Backyard Boulders Return Route

Geological Interpretive Trail - 1 mile

~5 min drive

Have you ever visited City of Rocks and wondered, “How did this happen?” or “Why do the rocks look like this?” The Geological Interpretive Trail is the perfect short hike to: see fascinating geological formations up close examine the difference between the Green Creek Comple…

Independence Lakes

~10 min drive

Moderate 9-mile alpine lake hike with 1,659 ft elevation gain.

Cold Springs Creek

~15 min drive

Easy creek-side walk through Idaho backcountry with minimal elevation gain.

Lake Cleveland

~23 min drive

Easy 2.2-mile lakeside walk with minimal elevation gain.

City of Rocks National Reserve, the California Trail

~5 min drive

Although there may have been some visitation to the area by Europeans and Americans during the fur trade and exploration-era, the establishment of the California Trail through the City of Rocks is what brought the first significant number of European-Americans to what is now t…

Fairchild Creek

~17 min drive

Challenging 18.81-mile creek drainage hike with 2,668 ft elevation gain.

Thompson Flat

~24 min drive

Moderate 3.66-mile foothill hike with 757 ft elevation gain near Thompson Flat.

Howell Canyon Trail

~25 min drive

Easy 2.3-mile canyon walk with minimal elevation gain.

Parking Lot Rock Trailhead

~7 min drive

This is the end of the Creekside Towers Trail, or the beginning depending on which end you start from. If you need a rest stop there is a bathroom located about 500 ft up the road.

New Canyon

~22 min drive

Long canyon trail offering scenic geology and riparian landscapes.