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Arizona · Rock Climbing
Mount Lemmon sits above Tucson at roughly 9,157 feet, and the granite up here is a different world from the desert floor an hour below.
100 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 100 spots
Mount Lemmon sits above Tucson at roughly 9,157 feet, and the granite up here is a different world from the desert floor an hour below. The climbing is concentrated across a spread of crags and spires — Skillsaw Crag, Sixty Second Wall, and Tri-Level Spire among the named areas — with over 1,700 active listings that run the full range from single-pitch sport routes to boulder problems. The rock is coarse Catalina granite, which means good friction and solid edges, though it can be hard on skin on longer days. Route names like Bottom Feeder, Hot And Wet, and Belfast Breakfast give you a sense of the community that developed this area — it has personality. Bouldering is well represented too, with problems like Shark!, Dry Rain, Heart Shaped Glasses, and Molyneux's Problem spread across the mountain. Because of the elevation, Mount Lemmon stays climbable through summer when the rest of southern Arizona is baking, which makes it genuinely useful as a year-round destination rather than just a shoulder-season option. Spring and fall bring the most consistent conditions, but summer afternoons at elevation are often cooler than a winter day in Phoenix. The approach to most areas is off the Catalina Highway, so access is straightforward — no long approaches or remote trailheads for the majority of routes.
Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) give you the most reliable temperatures and dry rock. Summer is legitimately good at elevation — the mountain sits above 9,000 feet, so July and August afternoons are often in the 70s when Tucson is over 100. Winter is climbable on sunny days but expect cold mornings and occasional snow or ice on the rock.
The area has a wide spread. There are approachable single-pitch routes for newer leaders alongside harder technical climbing and bouldering problems that will challenge experienced climbers. Areas like Sixty Second Wall and Skillsaw Crag have enough variety that a group with mixed abilities can usually find something for everyone. Check a current guidebook or Mountain Project for specific grade breakdowns before committing to a crag.
Lizard Rock
~0 min drive
Desert climbing at Lizard Rock in Arizona with varied routes for developing climbers.
Right Crack
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Lower-middle difficulty climb in Colonel Birdseye sector at Windy Ridge.
Witness to a Heist (Lower Sit)
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One of the harder problems at Lizard Rock. First ascent by RD.
Lonesome Pine
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Arizona crag with accessible climbing and scenic desert views.
Aid Crack
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Mid-range climb in the Colonel Birdseye sector at Windy Ridge.
The Mollusk
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Entry-level route among nine climbs catalogued at Lizard Rock.
K12
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Arizona climbing area with varied routes and approachable terrain.
Easy route
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The easiest climb catalogued at Windy Ridge, in the Colonel Birdseye sector.
One Last Big Job
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The hardest climb at Lizard Rock. First ascent by Alex McIntyre, May 2017.
Old Dude Attitude
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Near the top of Lizard Rock's grade span among 11 catalogued routes.
Wooglin's Revenge
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Mid-range climb in Zschiesche Boulder sector; FA Bob Murray.
Goodbye Blues Monday
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One of five routes at Lonesome Pine; uses bolts and placed gear together.
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Rock climbing
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
Bouldering
Mount Lemmon, Arizona
The Catalina Highway passes through the Coronado National Forest, and there is a fee to drive up (collected at the Santa Catalina Ranger District checkpoint). Beyond that, most climbing areas do not require a separate climbing permit, but regulations can change — confirm current requirements with the Coronado National Forest before your trip, especially for any wilderness zones.
Most routes are sport or trad on granite, so a standard rack covers the majority of climbing. The coarse rock is rough on skin, so tape and extra chalk are worth packing. Temperatures drop quickly at elevation after sunset, so bring a layer even on warm days. Sun exposure varies by crag — some walls get shade by early afternoon, which matters in summer.
The Catalina Highway (also called the Sky Island Scenic Byway) is the main access road and connects Tucson to the upper mountain. Most crags are accessed from pullouts or short walks off this road, so you don't need a high-clearance vehicle for the majority of areas. Parking at popular spots can fill up on weekends, especially in spring and fall — arriving early in the morning helps.
