Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson

Hippy Dome

14 routes
5.7 – 5.11c
Trad
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Hippy Dome open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Hippy Dome, 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.

Hippy Dome is a climbing area in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Tombstone just 0.1 mile away and The Altar and Stewart Peak within half a mile. The area is a traditional climbing destination. Of its 14 routes, all are trad, and they range from 5.7 to 5.11c. Blinky is the easiest at 5.7, and Mike's Crack is the hardest at 5.11c. Likes and Views and Pinky are both 5.9, and Mannventure is 5.11a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb. Typical averages from the nearby Payson weather station show April highs around 72°F and October highs around 76°F, while July averages reach 93°F and August brings the most wet days of the year. The Bolder Trail is about a mile away for a hike, and Houston Mesa Campground is roughly 4.5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit Hippy Dome

    Best months: March–May and October. 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° / 26°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 28°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      65° / 32°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      72° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      80° / 43°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      90° / 51°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      93° / 60°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      91° / 59°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      76° / 41°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 31°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 26°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Payson, AZ, 4.9 mi away at 4,850 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (14)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

TombstonePhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tombstone

Next door

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

Stewart PeakPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Stewart Peak

Next door

Stewart Peak in Arizona has 20 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Stewart PocketPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Stewart Pocket

~1 min drive

Stewart Pocket in Arizona has 16 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads, top-rope, and trad.

John Rae DomePhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

John Rae Dome

~2 min drive

John Rae Dome in Arizona has 10 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

Tonto ButtressPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tonto Buttress

~3 min drive

Tonto Buttress in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 4 grades, offering sport and trad styles.

West Clear CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Clear Creek

~41 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 difficulty grades.

West Clear CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Clear Creek

~42 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 6 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

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

Quickie Wall

~42 min drive

Quickie Wall is a climbing area in Arizona with 5 trad routes.

Whipper WallPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whipper Wall

Next door

Whipper Wall in Arizona has 5 routes ranging from easy to hard, offering sport and trad climbing.

CLIMB

The Altar

Next door

Altar, The is a climbing crag in Arizona with 5 routes.