Arizona · Rock climbing · Flagstaff · Near Kachina Village

Insomnia Canyon

Insomnia CanyonPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
14 routes
5.10+ – 5.13+
Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Insomnia Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Insomnia Canyon, 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.

Insomnia Canyon is a climbing area in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, part of the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the canyon sits within designated wilderness, which sets it apart as a backcountry destination rather than a developed recreation area. The climbing here is all trad, with 14 routes spread across the canyon. The grades run from 5.10+ to 5.13+, with the median around 5.11+. Among the named routes are Enter Sandman at 5.11, Heir To The Throne at 5.12-, and Daedalus at 5.13+. 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 averages about 90°F. Several other spots lie within a few miles. The West Fork #108 hike is under a mile away, and The Snort Wall and The Pharmacy climbing areas are both within about 2 miles. Cave Spring campground is roughly 2.3 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Cave Springs

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Chipotle

    Fast food

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit Insomnia Canyon

    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, 2.9 mi away at 5,118 ft. The station sits about 900 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)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The Snort WallPhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Snort Wall

~3 min drive

Snort Wall in Arizona has 8 routes with mixed climbing.

The PharmacyPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Pharmacy

~4 min drive

6 climbing routes in Arizona spanning 5 difficulty grades, mixed and sport styles.

West ForkPhoto: Larry Lane; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Fork

~4 min drive

West Fork in Arizona has 8 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

The Reception AreaPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Reception Area

~4 min drive

Reception Area, The in Arizona has 8 routes across 7 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

The Doctor's OfficePhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Doctor's Office

~4 min drive

Doctor's Office, The in Arizona has 8 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

Cave SpringsPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cave Springs

~4 min drive

Cave Springs in Arizona has 3 trad climbing routes spanning 3 difficulty grades.

The Outpatient ClinicPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Outpatient Clinic

~4 min drive

Outpatient Clinic, Arizona climbing crag with 9 routes.

The Coke Wall AreaPhoto: Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Coke Wall Area

~6 min drive

Coke Wall Area, The in Arizona has 1 climbing route with mixed protection.

Switchbacks OverlookPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Switchbacks Overlook

~6 min drive

6 traditional climbing routes in Arizona at Switchbacks Overlook.

Lower Pumphouse WashPhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Lower Pumphouse Wash

~6 min drive

Lower Pumphouse Wash in Arizona has 21 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.