Smoky Mountain Campground, near Almo, Idaho, is a peaceful spot that offers a great escape for those looking to unwind in nature. With private sites and clean facilities, it’s a solid choice for campers who appreciate a bit of space and tranquility.

The campground features paved sites, which some visitors found to be a nice change from the usual gravel. Clean bathrooms and individual shower rooms are available, making it easy to freshen up after a day of hiking or exploring. One camper noted, “The sites offer privacy from three sides,” which adds to the overall sense of seclusion.

Located just a short drive from the City of Rocks National Preserve, this campground is perfect for those eager to hit the trails and take in stunning views. Reviewers have mentioned the breathtaking scenery and dark skies, making it a fantastic spot for stargazing. Plus, if you’re in the mood for a little local flavor, the nearby Tracy's General Store has gas, a café, and even a vegan burger option.

While some amenities like water may not be available early in the season, the peaceful atmosphere and well-kept grounds make Smoky Mountain Campground a worthwhile destination for your next outdoor adventure.

There are 38 campsites available, 9 of which are pull-through. Sites 11 and 24 are designated ADA accessible. A separate loop with 6 sites accommodates equestrian campers. - water service May-September - 30 amp electrical hook-ups - fire-ring/ground grill - picnic table - partial shade There are flush toilets and showers open May-September and a vault toilet open year-round at the equestrian trail head. An RV dump station is provided near the campground entrance.

Smoky Mountain Campground — Castle Rocks State Park

Join the fun near Almo. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Almo is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Almo. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Almo

The Best Camping Near Almo, Idaho

TTo start off this is an Idaho state park and requires a fee to enter (was $10)  This is a great place to go if theres swarms of climbers at the City of Rocks because of the fee which tends to drive away most dirtbag (endearing term for us) climbers haha.  There are a multitude of fantastic routes there and some good bouldering to be had as well.  Another one of the great things about this park is they have yurt, small house, RV, and tent sites, so no matter how you like to camp theyll be sure to get you into something comfy!

Lots of climbing and more camping options than CofR

Great camp ground close to castle rock and city of rock climbing areas.  We were only able to get a reservation for two nights but would have stayed longer.  Nice spread out sites with medium size trees that provide privacy and some shade.  The weather was great (late July) cooling down in the evening for comfortable tent sleeping.  The showers were a huge bonus with 3 young kids and the paved roads were great for bike riding.

Wish we could have stayed longer

Went down to go climbing.  Wasn't able to get the guidebook due to the visitor center closure (just as the COVID-19 stuff started) but was able to take a nice lap around the main spire and on-sight a few routes for us.  Camped at the main campground for the park (short drive from the climbing).  Campground was surprisingly full for mid-March so we set up the tent at one of the unused "equine sites" away from everybody else so that the dogs could roam a bit.  There is a $5 entry fee and a camping fee as well.  Would definitely go back.

Great spot for climbers!!

Smoky Mountain campground is very close to the entrance of City of Rocks NR and just slightly further is Castle Rocks SP, however, the grounds are managed by the state park. There are some RV/equestrian sites that have 30/50 amp power and water hookups. There is a dump station on the road to the grounds but it was closed for repairs when we visited. There are plenty of pit toilets around the area and the ones we used were quite clean. Spots are mostly back-in but pretty easy access. The camp hosts were very friendly and the camp reservation includes a parking pass for the State Park ($10 value). The RV sites are very private and nicely spread out with pine trees in between. Great views of City of Rocks. Plenty of biking and hiking trails around and TONS of climbing. The visitor center is about 2 miles away and a general store another half mile beyond that. There’s opportunity for gas and food on the way to the grounds (both Albion and Almo have options) but best to get what you need before you leave the major highway. Having hookups at a State Park with such awesome views was sweet and the grounds are very well maintained. Reservations seem hard to come by during the high season.

Killer Spot

We stayed here midway through a two-week adventure visiting national parks out West. This just so happened to be on our route after leaving Glacier, and it ended up being our favorite campground we visited during this journey. 

We had a little trouble finding the campground, but that was because of human error when selecting the route via Google Maps. After stopping and scratching our heads a bit, we figured out our error and easily found our way. We didn’t realize that we had booked an “equestrian site” complete with a horse pen but had some fun with our friends later (good place for corralling the husbands). Our friends were in Site 34, and there was a small trail connecting our two sites. 

We easily set up camp and made a quick meal before touring the campground. It was so quiet that we didn’t think there were any others camping there, so we were surprised during our walk to see so many fellow campers. The sites are HUGE and really offer a great deal of privacy and seclusion.  The only issue we had was that there were so many bugs (gnats and flies)! This forced us inside sooner than we would have liked, but we were tired from the long journey that day anyway. We went to bed early and opened the blinds on the front stargazing window of our Lance. The view was breathtaking!!! It was such a clear night (and so dark in the campground) that we could see hundreds of stars and fell asleep looking at them. We awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the distant mountains. It was the most beautiful view from our trailer to date! 

We begrudgingly left Castle Rocks after only one night wishing that we could have stayed much longer. If we are ever fortunate enough to be in the area again, we will definitely revisit this campground . . . hopefully for a longer stay next time!


Stargazing and Seclusion 

May 9-13, 2019 Nice park. Site 16 had electric and water. Very clean PRIVATE showers. Verizon 3G was poor. Elevation 5,567. No TV service through antenna. Very nice hike. Rock City Restaurant has good pizza. Tracy's General Store serves meals, has groceries, ice cream, showers, mail service and accepts UPS.

Castle Rock State Park

All sites were quite nice, many pull-through, and most with shade and lots of privacy.  All sites have hookups. Very easy access to City of Rocks.

Beautiful spot

The park is beautiful, and the sites are well-maintained. But we were disappointed to find that all the water and restroom facilities were closed during the winter.

