Arizona · Rock climbing · Benson · Near Whetstone

Spine Cave

15 routes
5.10+ – 5.13b
Sport
Oct–May
best months

Is Spine Cave open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra Vista Ranger District. It doesn't name Spine Cave, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Sierra Vista Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Spine Cave is a climbing area in Arizona's Coronado National Forest, on the Sierra Vista Ranger District. It is managed by the Forest Service, and several other climbing areas sit right next to it. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. A nearby weather station at Kartchner Caverns, about 4.5 miles away, records typical averages of 75°F highs and 45°F lows in April, and 78°F and 50°F in October. Summer is hot, with typical highs in the low to mid 90s from June through August. The routes here are all sport, with grades ranging from 5.10+ up to 5.13b. Among the 15 routes are Land Fill (5.10+), Crying Cult (5.12b) and Hackles Raised (5.13b). Swallow Wall, Celebrity Cave and Addendum Wall are each about 0.1 mile away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Kartchner Caverns Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 4.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bat Cave Café

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    O.K. Corral

    Museum

    Museum · 21 mi from Whetstone

    Livery and horse corral in Tombstone, Arizona (1879-1888)

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Whetstone
  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit Spine Cave

    Best months: October–May. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      59° / 33°

    2. Feb

      62° / 35°

    3. Mar

      69° / 40°

    4. Apr

      75° / 45°

    5. May

      84° / 52°

    6. Jun

      94° / 61°

    7. Jul

      91° / 65°

    8. Aug

      89° / 64°

    9. Sep

      86° / 59°

    10. Oct

      78° / 50°

    11. Nov

      68° / 39°

    12. Dec

      59° / 34°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Kartchner Caverns, AZ, 4.5 mi away at 4,690 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (15)