City Of Rocks National Reserve · Idaho

NFCC

3.8 mi of trail, end to end · about 70 ft of climbing · 1,500 ft of descent · 6,128 ft–7,243 ft · earth surface · trail class Minimally Developed · hiking

Picnic areas

7,196 ft 6,830 ft · 1.5 mi high 7,243 ft

Along the way Emery Pass Picnic Area

Hike the City of Rocks Loop the Park Service's write-up

4-6 Hours · dogs allowed

2 prominent granite features jut up in the foreground with a rocky mountainous landscape behind.

Strenuous – 6.8 miles

From sagebrush flats to high country groves, this trail takes you deep into the “City.” This remote loop hike is a ranger favorite. The combination of pine trees, rock formations, and epic views offer a surprise at every turn of the trail. The loop can be accessed from several trailheads along the main road. The Emery Creek Picnic area is a great starting point, the North Fork Circle Creek trailhead is located across the road from the parking area. About 1 mile in check out the spectacular view from the overlook (near the gate). Shortly after beginning the descent down toward North Creek you will come across North Fork Spring. As you make your way down toward the basin, watch for the trail to cut back right (west) along the base of the impressive Stripe Rock formation. Continue past Lost Arrow Spire on the Bumblie Trail, then join South Fork Circle Creek Trail heading back up to complete the loop. North Fork Circle Creek and South Fork Circle Creek are abbreviated on many trail signs as N.F.C.C and S.F.C.C.

Accessibility This trail is narrow and steep in places over uneven terrain.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map

All 51 trails in City Of Rocks National ReserveFind a trailOn the parks mapPark on nps.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do" text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.