5 Cool Rock Climbing Spots in Arizona

Arizona is chock full of great areas for outdoor exploration. Sometimes, great locations get forgotten. Case in point: Mount Lemmon. Mount Lemmon is located in Tucson’s Santa Catalina Mountains at an elevation of more than 9,000 feet. While many Tucson residents are familiar with the area, the majority of Arizonans are unaware of the epic hiking and climbing route that call Mount Lemmon home. It has over 1,500 climbing routes and countless bouldering spots. You’ll encounter everyone from beginners to experienced veterans climbing near the Wilderness of Rocks. The high elevation and dense forest surroundings make this a perfect getaway spot for locals to escape the Arizona heat.   

It doesn’t get much better than Queen Creek Canyon. Located in a recreation area near Superior, it’s home to towering cliffs and thousands of bouldering opportunities. It also has an abundance of routes that each offer their own mix of terrain and climbs. The picture perfect landscape and diverse types of rock will enthrall you during your climbing adventure. Queen Creek is also home to Oak Flat Campground, which is famous in climbing circles for its volcanic rock and challenging bouldering. Queen Creek Canyon is also beloved for its convenience. It’s located close to both Phoenix and Tucson—meaning there’s no shortage of crowds at this legendary spot.

Flagstaff is a renowned spot for outdoor enthusiasts—and rightly so. Towering mountains, thick forests, and a mix of rock from limestone to volcanic are just minutes removed from the city. That means there’s plenty of great hiking and climbing trails. One of the premiere climbing spots is the Pit, located just south of downtown. It’s a steep limestone crag that’s perfect for sports climbers. Climbers looking for more adventure can head towards the San Francisco Peaks for forest hikes and the famous Peak’s crag, an enormous volcanic structure that towers above canyons and trees. 

The Grand Canyon attracts millions of tourists every year. Some come for the stunning views while others for the hiking. While there are myriad activities available at this National Park, few offer an exhilarating experience quite like rock climbing. Most of the park is inaccessible for climbers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t great climbing locales. The Grand Canyon village area is home to most of the 60-plus climbing routes available. Your best bet is to take a hike on the Bright Angel Trail. This popular hiking route has a number of short climbs and a few bouldering opportunities. Add in the unparalleled views of the Grand Canyon and you have all the elements of a once in a lifetime climbing trip.  

Phoenix is the most densely populated city in the state of Arizona. So you might be surprised to learn how many great climbing options there are right in Phoenix’s backyard. It’s home to over 700 rock and boulder climbing routes, most of which are conveniently located on some of Phoenix’s most famous hiking trails. Camelback Mountain remains one of the Valley’s most popular spot for hikers. Camelback’s Echo Canyon trail is known for having stunning city views in addition to a wealth of bouldering opportunities. South Mountain and Piestewa Peak, both great hiking trails, also double as hot spots for bouldering. There’s no denying that serious climbers should seek cooler pastures during the painfully hot summers. However, it’s hard to beat Phoenix as a climbing destination. You have a wide selection of climbable mountains nine months per year.