World’s Best Climbing

Southern Utah is one of the rock climbing capitals of the world. People travel from all over the globe to scale our cliffs and hone their skills. And with the greatest scenery on earth, it’s no wonder Southern Utah is one of the most iconic locations for rock climbing.

And chief among all the Utah climbing locations is Moab. Moab is something like the adventure headquarters of Southern Utah. It’s got everything for everyone. Access to two great national parks, Jeep trails, bike trails, hiking and, of course, rock climbing. So let’s talk about a couple places you should check out on your next trip to Moab. If you want even more ideas, check out our Red River Ranch itinerary for Moab.

Photo by Backroad Packers via unsplash.com

Big Bend Bouldering Area

Rated: V0 – V5
If you’re new to the area, maybe start at Big Bend. It’s a great introduction to Moab, and a great place to get a feel for the local rock. Plus, Big Bend has something for everyone, no matter your skill level or age. Located just 9-miles outside of Moab, Big Bend is a bouldering heaven. You’ll love. Just bring a crash pad and your shoes. Big Bend can also be a great place to practice before doing traditional routes.

Wall Street Area

Rated: 5.6 – 5.12b
There are over 120 routes on Wall Street, mostly sport and mixed-sport climbs and under 100-feet. (We do suggest bring some trad gear, since sometimes bolts can be missing.) There are also a fair amount of crack routes. A wide range of ratings makes Wall Street very popular, so expect lots of company. If you only have time to climb one area near Moab, this is a great choice.

Fisher Towers

Rated: 5.7 – 5.11b A3+
Probably the most iconic, and the most difficult place to climb near Moab is at Fisher Towers. These massive sandstone monoliths provide breathtaking views for miles in every direction. All routes are trad routes, and several require aid climbing. If you’re up for a challenge, Fisher Towers will give you one. But it will be worth it. Just do a quick image search, and you’ll see what we mean.

Photo by Cindy Chen via unsplash.com

Make it a Weekend

Memorial Day is coming up. If you’re looking for a rock climbing adventure weekend, you couldn’t ask for a better time. It’s warm, but not yet the summer rainy season. Moab will be busy, so you should try to book accommodations and reservations as soon as possible. Campsites can be reserved at recreation.gov. And also, if you’re coming to town, check out Arches and Canyonlands and maybe Dead Horse State Park too.

Safety Notice

These suggestions are primarily for people with rock climbing experience. As everyone knows, rock climbing can be dangerous. So please don’t attempt what you can’t handle. And if you are new to the sport go with someone who can teach you, or consider hiring a guide. Also remember, any physical activity in the desert will require additional precautions. Take lots of water. We’ve included approximate ratings for each of our suggestions, but these are to be used as guides to help indicate the routes’ difficulties, not necessarily as stated facts.