29 – Little City of Rocks
Little City of Rocks, located approximately 12.5 miles north of Gooding, Idaho, is a captivating geological area renowned for its unique rock formations. Visitors can explore an array of towers, hoodoos, mushroom caps, spires, and natural arches that rise from the desert floor, creating an otherworldly landscape ideal for hiking, photography, and nature appreciation. Visit Southern Idaho
The main trail offers a moderately challenging 4.9-mile loop through stunning desert canyons, typically taking about 2 hours and 17 minutes to complete. Along the way, hikers may encounter ancient petroglyphs carved by Native Americans thousands of years ago, adding a historical dimension to the natural beauty. Wildlife sightings, including coyotes, rabbits, and hawks, are also common. Primitive camping is permitted, but visitors should come prepared with ample water and supplies, as amenities are limited.
More Information
Coordinates: 43.119602, -114.683042
Elevation: 4530 ft
Difficulty: 2
What to Expect: No info
[reblex id=’779′]
Check In
Use the form below to check in. Check-ins must include a photo of you or your bike at the challenge site with the 2025 bandanna. All participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Leave a description of your ride and share road conditions — snow, water, obstacles, and tips for future riders are all appreciated.
Replying to another person's check-in is encouraged, but take care not to accidentally create your own check-in.
The stated difficulty is an estimate. Rating your experience helps future riders stay safe. You alone are responsible for the safety of your ride.
13 Check-Ins
Alex beat me posting up our trip…
Would have liked to hike around the area and explore more.
https://youtu.be/KsFNzNT44Qw?si=7XTELBcrFk_iNkTo
FE701LR did a two day ride, and this was our first stop. We actually trailered to this location and then set off from there to pick up locations south of us. Be on the lookout for the rock that looks like a wolf!
I would rate this as a difficult 2, although it's pavement right up until the last little bit. Remember- a 2 is just gravel in which you could take a mini van. This is a bit harder than that, but not by much. Don't sweat it if you are on a bigger adventure bike.
Lots of jology. Would be nice to photograph during sunrise or sun set.
I got this site on Alec’s 3 day 1300 mile ride. The last one of the day 400+ mile day.
Nice easy ride in. Beware of the fire pits when you stop as it looks like people had burned pallets (ie nails). The site is super interesting and the view over the rocks to the geology behind is like an alien landscape.
Today started off with a super short dirt road to Little City of Rocks. I even got a little water crossing in, but I'll log that later... hoping for a better one. Seems like a cool place to explore with the kids, so I'll have to come back.
This is a really cool and interesting place. You can see why it's called Little City of Rocks. Thanks to the person who built the Little Rock 8 inch wide sidewalk across the pond so that I didn't have to ridee through the mud water crossing.
Headed to Boise for the week for training. Hit up a couple sires on the way. This one was cool. Met Dan while I was there. He's doing the challenge sites too. Even let me use his bandana for the check in photo since I don't have mine yet. April 15th. Great temperature to ride. Cool little spot with a little bit of dirt road and a small water crossing to get in.
Road was in great shape, and this place is BEAUTIFUL! I will definitely visit this place again.
It's hard for me to rate the road. Going in it was pretty easy, rutted, but dry and you could pick a line fairly easy. Coming out, almost to the highway, we encountered a road grader grading the road! Now he may have made it better. But what I observed was he was cutting the hard-pack tops off next to the ruts, and filling the ruts in with soft dirt. I'm glad I had the chance to ride this road before the grader hit it. And I wouldn't want to be on this road during or after any rain or snow. Cool spot by the way.........
It is a short ways off the paved highway, and is easily accessible with big bikes. It’s a cool little spot to hike if you have some time and enjoy rock formations. I am guessing the dry stacked stones for the rock wall are remnants of a small dam..? It looks similar to a dry stacked dam we have in our area.
Alex beat me posting up our trip…
Would have liked to hike around the area and explore more.
https://youtu.be/KsFNzNT44Qw?si=7XTELBcrFk_iNkTo
FE701LR did a two day ride, and this was our first stop. We actually trailered to this location and then set off from there to pick up locations south of us. Be on the lookout for the rock that looks like a wolf!
I would rate this as a difficult 2, although it’s pavement right up until the last little bit. Remember- a 2 is just gravel in which you could take a mini van. This is a bit harder than that, but not by much. Don’t sweat it if you are on a bigger adventure bike.
Our 3 day ride going well so far. Next stop is Fairfield for dinner!
Lots of jology. Would be nice to photograph during sunrise or sun set.
I got this site on Alec’s 3 day 1300 mile ride. The last one of the day 400+ mile day.
Nice easy ride in. Beware of the fire pits when you stop as it looks like people had burned pallets (ie nails). The site is super interesting and the view over the rocks to the geology behind is like an alien landscape.
Spent some time helping an elderly couple search for petroglyphs.
Today started off with a super short dirt road to Little City of Rocks. I even got a little water crossing in, but I’ll log that later… hoping for a better one. Seems like a cool place to explore with the kids, so I’ll have to come back.
This is a really cool and interesting place. You can see why it’s called Little City of Rocks. Thanks to the person who built the Little Rock 8 inch wide sidewalk across the pond so that I didn’t have to ridee through the mud water crossing.
Headed to Boise for the week for training. Hit up a couple sires on the way. This one was cool. Met Dan while I was there. He’s doing the challenge sites too. Even let me use his bandana for the check in photo since I don’t have mine yet. April 15th. Great temperature to ride. Cool little spot with a little bit of dirt road and a small water crossing to get in.
Road was in great shape, and this place is BEAUTIFUL! I will definitely visit this place again.
It’s hard for me to rate the road. Going in it was pretty easy, rutted, but dry and you could pick a line fairly easy. Coming out, almost to the highway, we encountered a road grader grading the road! Now he may have made it better. But what I observed was he was cutting the hard-pack tops off next to the ruts, and filling the ruts in with soft dirt. I’m glad I had the chance to ride this road before the grader hit it. And I wouldn’t want to be on this road during or after any rain or snow. Cool spot by the way………
It is a short ways off the paved highway, and is easily accessible with big bikes. It’s a cool little spot to hike if you have some time and enjoy rock formations. I am guessing the dry stacked stones for the rock wall are remnants of a small dam..? It looks similar to a dry stacked dam we have in our area.
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