Arizona · Rock climbing · Pine

East Verde

3 routes
5.11a – 5.12-
Trad
Feb–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is East Verde open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name East Verde, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

East Verde is a climbing area in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, on the Payson Ranger District. The land is managed by the Forest Service, and the closest climbing neighbor is The Library, about 0.2 miles away. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable conditions. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run highs around 70°F in April and 74°F in October. Midsummer highs climb to about 91°F in July, and winter lows dip to around 30°F. Three trad routes make up the climbing here, and all grade between 5.11a and 5.12-. They are Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee, Apache Prize Fighter and Reading Between the Lines. Houston Mesa Campground and Houston Mesa Group sit about 3 miles off, and the East Verde River, about 4.5 miles away, offers canoeing. John Rae Dome, roughly 7 miles out, is another climbing area.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit East Verde

    Best months: February–May and September–November. 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

      54° / 30°

    2. Feb

      57° / 32°

    3. Mar

      64° / 36°

    4. Apr

      70° / 41°

    5. May

      79° / 48°

    6. Jun

      88° / 58°

    7. Jul

      91° / 65°

    8. Aug

      89° / 62°

    9. Sep

      84° / 57°

    10. Oct

      74° / 46°

    11. Nov

      63° / 36°

    12. Dec

      53° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Natural Brg, AZ, 5.9 mi away at 4,608 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (3)

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