Arizona · Rock climbing · Oak Creek Canyon · Near Kachina Village

West Fork

West ForkPhoto: Larry Lane; Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
8 routes
5.9 – 5.12c
Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is West Fork open right now?

Closure reported

The Forest Service lists a closure that covers West Fork.

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

West Fork is a climbing area in the Red Rock Ranger District of Coconino National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of trails, campgrounds and other climbing spots, making it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding canyon country. The climbing here is all trad, with eight routes spread across a range of grades from 5.9 to 5.12c. The most straightforward is Eight Ball Tower - Rolling with the Eight Ball at 5.9, and the hardest is Quarantine Corner at 5.12c. Other options include Where The Mild Things Are at 5.11- and Where the Wild Things Are at 5.12. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Oak Creek Canyon weather station run from highs around 70°F in April to 74°F in October, while July highs average about 90°F. Several other destinations lie within a short distance. The Oak Creek Spur C hike is about 0.3 miles away, and the Cave Springs campground is about 0.4 miles off. The Snort Wall climbing area is about 0.5 miles away, and the Telephone Trail #72 hike is about 0.4 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Cave Springs

    Campground

    Campground · 0.4 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Chipotle

    Fast food

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit West Fork

    Best months: March–May and September–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° / 30°

    2. Feb

      57° / 31°

    3. Mar

      64° / 35°

    4. Apr

      70° / 39°

    5. May

      78° / 46°

    6. Jun

      88° / 54°

    7. Jul

      90° / 61°

    8. Aug

      88° / 60°

    9. Sep

      84° / 54°

    10. Oct

      74° / 44°

    11. Nov

      63° / 36°

    12. Dec

      53° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oak Creek Canyon, AZ, 2.2 mi away at 5,118 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • West Fork Temporary Area Closure - Extension to 10/31/26

      Coconino National Forest · Order dated September 26, 2026; seen Oct 26, 2026 → lifted Oct 31, 2026 · Forest Service

    • West Fork Temporary Area Closure - Extension to 2/27/27

      Coconino National Forest · Order dated November 1, 2026; seen Oct 26, 2026, no lift recorded · Forest Service

    • West Fork Temporary Area Closure - Extended

      Coconino National Forest · Order dated September 26, 2026; seen Sep 25, 2026 → lifted Oct 26, 2026 · Forest Service

    • West Fork Temporary Area Closure

      Coconino National Forest · Order dated September 17, 2026; seen Sep 14, 2026 → lifted Sep 30, 2026 · Forest Service

Routes (8)

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