Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

Choo Choo Rock

Choo Choo RockPhoto: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
7 routes
5.8 – 5.10c/d
Sport · Trad
Oct–May
best months

Is Choo Choo Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Choo Choo Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Choo Choo Rock is a climbing area in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing areas, with Wall of the Flying Scorpions, Train Station and Weathertop all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here mixes sport and trad routes, with seven routes in total. Grades range from 5.8 to 5.10c/d, and the hardest is Fright Train, a sport route at 5.10c/d. Among the named routes are Choo Choo Chaboogey, a trad 5.8, and Chattanooga Choo Choo, a sport 5.10+. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Oracle run highs around 71°F in April and 77°F in October, while June and July average highs near 91°F. The station sits at about 4,500 feet, so temperatures on the rock may run a bit cooler.

Around this trail

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

    Molino Basin Group

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 6 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 20 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Choo Choo Rock

    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

      56° / 35°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 37°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 42°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      3 wet

    5. May

      82° / 56°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      92° / 66°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 69°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 67°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 63°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      77° / 52°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 42°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 36°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oracle 2 Se, AZ, 19.4 mi away at 4,510 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (7)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Train StationPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Train Station

Next door

Train Station in Arizona has 15 climbing routes across 11 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Lockdown RockPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lockdown Rock

Next door

Lockdown Rock in Arizona has 10 sport climbing routes across 8 difficulty grades.

Amateur Hour CragPhoto: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Amateur Hour Crag

Next door

Amateur Hour Crag in Arizona has 15 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

The Expansion Pack.Photo: vaxomatic, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

The Expansion Pack.

Next door

6-route climbing area in Arizona with sport and trad options on 6 difficulty grades.

The Watering HolePhoto: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Watering Hole

~2 min drive

Watering Hole in Arizona has 7 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Lower HighwayPhoto: Tanque Verde, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Highway

~2 min drive

Lower Highway in Arizona has 9 climbing routes across 7 grades.

The ZooPhoto: Tanque Verde, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

The Zoo

~2 min drive

Zoo, The is a sport climbing crag in Arizona with 8 routes.

The AviaryPhoto: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Aviary

~2 min drive

Aviary in Arizona has 6 routes ranging from moderate to hard, offering sport and traditional climbing.

Bug Spring WallPhoto: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bug Spring Wall

~3 min drive

Bug Spring Wall in Arizona has 18 routes across 11 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad climbing.

Stonewall (aka Airmen Peak)Photo: Katja Schulz from Washington, D. C., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Stonewall (aka Airmen Peak)

~4 min drive

14 trad routes at Stonewall (Airmen Peak) in Arizona span 9 difficulty grades.