Access
The reserve can be reached from the west, via paved highway 27 to Oakley, then the mostly unpaved
Birch Creek Road, but the usual approach is from the east, along the
Elba-Almo highway, which leads to the peaceful town of Almo, 35 miles from I-84 (see
map). The NPS visitor center lies just south of town, shortly before the road becomes unpaved. The place closes early but brochures are available outside for late arrivals; also in the grounds are two photogenic old wagons, behind which stretches a vast empty valley. The road to the reserve branches off to the west, heading towards a group of jagged pinnacles that are visible from several miles away, while approaching the town. The pavement persists just a little way, as far as the turnoff for the full service, 38 site Smoky Mountain Campground (part of the nearby
Castle Rocks State Park) on the left, before being replaced by gravel. Free, primitive camping is available a few miles south, on side tracks leading into the surrounding BLM land, locations which enjoy sweeping views across the flat valley to the east. There is no entrance charge for the reserve - a fee is only required for camping ($14, in 2021) which is still relatively cheap, given the scenic surroundings, even though there are no facilities.
Scenic Drive
Once inside the reserve, a narrow side track (not for RVs) heads north to
Circle Creek Overlook, an elevated viewpoint, but the first main site of interest is
Camp Rock, one of several isolated granite peaks in the foothills - most formations are higher up, towards the mountain crest. This rock bears many inscriptions from emigrants along the California Trail, the earliest dating from the 1840s and 1850s. A few more can be seen on
Treasure Rock, soon after which the road arrives at a junction, next to
Register Rock which also has many signatures. The left (southern) route leads to one of two alternative entrances, in the southeast corner of the reserve, on the way encountering only one group of rocks, centered on the
Twin Sisters, site of a picnic area and campground. The right route, a little narrower but still good for all vehicles, continues west to the main group of granite formations. Along here are more camp sites, around 60 in all, well separated and spread out along 2 miles of the road; many are right next to the granite outcrops, and occupy elevated sites looking down across the wide valley to the north (
Circle Creek). Other named formations along the road include
Elephant Rock,
Bread Loaves and
Bath Rock, where a short trail loops around a big outcrop that holds seasonal pools near its summit. Other
trails are on the north side of the road, concentrated around the
Inner City, where most of the largest and most spectacular rocks are found. The road reaches a high point of 6,830 feet at
Emery Pass, at the west edge of the granite region, then descends a little to the Emery Canyon entrance, and links with Birch Creek Road several miles further.