Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson

The Middle East

4 routes
V1 – V4
Bouldering
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Middle East, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Payson Ranger District. It doesn't name Middle East, The, 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.

The Middle East 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 other climbing spots, with Playground, The just 0.1 mile away and Tombstone about 0.7 mile off. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Payson weather station show April highs around 72°F and October highs around 76°F, while July averages climb to about 93°F. Whipper Wall is 0.3 mile away, and Tombstone is 0.7 mile away. For a hike, Bolder Trail is 0.8 mile off. Houston Mesa Group campground lies about 3.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit The Middle East

    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, 4.6 mi away at 4,850 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (4)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

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

Tombstone

~1 min drive

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

Stewart Pocket

~2 min drive

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

Stewart Peak

~2 min drive

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

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

John Rae Dome

~2 min drive

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

Tonto Buttress

~3 min drive

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

West Clear Creek

~40 min drive

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

West Clear Creek

~41 min drive

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

Quickie Wall

~41 min drive

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

CLIMB

The Playground

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Bouldering area in Arizona with 5 routes.