City of Rocks camping

So I am thinking about heading to the City next weekend, and of course all of the camp sites are reserved because it's memorial day weekend. Are there any other camp areas nearby? I feel like I remember 2 walk in only sites by the group camp site (where you can pretty much sleep on the parking area). Are there any others??
I know it's kinda last minute, and probably not a great weekend to go, but I definitely want to go if we can camp relatively close. So please offer secret camping beta or any other helpful info!! Thanks!

Actually that is helpful Jaren. I know of a few walk in sites within the city of rocks area, but I don't know where the BLM camping is surrounding city of rocks.
I looked for BLM camping in the area, and all I found was that the BLM camping at castle rocks is closed and has been made a historical area.
So where should I go for BLM camping closest to the City?

I just camped on that little BLM road this weekend. Pretty popular so get there early if it's busy (it will be). Little bit rough, but no problem with regular clearance 2WD.

Please make sure to pack out any trash you bring or find at the sites. Sites becoming completely trashed is generally the reason land management agencies will close down dispersed sites. I saw more trash there than I expected.

The road you're looking for is just a short ways south of Almo. You'll see the entrance for Shootin' Iron Ranch on your left and a parcel of private land with a tuffshed on it. The road you want is just past that shed on the right. Pretty obvious. Road dead-ends in a loop.

Thanks guys! Very helpful!

I'm kind of in the same boat. Wondering if its even worth it to go down on Memorial Day Weekend, hoping/praying to find somewhere on BLM land, and then what the climbing crowds will be like. Has anyone been there on memorial day weekend? Is the entire place pretty busy or can you get away from people if you hike back in to places like Site 18, or Steinfelf's Dome? I am willing to for-go the classics, and hike out to places to climb.

Nielsonru wrote:I am willing to for-go the classics, and hike out to places to climb.

The great thing about the City is that if you forgo the classic 4 star routes you still get to hop on a slew of 3.75 stars routes that don't see all that much action and would be the crown jewel of any other climbing area...
Walk a bit further than the inner city or the bread loaves and you'll be by yourself. Chase shade and keep in mind that there are A LOT of crags to explore.
The camping is a different story altogether, if you get there late Friday you might be bummed.

Given the weather it will be busy this weekend. If yer not pitching a tent and sleeping in back of yer vehicle there are many places outside the reserve along some of the roads where one can pull off the shoulder and remain in the public right away.

I'm headed there today/tonight (Thursday), so I am hoping I can get a leg up on the Friday crowds. Yeah, the weather is kind of crappy everywhere except The City, and usually I have gone during the week in years past, but work dictates otherwise.

There are a couple of old campsites spread throughout the camping areas that can only be reserved day-of. I don't remember the exact details of them, but they are designated by letters (I think it goes A-F). Talk with the park officials in Almo and they can direct you to them, though they may or may not be open.

Garret Nuzzo-Jones wrote:I just camped on that little BLM road this weekend.

Can get wicked crowded. Just a short plea to folks who arrive after dark, maybe well after dark... When you're unpacking, try to limit the slamming and opening of the trunk of your car multiple times a teeny bit, and, you could keep your voices down to a dull roar too. How many beers and margaritas you drank the night before, what routes you onsited, etc, aren't really that interesting. You might notice that there's folks camping across the road from you, and, given they aren't up around a raging bonfire with a full on drum circle, they might be trying to sleep.

Thanks.

Also...I hate to mention it, 'cause I like staying there...

The Bunkhouse at the Castle is pretty awesome. Walk to climbing from the parking lot. Sweet digs.

Brian in SLC wrote: How many beers and margaritas you drank the night before

You should be more concerned about the number of beers and margaritas I'm drinking that night while unpacking, I find that my trunk-slamming skills improve dramatically after the first half hour and 128 ounces of Epic.

I think we are bagging the trip and going somewhere else. I've been spoiled by too many mid-week trips to The City to want to go during memorial day weekend. Of course, I am used to having a crag all to myself up here in SE Idaho.

Hello everyone,
Hello local climbers,

we are in May 2016 in the City for climbing and recreation. We will come as a famile of 3 (son,wife,me). We come from Germany and rent a mobile home / rv in Salt Lake City for our trip.

- Can anybody tell me if it is possible to stay / camp with such an (yes, silly...) RV in a campsite in the City? Lenghts is about 22 ft.

- Is the fee of $12.72 equal for tent campers and rv ?

- Is there maybe a recommended site?

Thanks and greetings Robert

Here is a web site you will need to use to get reservations. It has all the information you need some of the camp sites near Elephant Rock will fit a 22 ft RV easily. Have fun it's a great place.
idahostateparks.reserveamer…

Will, thanks for the advise with Elephant Rock and your reply. Cheers!

Do anybody think, it'll may be possible to go with a rv to Bread Loaves for camping?
Perhaps around campsite 50 - 60, at this Map? nps.gov/ciro/planyourvisit/…

Thanks!

Both 50 and 60 are walk in camp sites (parking for cars only).
All the data you need is given at the link I included in my last post.
Including photos and length of vehicles.