Arizona · Rock climbing · Benson · Near Whetstone

Bee Cave

14 routes
5.10d – 5.13d
Sport
Oct–May
best months

Is Bee Cave open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sierra Vista Ranger District. It doesn't name Bee 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.

Bee Cave is a sport climbing area in the Sierra Vista Ranger District of Coronado National Forest, about 3.9 miles from the Kartchner Caverns weather station, which makes it easy to pair with that destination. The Forest Service manages the land, and the climbing is entirely sport, with routes ranging from 5.10d up to 5.13d. That makes it a clear choice for climbers looking for a day of bolted rock in Arizona's southern highlands. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Kartchner Caverns station run from highs near 75°F in April to about 78°F in October, while summer highs climb into the mid-90s. Several other climbing areas sit close by. Superfly Sector is just 0.1 mile away, and The Dry Canyon and Swallow Wall are each about 0.7 mile off. For a hike, Dry Canyon Cliff Trail starts roughly 0.3 mile from the climbing.

Around this trail

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

    Kartchner Caverns Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bat Cave Café

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    O.K. Corral

    Museum

    Museum · 20 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 Bee 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, 3.9 mi away at 4,690 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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 (14)

Dragged Out and DustedFA: Luke Bertelsen, Cory Hanson - 20175.10dUnicorn InfestationFA: Cory Hanson, Luke Bertelsen - 20175.10dTammy Birkenstock Rides AgainFA: Luke Bertelsen, Cory Hanson, Hubert D'Autremont - July 20175.11bHood LoveFA: Luke Bertelsen, Tiffany Bertelsen - 20175.11dLife in ColorFA: Alex Kirkpatrick5.12+A Climb Called QuestFA: Cory Hanson, Luke Bertelsen - 20175.12aVeganatorFA: Trent Baker5.12aEmpty Nest SyndromeFA: Luke Bertelsen, Kemper Brightman - October 20175.12bSaxophone PotluckFA: Luke Bertelsen, Hubert D'Autremont, Jon Mavko, Cory Hanson, Gustavo Figueroa - April 20175.12b/cCream FillingFA: Luke Bertelsen, Hubert D'Autremont - March 20175.12cStranglehoffFA: Nate McCormick5.12cVeganator Extension5.12cAll Choked UpFA: Cory Hanson5.13bHoney SeekerFA: Luke Bertelsen, Tiffany Bertelsen - May 20175.13d