Massacre Rocks State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Massacre Rocks State Park on the Snake River's shores near American Falls, Idaho, is a terrific place for an outdoor adventure. You can play disc golf, fish, hike and learn more about history at this park. This park contains numerous boulders that travelers along the Oregon Trail and the California Trail used as campsites. Nearby, visitors can see Register Rocks, where those travelers carved their names. You can also see waterfalls in the Salmo-Priest Wilderness Area and hike along Idaho's Centennial Trail.
Nearby Cities
American Falls, ID
Rockland, ID
Aberdeen, ID
Pocatello, ID
Spring 28-70 F
Summer 48-90 F
Fall 26-78 F
Winter 18-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Massacre Rocks State Park
Campground Accommodations
Massacre Rocks State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes, in the Visitor Center's deck area
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, showers, grills
Massacre Rocks State Park Campground
Massacre Rocks State Park Campground is an RV camping facility that offers 42 RV campsites, eight of which are pull-throughs. Each site is 20 feet in width, leaving plenty of room for you to deploy any slide-outs your RV may have. The pull-through sites accept rigs up to 50 feet long, but the back-in sites can only accommodate rigs up to 40 feet in length. A boat, kayak, and canoe concessionaire have several crafts available for rent that you can launch at the campground's boat ramp onto the Snake River. Potable water is available through spigots that dot the campground.
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookup: 30 amp
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, warm showers, dump station
Fee: $12 to $29 per night
Willow Bay Resort
Located alongside the American Falls Reservoir, the Willow Bay Resort provides 32 RV campsites with asphalt pads, 20 of which are pull-throughs. Each camp is 45 feet in width, giving you plenty of room to stretch out. This resort reserves pull-through sites for rigs 36 feet or more in length while the back-in sites are limited to rigs of 35 feet or less. Each visitor is met at the gate and escorted to their site to ensure proper hookups. The lake provides some of the best fishing in Idaho, and the resort offers a boat ramp and marina in which to store your boat while not in use. Willow Bay resort fosters one of the most challenging disc-golf courses in the region. Nature trails for hikers, horseshoe pits, and a children's playground are available for all visitors.
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station, laundry facility
Fee: $20 to $45 per night
Indian Springs Resort and RV
Also, in American Falls, ID, Indian Springs Resort and RV offers 131 grass campsites, some of which are primitive, but most have at least water and electric hookups. Each camp is 20 feet in width and 40 feet in length. Twenty of the sites are pull-throughs. Most of the sites are shaded, and all of them include trash pickup with the camping fee. The resort provides a large-heated pool during the warm months and a wading pool for the kiddies. A water slide and a stocked fishing pond finish out the water activities at this resort. Horseshoe pits and a rec room with pool tables, foosball, and arcade games are available for relaxing activities after a long day.
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookup: 30/50 amp
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, fire rings, picnic tables, dump station, laundry facility
Fee: $19 to $32 per night
What to Do at
Massacre Rocks State Park
Imagine camping near large boulders named Gate of Death and Devil's Gate as a settler along the Oregon Trail while hiking in this state park. You can also fish, play disc golf and study nature.
Inside Massacre Rocks State Park
During the daylight hours, hikers at Massacre Rocks State Park walk miles of hiking trails, some of which lead visitors to the remaining evidence that emigrants passed this way following the Oregon Trail. Rock climbers and hikers who enjoy strenuous climbs find plenty of satisfying challenges in this park. Famous locations like Register Rock, where emigrants left their names scratched on the rock surface, are available for visitors to view. Fishing on the Snake River, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition landed giant catfish, is still yielding incredible catches. Then, at night, due to the isolated location at a high elevation of 4,400 feet, the Milky Way fills the eyes of stargazers.
Fishing
Borrow a fishing rod from the park's headquarters, or bring your own and fish in the Snake River. Anglers often catch trout, carp and bass using crayfish. You will need a fishing license.
Nature Watching
As you wander the trails, you may see beavers, rabbits, muskrats, and coyotes. This park is a fabulous location for birdwatching, and you might see bald eagles, geese, pelicans and herons.
Stargazing
This park's remote location, about 10 miles from American Falls, Idaho, makes it an amazing place to go stargazing. A fabulous option is to climb up on one of the boulders so that nothing blocks your view. Select sites further away from the interstate so traffic lights are not a problem.
Flora and Fauna
Massacre Rocks State Park has a desert environment, but you can still find many interesting plants. Sagebrush, Utah juniper and rabbit brush are the most common. Scientists have identified over 300 species of plants in this state park.
Hiking
The Snake River Walk runs along the Snake River's shores. It can get hot in the summer, so bring water. The first part of this trail is relatively flat until you reach a plaque showcasing ruts left by travelers along the Oregon Trail. Then, there are some switchbacks. Note that this trail that continues outside the park's boundaries has benches where people can stop and rest. Most hikers spend a little over 3 hours hiking along it.
Boating
There is a boat launch on the west end of the park. Near the boat launch, you will find a paved parking lot with pull-through parking. Visitors can rent canoes near the Program Area, and a canoe launch is at that location. Many people choose to paddle around the nearby islands.
Biking
Take a bike ride along this park's roads to see its unique rock formations. Several trails are open to mountain bikers. A favorite with many bikers is the Snake River Walk Trail, which allows bikers to see scenic river views. There are also single-track trails at multiple park locations.
How to Get to
Massacre Rocks State Park
It is easy to get to Massacre Rocks State Park from American Falls, Idaho, by getting on Interstate 86 West. Get off at Exit 28 and bear right to get on Register Road. Turn right on Park Lane and enter the park.
Entering Massacre Rocks State Park
Parking for smaller vehicles is available near the park's headquarters and Program Area. Drivers of larger vehicles will find convenient parking near the campground and boat ramp. There is a $7 per person entrance fee.
Start your adventure at Massacre Rocks State Park at the visitors center to see the displays about the Oregon Trail and California Trail. Then, head out on hiking trails to see ruts left by these early visitors. This park is a fantastic place to go boulder climbing. You will love the scenic views at this park on the Snake River's banks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massacre Rocks State Park
Late spring is an ideal time to visit Massacre Rocks State Park. This park has little shade, so summertime temperatures can be brutal. In addition, bass should be biting, and it is a fabulous time to go on a paddling adventure.
Over 200 species of birds have been spotted at Massacre Rocks State Park, including geese, pelicans and herons. You may also see beavers, rabbits, muskrats, and coyotes. Consider watching for animals along the Snake River at sunrise and sunset.
Campers will find 42 camping spots at Massacre Rocks State Park. The spots are arranged around two loops. Sites on the Upper Loop are available year-round.
Reservations are required at Massacre Rocks State Park, and you can make them up to a year in advance. You can book your site online or by calling the park's office. Residents of Idaho can camp for $33 per night while visitors to the state will need to pay $36, but seniors who are Idaho residents can camp for $20 on Monday through Thursday while non-residents will need to pay $21.50.
Leashed pets are allowed at Massacre Rocks State Park but cannot be in any of the park's buildings. This includes the park's trails, a favorite activity of many people visiting this location. This regulation is in effect to protect your pet's and other visitors' safety.
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