Arizona · Rock climbing · Munds Park · Near Kachina Village

James Canyon

James CanyonPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
5.11c – 5.13a
Sport
May–Jul, Sep
best months

Blocked today

Weather is adverse; agency alerts are in effect for this area · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 55 min ago

Is James Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name James Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

James Canyon is a sport climbing area in the Flagstaff Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Ultimates West and Ultimates East each about 1.2 miles away. The climbing here is all sport, and the routes run from about 5.11c up to 5.13a. Five routes are listed, including Hidden Owl at 5.11c, All Eyez on Me at 5.12d and Uncle Kentucky at 5.13a. The grades are typical of the area's sport climbing, and the routes are all named with their first ascents. For timing, late spring and early fall are the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mund's Park show May highs around 69°F and October highs around 66°F, while July and August bring the most wet days. Pine Flat Campground West is about 3.2 miles away, and the Howard hike is about 1.5 miles off. Oak Creek, a canoeing spot, is about 7 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Pumphouse Wash (FR 237) Dispersed Camping Area

    Campground

    Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Mess Hall

    Museum

    Museum · 6.3 mi from Kachina Village

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit James Canyon

    Best months: May–July and September. 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

      46° / 17°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      47° / 19°

      7 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 23°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 27°

      4 wet

    5. May

      69° / 34°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 49°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 50°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 41°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 31°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      54° / 22°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mund'S Park, AZ, 8.6 mi away at 6,470 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

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

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Oak Creek Canyon OverlookPhoto: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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The OverlookPhoto: InSapphoWeTrust from Los Angeles, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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

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