Arizona · Rock climbing · Granite Basin Summer Homes · Near Prescott

Waves of Rock

Waves of RockPhoto: Chris English, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
5.4 – 5.8
Trad · Mixed
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Waves of Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Prescott National Forest. It doesn't name Waves of Rock, so check the source for the area it covers (5 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Prescott National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Waves of Rock is a climbing area in the Bradshaw Ranger District of Prescott National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and recreation spots, with Boulderland and the Southeast Face both about 0.1 mile away and the Granite Basin Recreation Area at a similar distance. The climbing here is a small, compact set of five routes, with three of them done in trad and two in mixed style. The grades run from 5.4 to 5.8, with Banzai at 5.6 and the Original Route and What the Hail at 5.8. Hang Ten, a mixed route at 5.4, was first climbed by Rusty Baillie in 1987. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Prescott show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 73°F, while July and August average about 90°F with more wet days. Yavapai Campground is about a mile away for an overnight stay. West Lake and Mint Wash are both hikes within about 0.2 mile.

Around this trail

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

    Yavapai Camp Ground

    Campground

    Campground · 1.0 mi from the trail
  • If it rainsDoncram, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Sharlot Hall Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 6.6 mi from Prescott

    An open-air museum located in Prescott, Arizona

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Doncram, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Prescott
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Waves of Rock

    Best months: March–May and September–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

      53° / 24°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      55° / 26°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 32°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 37°

      3 wet

    5. May

      76° / 45°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 54°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 61°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 60°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 52°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 40°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      62° / 30°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 24°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Prescott, AZ, 7.4 mi away at 5,205 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)

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