Arizona · Rock climbing · Sedona · Near Kachina Village

South Mesa

South MesaPhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
6 routes
5.9+ – 5.12b
Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is South Mesa open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Coconino National Forest. It doesn't name South Mesa, 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.

South Mesa is a climbing area in the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and riding spots, with The Mace and North Mesa both about 0.1 mile away and the Hardline mountain biking trail at a similar distance. The climbing here is all trad, with six routes ranging from 5.9+ to 5.12-. The South Face, The Dodger is the easiest at 5.9+, and New Age Rage and Enter the Vortex are among the harder options at 5.11- and 5.12-. The routes are named with their grades and first ascents, so climbers can pick a line based on their experience. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Oak Creek Canyon weather station show May highs around 78°F and October highs around 74°F, while July and August average about 90°F. Camping is close by at Crescent Moon Ramada, about 1.1 miles away, and Chavez Crossing is about 2 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Crescent Moon Ranch Cabin

    Campground

    The next 8 weekends are full on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Mesa Grill

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 2 mi
  • If it rains

    Stan Rose Images

    Gallery

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

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

    Best time to visit South Mesa

    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, 10 mi away at 5,118 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

The MacePhoto: On^ste82, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Mace

Next door

Mace, The is a climbing area in Arizona with 8 routes.

North MesaPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Mesa

Next door

North Mesa in Arizona has 8 trad routes across 7 difficulty grades.

Cathedral Rock AreaPhoto: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cathedral Rock Area

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Cathedral Rock Area in Arizona has 3 trad climbing routes.

Village of Oak CreekPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Village of Oak Creek

~3 min drive

6 routes, 5 grades, sport and trad climbing at Village of Oak Creek in Arizona.

The PlanetariumPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

The Planetarium

~3 min drive

Planetarium in Arizona has 15 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering sport and trad options.

Lower BeachPhoto: jasonwoodhead23, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Beach

~3 min drive

Lower Beach in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 5 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Upper BeachPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Upper Beach

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Upper Beach in Arizona has 12 climbing routes across 8 grades.

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

Genetic Wall

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Bell Rock / Courthouse ButtePhoto: Brady Smith; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte

~3 min drive

Bell Rock / Courthouse Butte in Arizona has 2 trad climbing routes.

VaticanPhoto: Andrew Gnias, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Vatican

~4 min drive

Vatican in Arizona has 6 climbing routes, 5.8 to 5.11c, sport and trad.