Backyard Boulders Trail

Access is from I-84 in Burley, Idaho or from I-84 Snowville in Utah. The Visitor Center is in the small city of Almo Idaho. Castle Rocks State Park has a lot of different things to offer. There is a great camping area. There is a lodge and bunkhouse. A large lawn area, and there is a frisbee golf course. Castle Rocks goes hand in hand with neighboring City of Rocks National Preserve. They both offer great camping, hiking, biking, world class rock climbing, and photography. There are also hot springs in Almo. If you go in summer make sure you reserve a campsite beforehand because it can get very busy. There are two trailheads. One offers a couple different scenic trails. The Backyard Boulders trail begins at the Stines Creek Picnic Area. This is a fun family friendly trail that circles Castle Rock and has a few points of interest. Castle Rock is a huge Granite rock with lots of popular climbing routes. There are also several detours and side trips you can do with this trail. I personally like the over the rock trail done with this trail. The main family friendly route is well signed and has very little elevation change. It is two miles long and there are tons of places for adults and kids to climb up on different rocks and see other scenery. From the parking lot, you will head south and cross a bridge over the creek. You will be circling around Castle Rock. You don't really realize how large these rocks are until you are by them. Pictures do it very little justice. You will then come to the signs for the Shock and Awe Shelter. This is a small cavity that was used by humans in the past. Artifacts dating to 660 A.D. were found in this spot. You will see the three pools boulder which has three huge panholes in it that can contain water year round. After shock and awe shelter you will head around the north of Castle Rock. Follow the trail downhill through the trees until you come to the sign for the pictographs. These are very old and faded but still cool to see. You will see some beautiful scenery near here with great views of the bulk of the State Park. The trail will start to go back towards the parking lot. You will pass through an aspen grove and the picnic sight before reaching your car.