Arizona · Rock climbing · Near Superior

The Magma Gardens

The Magma GardensPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
22 routes
5.3 – 5.11b
Sport · Trad · Bouldering
Oct–Apr
best months

Is Magma Gardens, The open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Tonto National Forest.

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

The Magma Gardens is a climbing area in the Globe Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing areas, with The Mine Area and Upper Looner Land each about 0.1 mile away and Lower Looner Land about 0.2 mile away. The Garland Area is about 0.3 mile off. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Superior weather station show March highs around 72°F and November highs around 72°F, while July highs reach about 99°F. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet lower than the gardens, so temperatures here run cooler. The area has 22 routes, mostly sport climbing with a few trad and one boulder. Grades range from 5.3 to 5.11b, with the hardest route being Pissant Prairie Punk at 5.11b. Smitten Mitten is a trad route at 5.3, and Another Short Route (ASR) is a sport route at 5.9. Nearby, the Legends of Superior Trail is about a mile away and Oak Flat campground is about 1.4 miles away. Arnett Canyon Trail #218 and Telegraph Canyon Trail are both within about 4.5 miles.

Around this trail

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

    Oak Flat

    Campground

    Campground · 1.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Jalapeños

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Celia Blaylock aka Mattie Earp Grave Site

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Superior
  • Best time to go · Oct–Apr

    Best time to visit The Magma Gardens

    Best months: October–April. 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

      62° / 44°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      65° / 46°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      72° / 49°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      78° / 55°

      2 wet

    5. May

      87° / 64°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      97° / 73°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      99° / 77°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      97° / 76°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      93° / 72°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      84° / 63°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      72° / 52°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      62° / 44°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Superior, AZ, 1.4 mi away at 2,860 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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