Primitive camping near Almo, Idaho places campers at elevations between 5,500 and 7,000 feet amid granite rock formations dating back 28 million years. The high desert climate creates stark temperature contrasts, with summer days reaching 90°F while nights can drop below 50°F. Fall camping offers colorful aspen displays along higher elevation sites, though early season snowfall can occur as early as October.
What to do
Rock climbing access: Several dispersed sites outside City of Rocks National Reserve provide free base camps for climbers. City of Rocks Dispersed offers "Basic BLM land, dispersed camping about 2mi outside the City of Rocks on the Bread Loaves side, perfect for rock climbers. At least 3 rock fire pits spaced out for several different groups with plenty of room and flat areas for tents."
Waterfall swimming: During summer months, the Snake River gorge at Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed creates natural swimming holes. "Swimming in the pools near the waterfall made the trek so worth it," reports one visitor, while another notes "Great little trail along the river and falls. Perfect after a long day of driving."
Night sky observation: The Almo area receives minimal light pollution outside town centers. One camper at City of Rocks noted "The park is a designated dark sky park, which is cool, but from our site (#63) the lights from the town of Oakley were pretty bright on the horizon, though the stars in the sky were still amazing."
Wildlife watching: Early mornings offer the best wildlife viewing opportunities. Campers regularly report sightings of mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and numerous bird species. "We saw at least 4 rabbits and a dozen different bird species during our weekend stay," notes a recent visitor.
What campers like
Distance between sites: Many dispersed areas provide sufficient spacing for privacy. At Lower Goose Creek Reservoir, campers appreciate that "the campgrounds are right on the reservoir and open and spacious. It's a great spot to fish all day, light a campfire and gaze under the stars."
Budget-friendly alternatives: Free BLM sites offer economical options compared to developed campgrounds. One visitor to City of Rocks Dispersed mentioned "Nice large open area to camp outside the park, can get a bit windy as so open but much better than paying a lot for the campgrounds in city of rocks."
Fishing access: Multiple camping areas provide direct lake or river access. A camper at Cauldron Linn reports "Great fishing, caught at least 4 fish a day while camping (small bass, there were several bigger fish but I didn't have the right lures)."
Clean, undeveloped setting: Many dispersed sites maintain their natural character. One camper noted of Cauldron Linn, "The area was super clean (lets all continue this!) and beautiful."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many primitive sites require navigating challenging terrain. A visitor to McClendon Spring Campground warned "About 3 1/2 miles on a semi maintained gravel road. Lots of cows." Similarly, at Cauldron Linn, one camper cautioned "Beautiful and peaceful, not great road. Barely made it out with 2wd E250 van. 4wd would probably be fine, just be aware it's a bumpy ride either way!"
Insect considerations: Seasonal bug activity affects certain sites. "If you come in August, bring something for the flies (they're pretty bad)," advises a Cauldron Linn camper.
Reservation and payment processes: Some sites have complex booking systems. A City of Rocks visitor explained "Another bummer about the reservation system is the $10 fee per transaction. Sites are $14/night, so we paid $24 for one night."
Water availability: Most dispersed sites lack reliable water sources. A McClendon Spring visitor found "The trees and grass have taken over and the spring was dry. You could see exposed pipes, maybe they re-route that water in the summer?"
Tips for camping with families
Flat terrain options: Families with young children should seek sites with manageable terrain. Flat Canyon Dispersed Campground provides "Open, quiet space in forest. Really long gravel from highway to site. So far off the highway that it is complete quiet and serenity. Had firewood there and a fire ring to build a fire. Also a picnic table. Beautiful views."
Multi-day adventure bases: Strategic camping locations serve as hubs for various activities. One camper recommended Flat Canyon as "a nice quiet location located a few miles from a nice hike to the lakes. This is one of those hidden spots for those wanting to stay a few days hiking or taking out their ATV/UTV."
Educational opportunities: Several sites offer natural learning environments. At City of Rocks, one parent observed "We have stayed in city of rocks a few times! Tons of things to do and a lot to explore! Camp areas are spacious and right in to the rocks! Kids loved it!"
Toilet access planning: Most primitive sites lack restroom facilities. One camper at City of Rocks Dispersed noted "Outhouses available in the park about 5-10 min drive away if you need them."
Tips from RVers
Site selection reconnaissance: RVers should preview sites before committing. At Wahlstrom Hollow, a camper observed "There were also only 2 maybe 3 campgrounds if you squeezed it in and it required a high clearance vehicle to get to 2 of them."
Turnaround space limitations: Large rigs face constraints at certain sites. "We're driving a one ton GMC with Artic Fox truck camper. We made it down no problem," reports a Cauldron Linn visitor, while another noted "If you do not have a car for high clearance (a Subaru would do fine) just use the upper two camp spots."
Leveling challenges: Flat parking can be difficult to find. A Lower Goose Creek camper mentioned "Beautiful views, solitude, and, with a little work, a level camp spot for our camper."
Water and dump facilities: Plan for these needs at developed locations. A City of Rocks visitor shared "No hookups or dump station at this park, but we stopped at the Castle Rock campground on the way out and filled our tank with potable water and dumped for free."
