Idaho · Rock climbing · Almo

Parking Lot Rock - East

Parking Lot Rock - East in Idaho has 7 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

Photo: photophat, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

7 routes

5.8 – 5.11c

Trad · Sport

Is Parking Lot Rock - East open right now?

No closures listed

The National Park Service lists no closures for City of Rocks National Reserve.

As of Oct 25, 11:30 am MDT · Source: NPS · City of Rocks National Reserve. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Parking Lot Rock - East

Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

Jan
35° / 16°
8 wet
Feb
39° / 19°
7 wet
Mar
48° / 27°
6 wet
Apr
55° / 33°
7 wet
May
65° / 41°
9 wet
Jun
75° / 50°
6 wet
Jul
86° / 59°
5 wet
Aug
85° / 57°
6 wet
Sep
74° / 48°
5 wet
Oct
60° / 35°
5 wet
Nov
45° / 24°
6 wet
Dec
35° / 17°
8 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rosette, UT, 24.2 mi away at 5,685 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Parking Lot Rock - East is a climbing area in Idaho's City of Rocks National Reserve, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, including Parking Lot Rock and Morning Glory Spire, and the South Fork Circle Creek Trail begins just 0.1 mile away. The area's routes run from trad climbs rated about 5.8 up to a sport route, Spud Meets Hammerhead, at 5.11c. The median grade is around 5.10a/b, with trad making up most of the options. Beauty and the Beast and Stress Fracture are two of the more prominent trad routes. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show highs around 75°F in June and 74°F in September, though that station sits about 850 feet lower than the reserve, so temperatures here run cooler. July and August are the warmest months, with highs in the mid-80s. Independence Lakes Campground, about 9.6 miles away, is the closest place to camp.