Arizona · Rock climbing · Fort McDowell

Upper Canyon

Upper CanyonPhoto: davidpinter, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
3 routes
V3 – V4
Bouldering
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Upper Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Upper Canyon is a bouldering area in the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and camping spots, with Bagley Flat campground about a mile away and the Lower Canyon climbing area about 1.2 miles off. The area is a bouldering destination, with three routes listed, all bouldering. The Holy Path is a V3, and Villanueva is a V4. The climbing is short and compact, so it pairs well with a longer stay in the district. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Mormon Flat weather station show March highs around 77°F and November highs around 75°F, while July averages climb to about 106°F. Other nearby options include River Crag and Saguaro Lake, both about 1.6 miles away, and the Butcher Jones hike at about 1.7 miles.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Upper 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

      67° / 44°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      70° / 45°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      77° / 50°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      85° / 55°

      2 wet

    5. May

      94° / 64°

      1 wet

    6. Jun

      104° / 73°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      106° / 80°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      104° / 79°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      98° / 74°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      89° / 63°

      2 wet

    11. Nov

      75° / 52°

      2 wet

    12. Dec

      65° / 44°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mormon Flat, AZ, 2.8 mi away at 1,705 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (3)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Lower CanyonPhoto: davidpinter, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Canyon

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River CragPhoto: davidpinter, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Saguaro LakePhoto: davidpinter, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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