Arizona · Rock climbing · Sedona · Near Kachina Village

Secret Canyon

Secret CanyonPhoto: davidpinter, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
5.7 – 5.11
Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Secret Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name Secret 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.

Secret Canyon is a climbing area in the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in northern Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of trails and climbing spots, with the Dry Creek Road Area and the Mescal #174C hike each about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all trad, with five routes ranging from 5.7 to 5.11. The easiest is Sparrow Spire at 5.7, and the hardest is Desert Mule at 5.11. The routes are named for their spires, including Rotten Rock Spire and Snaggletooth Spire, and the first ascents are listed for each. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Oak Creek Canyon weather station show highs around 70°F in April and 74°F in October, while July highs reach about 90°F. Other climbing is close by at Lookout Tower, about a mile away. For an overnight stay, Chavez Crossing campground is roughly 6 miles off, and paddlers can head to Oak Creek, about 6 miles away.

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  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Secret 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, 6 mi away at 5,118 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

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