Arizona · Rock climbing · Tucson · Near Oracle

Sabino Canyon

Sabino CanyonPhoto: Raquel Baranow from Tucson, Arizona, U$A, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
11 routes
5.5 – 5.11
Trad
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Sabino Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Sabino Canyon, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Catalina Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sabino Canyon is a climbing area in Arizona's Coronado National Forest, within the Santa Catalina Ranger District, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a network of trails and camping in the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area, with the Sabino Historic mountain biking trail just 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all traditional, and the 11 routes run from 5.5 to 5.11. Among them are Pandora's Tower at 5.5 and Sisyphus at 5.11, with Echo Dancer at 5.9+ and Hard to Swallow at 5.10. The Five-Thirteen Wall and Pinhead Wall climbing areas lie within about 3 miles. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. A nearby weather station records typical averages of about 74°F highs in March and 86°F in October, while June and July typically climb to around 100°F.

Around this trail

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

    Sabino Canyon Recreation Area Cactus Ramada 1

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 19 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Oracle
  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Sabino Canyon

    Best months: November–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

      65° / 41°

    2. Feb

      68° / 43°

    3. Mar

      74° / 48°

    4. Apr

      82° / 54°

    5. May

      91° / 62°

    6. Jun

      101° / 72°

    7. Jul

      100° / 74°

    8. Aug

      98° / 73°

    9. Sep

      94° / 69°

    10. Oct

      86° / 59°

    11. Nov

      75° / 48°

    12. Dec

      65° / 41°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Saguaro Np, AZ, 11.2 mi away at 3,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (11)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Forgotten Wall, Control Tower & Up The Creek WallPhoto: Shepard4711, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Forgotten Wall, Control Tower & Up The Creek Wall

~7 min drive

44-route climbing area in Arizona with sport and trad options across 19 grades.

BishopPhoto: Outdoor Craziness, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bishop

~7 min drive

Bishop in Arizona has 7 climbing routes with mixed and sport styles.

KingPhoto: Outdoor Craziness, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

King

~7 min drive

King in Arizona has 11 mixed and sport climbing routes across 7 grades.

Lorax & Ball ReturnPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lorax & Ball Return

~7 min drive

Lorax & Ball Return in Arizona has 8 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering sport and traditional styles.

KnightPhoto: Outdoor Craziness, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Knight

~7 min drive

Knight in Arizona has 6 sport climbing routes across 4 difficulty grades.

CheckerboardPhoto: Bryan Pocius, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Checkerboard

~7 min drive

Checkerboard is a climbing crag in Arizona with 5 routes.

Pawn & ChessapeakPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pawn & Chessapeak

~7 min drive

Pawn & Chessapeak in Arizona has 12 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Chessman AreaPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Chessman Area

~7 min drive

Chessman Area in Arizona has 2 sport climbing routes.

One Day WallPhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

One Day Wall

~7 min drive

One Day Wall in Arizona has 7 routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

Andy Cook WallPhoto: Bryan Pocius, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Andy Cook Wall

~7 min drive

Andy Cook Wall is a sport climbing crag in Arizona with 7 routes on 4 difficulty grades.