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Sedona Area

Arizona > Northern Arizona

Description

​​​Sedona is a great place to rock climb - situated on the southern end of the Colorado Plateau, Sedona is known for innumerable sandstone spires and towers. While the rock is often soft and routes can be inconsistent in quality, there are many great adventures to be had. Many great cragging routes are also available, as well as bouldering and some basalt climbing at the higher elevations.

Sedona itself is a beautiful place to visit, though a bit on the touristy side. Camping can be found in both pay sites and on National Forest land nearby. Most well known bouldering areas will be found in ​Sedona Bouldering, under the NAZ Bouldering page.

***** RAIN AND WET ROCK ***** As with all soft stone areas, the sandstone in SEDONA is fragile, and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN SEDONA during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

We've separated the Sedona area into three small regions;

Sedona proper includes all the areas around the main part of town, including Cathedral Spires, Marges Draw, Mooses Butte, Damfino Canyon, Mormon Canyon, and much more.

West Sedona includes all those areas found on this side of town including the Dry Creek Road Areas, Coffee Pot Rock Areas, and more.

And finally there is Oak Creek Village south of Sedona proper, which is home to such grand formations as Courthouse Butte and Oak Creek Spire.

As far as the climbing goes you will either love it or hate it. However, the beauty of the area is undeniable, and keeps a lot of us hungry for more.

Getting There

Sedona sits at the intersection of highways 179 and 89A just south of Flagstaff. Routes are spread throughout many of the spires and canyons in the area.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Doing the jump-across off The Mace.  I never get tired of this climb.  Photo by Wednesday Hugus.
[Hide Photo] Doing the jump-across off The Mace. I never get tired of this climb. Photo by Wednesday Hugus.
A bad day for climbing in Sedona.
[Hide Photo] A bad day for climbing in Sedona.
Updated improved view from Airport Lookout.  Man what a beautiful place.  March 09.
[Hide Photo] Updated improved view from Airport Lookout. Man what a beautiful place. March 09.
You've been warned...
[Hide Photo] You've been warned...
downtown Sedona from the base of Epitaph
[Hide Photo] downtown Sedona from the base of Epitaph
Morning Glory Spire (L.) to Steamboat Rock (R.) from 89A 11/16/07
[Hide Photo] Morning Glory Spire (L.) to Steamboat Rock (R.) from 89A 11/16/07
Cathedral Rock in Sedona
[Hide Photo] Cathedral Rock in Sedona
Overlook from near the airport at Sedona.  Still haven't climbed there, but it's on the list.
[Hide Photo] Overlook from near the airport at Sedona. Still haven't climbed there, but it's on the list.
The Boy in Slide Rock State Park.  March 09.
[Hide Photo] The Boy in Slide Rock State Park. March 09.
A great view to the South with a couple of beautiful spires.
[Hide Photo] A great view to the South with a couple of beautiful spires.
Sedona: A Day At The Beach
[Hide Photo] Sedona: A Day At The Beach
Winter sunset from base of coyote tower.
[Hide Photo] Winter sunset from base of coyote tower.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

[Hide Comment] Weather link for Sedona, AZ: forecast.weather.gov/MapCli… Mar 10, 2012
Manny Rangel
PAYSON
[Hide Comment] Going to the party for the new guidebook!


Jun 27, 2012
[Hide Comment] ill be in sedona in march and was looking for a local climbing guide, since i will only have my shoes and a harness with me, know of anybody i could contact?? Feb 3, 2014
Keith Preston
Santa Cruz, CA
[Hide Comment] I'm heading to the Sedona area in late September and looking for a guide. I'm an experienced climber but just visting and have an extra day. I'd like to hook up with someone that knows the routes and area well. Any help? Jun 22, 2014
Tyler M
Northern AZ
[Hide Comment] Some footage from a trip up Bell Rock:

youtube.com/watch?v=a09hnfT… Jan 29, 2019
kalockwood
SLC, UT
[Hide Comment] In the rain and wet rock section, the page states: "There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby."

Perhaps list a few of these areas to help out anyone who is not from the area and does not know where to find these other rock types. Dec 5, 2022
[Hide Comment] A starting point might be The Pit for Limestone, Granite Mountain for, uh..., Paradise Forks for Basalt, and Flagstaff Climbing for Plastic.

Good luck, and I hope you didn't languish in despair due to it raining on your vaycay! Dec 6, 2022
Kirsten Locke
London
[Hide Comment] New to sedona! I’ve got a double trad rack can lead up to around 5.10. Looking to get out and climb with someone Mar 6, 2023