Idaho’s City of the Rocks Low-Cost Day Trip

Many of you may decide to cancel your holidays this summer. If you plan to drive a lot, you are probably considering reducing the amount. The price of gasoline eats away at leisure budgets. I know my week-long forays into much of the west are going to be scaled back. Yet I still want a break from the cabin fever of a long cold winter and an unusually cool spring. I’m planning day trips and some places I’ve been. Because I don’t mind seeing certain sites a second or third time.

It’s almost a religious experience

One of these places is the City of Rocks. I like the road to get there. You circle the mountain first and then pass through some of the most quaint little towns west of the mountain.

The route is steeped in history. Old schools and abandoned farmhouses dot the landscape along the way.

It was a tough journey

I often catch myself thinking of the early pioneers heading West. Many have left their names on the stones. I googled some names hoping to find descendants in the western states. In many cases, I can’t find any matches. Just a reminder. Not everyone has reached the end of the journey.

For those of us who shower daily and sleep in a warm, comfortable bed, it’s a reminder of the courage our ancestors had in their character.

Rock climbing is a popular activity

By the way, I also admire the tenacity of the guys who climb the rocks. I think I’ll try to keep both feet on the ground.

The park is located in Cassia County. Budget for the best part of the day. The National Parks Service estimates that nearly 120,000 people visit the City of Rocks each year. This includes 60,000 climbers.