The granite spires, sculptured boulders, and deep canyons of the City of Rocks National Reserve in Idaho have long been whispered to conceal untold riches. Tales of lost gold, silver, and other valuables have captivated imaginations for generations, making the quest for City of Rocks treasure a compelling chapter in Western lore. This remote yet historically significant area, once a bustling crossroads for westward-bound pioneers and prospectors, hides secrets within its dramatic landscape.
Hundreds of thousands traversed this rugged terrain on their arduous journey west, particularly after the pivotal gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma, California. These hardy pioneers included travelers on the Oregon and California Trails, later joined by countless prospectors drawn by the gold strikes in northern Idaho and Montana. Though seemingly isolated today, the City of Rocks Reserve was a vibrant nexus of northern trails from the 1840s to the 1890s, making it a prime location for both legitimate commerce and illicit activity.
Debunking the Almo Creek Massacre Legend
One prominent treasure tale frequently associated with the City of Rocks is the alleged massacre at Almo Creek. The legend recounts an immigrant caravan of approximately 60 wagons, taking the Sublette Cutoff for the California Road, being ambushed by Native Americans. Supposedly, around 300 pioneers valiantly defended themselves for days, but all perished except for five who miraculously escaped. Such massacre sites are often believed to hold numerous relics and hidden caches.
However, modern historians largely discredit this narrative, labeling it as campfire folklore. The absence of military records or contemporary newspaper reports mentioning what would have been the second-largest Indian massacre in the 19th century strongly suggests its fictitious nature. It is now widely accepted that the historical marker erected in 1938 was likely intended to attract tourists to the region, rather than commemorate a factual event. Despite the debunking, the story highlights the era’s dangers and the common belief in lost fortunes associated with tragic events.
The Idaho and Montana Gold Rushes and Outlaw Caches
While the Almo Creek massacre might be folklore, numerous other claims of treasure hidden within the City of Rocks persist. These accounts predominantly revolve around the treacherous roadways and trails that connected the lucrative gold camps of northern Idaho and Montana to Salt Lake City, a vital supply and trade hub.
The region experienced a series of significant gold discoveries, beginning with the Clearwater River in northern Idaho in 1860, followed by the Salmon River (1861), Boise River (1862), and silver and gold near the Owyhee River (1863). Across the border in Montana Territory, even richer veins were unearthed along Grasshopper Creek in 1860 and at Alder Gulch in 1861. This mineral wealth fueled a massive influx of prospectors, leading to the rapid proliferation of boomtowns like Idaho City, Silver City, Florence (Idaho), Virginia City, Nevada City, and Bannack (Montana).
This surge of wealth attracted not only miners and businessmen but also a notorious element: outlaws. These individuals sought an easier living than mining, organizing into groups specifically to rob stages, freight wagons, and individuals transporting gold dust. By 1863, these boomtowns had become lawless havens, where gold dust was the primary form of currency and crime was rampant. One such notorious band was allegedly led by Henry Plummer, who, paradoxically, was elected sheriff of Virginia City and Bannack, Montana, in 1863. Before his hanging in January 1864 by vigilantes, Plummer reputedly claimed to have secreted over $100,000 in stolen loot somewhere along the trail from Virginia City through Idaho—a potential bounty still sought by treasure hunters.
The Ed Long Robbery and Other Stagecoach Fortunes
One of the most persistent legends concerns Ed Long and his partner. In 1863, they orchestrated a daring robbery, stealing nearly $100,000 in gold dust and nuggets from a stagecoach in Portneuf Canyon, eastern Idaho. The stage, en route from Montana’s gold camps to Salt Lake City, was waylaid between Pocatello and McCammon. Despite Long’s prior experience as a stage driver in the area and his efforts to learn about gold shipments, the sheer quantity of gold-filled leather pouches in the strongbox astonished the outlaws.
Knowing a posse would be in swift pursuit, Long and his partner fled west towards the City of Rocks, near the Idaho-Utah border, intending to bury their cache and disappear among the numerous travelers. After burying the stolen gold, a Brigham City posse eventually caught them at Birch Creek, close to the City of Rocks. As the lawmen closed in, Long attempted to surrender, but his partner opened fire, resulting in Long’s death. Following a lengthy gunfight, Long’s wounded partner was captured. Despite intense interrogation, he steadfastly refused to reveal the gold’s hiding place. He was later transported to Utah, then to Texas for previous crimes, maintaining his silence until his death. The Ed Long treasure remains a significant, tantalizing mystery.
Just two years later, a second Portneuf Canyon Stage Robbery occurred in almost the same vicinity. Many speculate that the gold from this heist, valued at $86,000 at the time (now worth over $1.6 million), was also hidden in or near the City of Rocks. The allure of such a substantial fortune continues to draw seekers to the area.
Even after the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, stage and freight lines continued to operate, transporting gold from northern mines to the depot at Kelton, Utah, about 40 miles southeast of the City of Rocks, ensuring the ongoing risk of robbery.
In 1878, another stagecoach, destined for a U.S. military camp in Boise, was robbed near Goose Creek, just north of the City of Rocks. The loot, gold bullion valued between $90,000 and $200,000, was so heavy it had to be dragged. A posse tracked the distinctive marks left by the laden strongbox directly to the City of Rocks, where the trail vanished. One outlaw was killed, and the other captured days later. Believed to have buried the cache at the base of what is now known as Treasure Rock, he died in prison without ever disclosing its exact location.
Additional records recount a holdup near Oakley, Idaho, where five outlaws acquired approximately $100,000 in gold. Pursued by a posse, they were cornered in a box canyon within the City of Rocks, all five perishing in the ensuing gunfight. The substantial stolen loot was never recovered.
Beyond these documented incidents, countless other tales circulate among the craggy landscape of the City of Rocks—stories of more stage robbery loot and even treasures from train robberies concealed among its giant granite boulders. The Portneuf Canyon area, with its numerous hold-ups, earned monikers like Robber’s Roost and Hell’s Half Acre, cementing its reputation as a haven for bandits and their ill-gotten gains.
The Search Continues: Attempts to Unearth the Lost Treasures
The local lore surrounding these many hidden treasures has fueled discussions and prompted countless expeditions for over a century. Many individuals, driven by the promise of wealth, have attempted to retrieve these elusive riches.
One such seeker was Leander Whittaker, a resident of Newton, Idaho. He was approached by a stranger from Texas claiming to have met Ed Long in prison. The Texan alleged that Long, an old acquaintance of Whittaker from his stage-driving days, had divulged the treasure’s location before his death. Despite spending many days tirelessly searching the City of Rocks, Whittaker and the stranger returned empty-handed. Whittaker later discovered the stranger was a wanted man in Texas for seven counts of murder, a realization that brought him relief when the man eventually departed the area.
Another notable figure,
