Is Smoky Mountain Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Smoky Mountain Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Smoky Mountain Campground before I book?

Yes! Smoky Mountain Campground has 3 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Smoky Mountain Campground?

Yes, Smoky Mountain Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Smoky Mountain Campground?

Cell phone service at Smoky Mountain Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Smoky Mountain Campground have?

Smoky Mountain Campground has 38 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Smoky Mountain Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Smoky Mountain Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Smoky Mountain Campground?

Smoky Mountain Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Smoky Mountain Campground

4.15

124 reviews

City of Rocks National Reserve/Castle Rocks State Park, PO Box 169, Almo, ID, 83312, USA

Top 18% in IDSpring

StargazingTent Camping

Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho#2

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,581 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on City of Rocks National Reserve/Castle Rocks State Park Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,581 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

38 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on City of Rocks National Reserve/Castle Rocks State Park Official Website

Get Directions

Smoky Mountain Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(208)-824-5901ciro_superintendent@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

City of Rocks National Reserve/Castle Rocks State Park, PO Box 169, Almo, ID, 83312, USA

Smoky Mountain Campground

City of Rocks National Reserve/Castle Rocks State Park, PO Box 169, Almo, ID, 83312, USA

Nearby places

Almo: 2 miles (approximately 5 minutes drive). Closest larger population center is Burley, ID: 38 miles (approximately 45 minutes drive).

Weather at Smoky Mountain Campground

Best Time to Camp at Smoky Mountain Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full services — expect warm, dry days (typically 70–85°F) and cool nights (40–55°F) ideal for climbing, long hikes, and horseback outings. City of Rocks is at its busiest and most accessible in summer, when trails are snow-free, water access and restrooms are available, and guided or group climbing activity is in full swing. Weekends can be busy with climbers and photographers, so plan weekday visits or reserve sites in advance to avoid crowds. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Oct; showers and water operational; mild daytime temps 70–85°F.

Planning Tips

About Smoky Mountain Campground

Smoky Mountain Campground sits within City of Rocks National Reserve near Almo, Idaho, operated jointly by the reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. The mid-elevation forest setting offers shaded sites with electric and water hookups, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Visitors come for rock climbing access, dark-sky stargazing, and trail connections into the reserve's granite formations.

Smoky Mountain Campground accommodates various camping styles, including RV camping with electric hookups, tent camping, and equestrian camping in a designated loop.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full services — expect warm, dry days (typically 70–85°F) and cool nights (40–55°F) ideal for climbing, long hikes, and horseback outings. City of Rocks is at its busiest and most accessible in summer, when trails are snow-free, water access and restrooms are available, and guided or group climbing activity is in full swing. Weekends can be busy with climbers and photographers, so plan weekday visits or reserve sites in advance to avoid crowds. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation5581 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies one of the northernmost extensions of pinion-juniper woodland in North America, surrounded by 2.5-billion-year-old granite formations sculpted into spires, domes, and pinnacles. Ancient pinion pines and junipers provide shade across most sites, with twisted branches framing views of distant peaks and rock walls. After dark, minimal light pollution reveals exceptional stargazing, the Milky Way stretching horizon to horizon above the granite silhouettes. Morning sun paints the formations gold and pink, while afternoon shadows shift across the stone sculptures that define this reserve.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

Site SizeThe campground offers sites of varied sizes, accommodating different setups. Some sites are large enough for 40’ 5th wheels, while others are described as semi-private with adequate spacing between sites.

PrivacyMost sites are reported to be semi-private, with large, shaded areas providing some seclusion. One user remarked, 'Each spot is nestled away from your neighbors giving lovely isolated locations.

Total Campsites38 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 35 due to awkward placement. Sites 36 and 37 are ideal for groups.

Best CampsitesSites 11 and 24 are ADA-accessible. Most spots offer semi-private spacing with shade from pinion pines, and some accommodate 40-foot fifth wheels. Avoid sites 35, 36, and 37 unless you're camping with a group. They sit closer together and offer less privacy. Equestrian sites have struggled with management issues during off-season, so visit during the May–September reservation window if you're bringing horses.

Amenities available

Each campsite is equipped with 30 amp electrical service, water service (seasonally), partial shade, picnic tables, vehicle pads, and is pet friendly. Smoky Mountain also features an RV dump station.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is ideally located for various activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, and exploring nearby natural attractions like City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. Seasonal activities such as stargazing are highly recommended due to the area's dark skies.

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available on-site. One user commented positively on this feature: 'There is trash and recycling available, and the bathrooms are nice and clean.'

Cell CoverageCell phone reception varies depending on location within the campground. One user mentioned, 'I was able to also get 1 bar of Verizon, depending on where I was standing,' while another said, 'Verizon was a little spotty, but the booster made 4G usable.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

124 reviews

Satisfactory

Smoky Mountain Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is generally praised for its cleanliness, beautiful setting, and convenient location near City of Rocks National Reserve and Castle Rocks State Park. However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the management of equestrian sites and the seasonal availability of water services.

Review Summaries

Based on 124 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 124 reviews.

Site 36Mentioned
Site 36 and 37: 'Odd setup where campers had to share space; better suited for groups.' 3.
Site 35Issues noted
Site 35: 'Avoid, as it is kind of in the middle of the road.' 2.

What Campers Love

1. Clean and well-maintained facilities, including restrooms and showers. 2. Semi-private, shaded campsites. 3. Convenient access to hiking trails and nearby attractions. 4. Availability of electric...

Based on 124 reviews

Common Concerns

1. Issues with equestrian site management, including non-equestrians occupying these spots. 2. Seasonal shutdown of water services and restrooms. 3. High fees for non-residents. 4. Limited...

Based on 124 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

1. Visit during the reservation season to avoid equestrian site management issues. 2. Bring leveling blocks for RVs due to uneven sites. 3. Purchase trail maps at the campground for $2 to explore...

Based on 124 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during the summer when water and restrooms are operational. Winter visits are quieter but come with limited amenities. Spring is noted for cooler temperatures and the...

Based on 124 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Showers had hot water and good pressure.' 2. 'Each spot is nestled away from your neighbors giving lovely isolated locations.' 3. 'Nice variety of trails. After about 3-4 days, you’ll have done...

Based on 124 reviews

Accessibility Features

ADA-accessible sites (11 and 24) are available, but no further details about accessibility features are mentioned.

Based on 124 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Campgrounds

City Of Rocks National Reserve

Smoky Mountain Campground

About City Of Rocks National Reserve

Context for the broader area surrounding Smoky Mountain Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Emigrants of the California Trail describe the rocks here in vivid detail as "a city of tall spires,” “steeple rocks," and "the silent city." Today, this backcountry byway attracts rock climbers, campers, hikers, hunters, and those with the spirit of adventure. There's inspirational scenery, exceptional opportunities for geologic study, and remnants of the Old West awaiting your discovery.

Directions

From Boise: take I-84 East to exit 216 (Declo); go south on Highway 77 to Conner Creek Junction; turn right (west) on Highway 77 Spur to Almo. The visitor center and the park entrance are south of the post office and businesses. From Pocatello: take I-86 West to I-84 West to exit 216 and proceed as above. From Salt Lake City: take I-84 west to exit 245 (Sublette), turn left and go west to Malta. From Malta take Highway 77. Take Highway 77 Spur to Almo.