Would absolutely recommend the park, and would gladly stay here during the season. But if you're camping off-season, you may as well go into one of the many cheaper and more interesting primitive sites inside the main part of the park. Lots of options!

Nice sites, but primitive off-season

The relationship between City of Rocks National Preserve and Castle Rocks State Park is still not clear to me as this campground appears on the National Park Service website, although it is an Idaho State Park. That said, the park rangers seem to work cooperatively. This campground is delightful. Located about a 7-mile drive/walk to the entrance of City of Rocks, Smoky Mountain Campground is situated above the valley providing a wonderful view from many sites including space #19 where I parked my campervan.  I believe the walking distance to the reserve could be shorter by taking any of the hiking trails from the campgrounds rather than going along the paved roads which first go away from the City of Rocks then back up again, making a big "U". 

  

During my one-night stay in February, water, showers and bathrooms in the campground were closed for the winter season. A very clean, pit toilet is located in the equestrian parking lot across from the campground entrance. The distance from the campsites to the bathroom will vary from quite close to about 1/4 mile max. And during the winter season, there won't be much competition for the spaces close to the bathroom, as I was the sole user during my time there. 

  

In addition to the breathtaking views, the sites offer privacy from 3 sides though all face the loop access road. There are picnic tables, fire rings and electrical power. I did not note if water was available as it would have been shut off in February in any event.  There is a dump station about 1 mile down the road toward the exit. I do not know if it is open in the winter.

  

Check-in during the off-season is accomplished by envelope collected at the entrance or directly to the ranger who came by in the morning to check-in. The rate was $27 per night. Definitely worth the money to stay in this tranquil campground so close to the magnificent City of Rocks.

Beautiful location on the edge of City of Rocks National Preserve

Gorgeous campground. Very private campsites-we has #19. Have both power and water hook up which make it a little pricey. 

Nestled in the trees...

Caution: Save yourself some time, dust and frustration and enter Smoky Mountain Campground into your GPS and not Castle Rock State Park like we did. Haha. 

We were so surprised when we got to this campground. Private sites. Clean. Paved, not gravel. Not the most level we've been in but totally workable. Bathrooms were clean. Men and women's toliets are on one side of the building and individual shower rooms on the other. All handicapped accessible and plenty of places to put you stuff so it stays dry. 

Also, DARK skies!!! A star gazer's dream.

Be sure you have gas before Sunday rolls around because the one place to get gas, Tracy's General Store,  is not open on Sundays.  Tracy's also has a nice Cafe.  They even offered a VEGAN burger. Progressive in this outof the way spoy.   The pizza at City of Rocks Pizza is supposed to be really good, but only offered outdoor seating.  It was 95 degrees, so we passed.  But, they do serve beer and have a small grocery.

Private with views of the mountains 

Caution: Save yourself some time, dust and frustration and enter Smoky Mountain Campground into your GPS and not Castle Rock State Park like we did. Haha. 

We were so surprised when we got to this campground. Private sites. Clean. Paved, not gravel. Not the most level we've been in but totally workable. Bathrooms were clean. Men and women's toliets are on one side of the building and individual shower rooms on the other. All handicapped accessible and plenty of places to put you stuff so it stays dry. There is also an equestrian loop with individual corrals. 

Also, DARK skies!!! A star gazer's dream.

Be sure you have gas before Sunday rolls around because the one place to get gas, Tracy's General Store,  is not open on Sundays.  Tracy's also has a nice Cafe.  They even offered a VEGAN burger. Progressive in this outof the way spoy.   The pizza at City of Rocks Pizza is supposed to be really good, but only offered outdoor seating.  It was 95 degrees, so we passed.  But, they do serve beer and have a small grocery.

Caution:  Save yourself some time, dust and frustration and enter Smoky Mountain Campground into your GPS and not Castle Rock State Park like we did.  Haha. 

We were so surprised when we got to this campground. Private sites.   Clean.  Paved,  not gravel.  Not the most level we’ve been in but totally workable. 

Bathrooms were clean.  Toliets are on one side of the building and individual shower rooms on the other.  All handicapped accessible and plenty of places to put you stuff so it stays dry.  

Also, DARK Skies!!!  A star gazer’s dream.  

Be sure you have gas before Sunday rolls around because the  one station around is closed on Sunday.   The next closest one is 1 hr away.  Speaking of, the Tracys General Store in Almo is really nice.  Gas, Cafe (even offered a vegan burger!) and other general supplies.  Rock City Pizza, just down the way, also has groceries.  

We got caught in 3 different  local cattle drives on the roads.  It was so cool to watch real cowboys at work.   Oh, and I even saw a jack rabbit!  They are a hoot!

A beautiful surprise in the desert!

First trip to this campground and we really liked it.  Price was reasonable for electricity and water.  Dump station nearby.  We have bigger RV so some of the spots would not work.  Make sure you use the filter to eliminate those with a smaller driveway.  The restrooms were clean with nice showers.  This campground is 40 miles or so from the interstate so make sure you are well provisioned before you arrive.

Nice State Park

Excellent campground. Quiet and out of the way. Good privacy and clean and well kept facilities. It’s in an out of the way location which is one of the things we love about it but may not be everyone’s cup of tea. We very much enjoyed our stay there.

Great camping experience!

Close to City of Rocks and the small town of Almo.  Hot springs in Almo.  Small market in town which makes their own ice cream and has a little restaurant across the street but not much in the way of groceries.  Couple other restaurants in town but they were not open while we were there.  Also water not yet turned on in the campground so bring your own water if you are coming through early in the season.  But it was quiet and we were able to explore and hike without running into many people

Photos of Smoky Mountain Campground — Castle Rocks State Park

Real photos from real campers