Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson

Tombstone

TombstonePhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
7 routes
5.2 – 5.11+
Trad · Sport
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Tombstone open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Tombstone is a climbing area in Arizona's Tonto National Forest, on the Payson Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots that cluster closely together. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to climb. Typical averages from the Payson weather station, about 5 miles away, show April highs near 72°F and October highs near 76°F, while July and August climb into the low 90s. The climbing at Tombstone mixes trad and sport routes, with grades ranging from 5.2 to 5.11+. Among the routes are Walk Up (5.2 trad), The Efficiency Trap (5.10- sport) and Don't Hit the Ledges! (5.11+ trad). Hippy Dome and The Altar are both within a mile, and the Bolder Trail is about a mile away for a hike. Houston Mesa Campground, roughly 5 miles off, is the closest place to camp.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit Tombstone

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

Routes (7)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

Whipper Wall

~1 min drive

Whipper Wall in Arizona has 5 routes ranging from easy to hard, offering sport and trad climbing.

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

Stewart Peak

~1 min drive

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

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

Stewart Pocket

~1 min drive

Stewart Pocket in Arizona has 16 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads, top-rope, and trad.

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

John Rae Dome

~2 min drive

John Rae Dome in Arizona has 10 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

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

Tonto Buttress

~3 min drive

Tonto Buttress in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 4 grades, offering sport and trad styles.

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

West Clear Creek

~41 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 difficulty grades.

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

West Clear Creek

~42 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 6 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

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

Quickie Wall

~42 min drive

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

CLIMB

Hippy Dome

Next door

Hippy Dome in Arizona has 14 routes with 10 difficulty grades.

CLIMB

The Altar

Next door

Altar, The is a climbing crag in Arizona with 5 routes.