Arizona · Rock climbing · Littlefield

Virgin River Gorge

Virgin River GorgePhoto: isydia Vibes, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
2 routes
5.7 – 5.12c
Sport
Feb–May, Oct–Nov
best months

The Virgin River Gorge is a climbing area in Arizona's Beaver Dam Mountains Wilderness, on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Arizona Strip Field Office. It sits within the wilderness, so it is a backcountry destination rather than a developed recreation site. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in St. George, Utah, show April highs around 75°F and October highs around 79°F, while July averages about 102°F and winter lows dip to the upper 20s. The area has two sport climbing routes, Only Just This at 5.7 and Sweaty Money at 5.12c, both first ascents recorded in the past few years. Several other climbing areas lie about 1.4 miles away, including Planet Earth Wall, Mentor Cave and Blasphemy Wall. The Virgin River, a paddling route, is about 1.8 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Feb–May, Oct–Nov

    Best time to visit Virgin River Gorge

    Best months: February–May and October–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° / 28°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      68° / 39°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      75° / 46°

      3 wet

    5. May

      85° / 55°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      96° / 64°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      102° / 72°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      100° / 70°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      92° / 61°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      79° / 47°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 35°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 28°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at St George, UT, 18.1 mi away at 2,857 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (2)

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