Castle Rocks, nestled in Big Cove, at the base of the 10,339-foot Cache Peak, offers diverse recreational opportunities in a magnificent setting. It is a place where solitude, natural beauty, and ranching heritage combine to enrich the visitor's experience. The park is located two miles northwest of the village of Almo in southern Cassia County, Idaho.
Until 1999, the 1,240-acre ranch was privately owned. The Conservation Fund, and the Access Fund, purchased the property to be placed in public ownership. Congress passed the Castle Rock Ranch Acquisition Act on November 1, 2000. An additional 200 acres, connecting the Ranch Unit to the base of Cache Peak, was purchased in 2007. Today, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR), Bureau of Land Management, and the USDA Forest Service, manage the Castle Rocks area in partnership.
Visitors may see remnants of the ranch that was first homesteaded in 1888. The irrigation ditches and pasture are still in use today. Castle Rocks is a special place where time stands still and the user is a respectful guest.
The Park Today
Castle Rocks State Park is now on Facebook!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/CastleRocksStatePark
May 16, 2012
Don't miss out on our Wildflower Walks this Saturday -May 19. Here is a list of where to meet and what time. See you there!!!
9:00 a.m. - Seceret Spring Walk - Sometimes flowers are where you least expect them, but our guides will tease them out on this half-mile, 2 hours, leisurely walk. Meet at the Stines Creek Picnic Area, Castle Rocks Ranch Unit.
2:00 p.m. - Creekside Towers Delight - High in the central "City" spring is just starting to display. We will hike 1.5 miles from Bath Rock to Parking Lot Rock and back in search of early blooms - including the typically abundant Spring Beauty and the oddly- shaped and uncommon Steershead. Bring your camera!!!
7:00 p.m. - Smoky Mountain Wildflowers - Smoky Mountain is famous for its Pinyon-Juniper Forests, but what's blooming beneath? Meet at the Equestrian Day-Use Parking Area and Trailhead for this leisurely 1/2 mile evening stroll.
Check out the "EVENTS" section for a full list of all upcoming activities.
The Lodge at Castle Rock Ranch is available for rent, as well as two yurts (Pinyon and Sage), at our Smoky Mountain Campground. Coming soon - The Bunk House!!!!
For reservations: reserveamerica.com or call 1-888-922-6743.
Beginning April 16, the Visitor Center will be open 7 days a week (including holidays) from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. The water will be turned back on April 19. Park rangers are on patrol or on call 24/7, and numbers are posted on all bulletin boards for emergencies. The park is open every day of the year.
Lodging, dining, camping supplies, gasoline, diesel, hot springs, ATM, and internet service are locally available.
One of Idaho's newest state parks features giant granite spires known collectively as Castle Rocks. Congress authorized the National Park Service to purchase Castle Rock Ranch in November 2000. the Park Service exchanged the ranch for land owned by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation inside Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. The exchange was completed in 2004. Some of the geologic features are outside the park, but within the Castle Rocks Interagency Recreation Area. The department has partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service to manage recreation throughout the Castle Rocks geologic area.
What to See
The 1,240-acre ranch includes examples of early 20th Century ranching structures, irrigated pasture and striking scenery. Some spires rival nearby City of Rocks National Reserve, and offer exceptional rock climbing (click here for climbing guides to Zone 1 -10MB file, and Zone 2 -15MB file). Other recreational opportunities include picnicking, hiking, equestrian trails, and wildlife viewing. Mule deer, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and the state’s first recorded ringtail are found here. Bird watching is superb, with nesting populations of common snipe, sandhill crane and sage grouse frequently encountered.
The park also protects some of the most pristine archeological sites in southern Idaho. Evidence suggests that Castle Rocks was favored by different cultures over the previous 2,470 years. Portions of the park are included in the City of Rocks National Historic Landmark.
The image below provides a 360 degree view of the park. Left click to move within the image. Pressing the shift key will allow you to zoom in. Ctrl allows you to zoom out.
Camping
There is primitive camping available nearby in the City of Rocks National Reserve.
What to Expect
The park currently operates from 7 am to 10 pm. A motor vehicle entrance fee is charged. Maps, brochures, guidebooks and souvenirs are available at the Visitor Center located in Almo.