instead? Head to Rock City Pizza! End the night with a hot spring soak at Durfee Hot Springs, and stay at the Almo Inn for peaceful rooms and views of your day’s adventure.

Enjoy your snowshoeing adventure accompanied with beautiful views and the perfect photo opportunities!