Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson

Tonto Buttress

Tonto ButtressPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
5.6 – 5.11-
Trad · Sport
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is Tonto Buttress open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Tonto Buttress is a climbing area in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits close to the town of Payson, and John Rae Dome, another climbing area, lies just 0.3 miles away. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Payson show May highs around 80°F with lows near 43°F, and October highs around 76°F with lows near 41°F. That station sits about 500 feet lower than the buttress, so expect it to run a little cooler on the rock. Nearby options include the Bolder Trail and the Joint climbing area, both about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Houston Mesa Campground is about 4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit Tonto Buttress

    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, 3.5 mi away at 4,850 ft. The station sits about 500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

John Rae Dome

Next door

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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

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

Tombstone

~3 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

~42 min drive

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

West Clear Creek

~42 min drive

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

Whipper Wall

~3 min drive

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

CLIMB

The Joint

~2 min drive

12-route climbing area in Arizona with sport and trad options.

CLIMB

West Point

~2 min drive

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