Arizona · Rock climbing · Sedona · Near Kachina Village

Gibraltar Rock Area

Gibraltar Rock AreaPhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3 routes
5.9 – 5.10
Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Gibraltar Rock Area open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Gibraltar Rock Area, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Gibraltar Rock Area is a climbing area in the Munds Mountain Wilderness, part of the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits within designated wilderness. The climbing here is all trad, with three routes ranging from 5.9 to 5.10. Creationism and Sedona's Scenic Cruise are both 5.9, and IMAX Experience is 5.10. Sedona's Scenic Cruise was first climbed by John Burcham and James Q Martin in 2001, and IMAX Experience by Derek and Giselle Field in April 2017. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Oak Creek Canyon show May highs around 78°F and October highs around 74°F, while July highs reach about 90°F. Crown Butte, a climbing area, is about 0.3 miles away, and the Church Spires Area is about 0.8 miles away. For camping, Chavez Crossing is about 2.2 miles away and Crescent Moon Ramada about 3.3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Chavez Crossing

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Dec 4 on Recreation.gov
  • If it rains

    Stan Rose Images

    Gallery

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Gibraltar Rock Area

    Best months: March–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° / 31°

    3. Mar

      64° / 35°

    4. Apr

      70° / 39°

    5. May

      78° / 46°

    6. Jun

      88° / 54°

    7. Jul

      90° / 61°

    8. Aug

      88° / 60°

    9. Sep

      84° / 54°

    10. Oct

      74° / 44°

    11. Nov

      63° / 36°

    12. Dec

      53° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oak Creek Canyon, AZ, 9.6 mi away at 5,118 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (3)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Crown ButtePhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crown Butte

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Church Spires AreaPhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Church Spires Area

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East Twin ButtePhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

East Twin Butte

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Lower Religion WallPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Upper Religion WallPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Church WallPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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VaticanPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Oak Creek Spire AreaPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Upper BeachPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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