There’s not many people here
For some reason, City of Rocks doesn't seem as popular as Rockhound State Park, even though both have Rocks in their name. But I think it has something to do with the number of hookup sites they have available; most of the campsites at Rockhound are hookup sites, and they are full almost all the time, but there are very few hookup sites at City of Rocks, but what few they have are also almost always full. Still, most of the campsites are in the boulders with no hookups, so most of them are often empty this time of year.
I would think it might be the opposite in the summer. Both places would be extremely hot in the summer, but being in the boulders would offer plenty of shade, while Rockhound's location provides no shade anywhere in the campground.
Talking to the campground hostess this morning, she told me that they've been hosting here for six years and that there are fewer people here than she's ever seen. It kind of makes me wonder if the new substantial fee increases, even though they won't take effect for another couple of weeks, have already scared people off and that folks are finding other places to stay than the state parks. It's probably not, but it made me wonder.
Theboondork
The loop road that circles the city of rocks hugging the base of the boulders.
A camper van snuggles In for the night in the safety of the base of a huge boulder.
City of Rocks sunset.