Arizona · Rock climbing · Payson

West Point

11 routes
5.5 – 5.12b
Trad
Mar–May, Oct
best months

Is West Point open right now?

Closure in the area

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

West Point is a climbing area in the Payson Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, with The Joint and Stewart Pocket both about 0.2 miles away and Stewart Peak about 0.3 miles off. The Joint and Stewart Pocket are the closest neighbors, and the Bolder Trail is a hike about 0.4 miles away. The climbing here is all trad, with 11 routes on record. The grades run from 5.5 up to 5.12b, and the median is 5.10-. Five Easy Pieces is the easiest route at 5.5, and Major Tom is the hardest at 5.12b. The area is a compact cluster of crags, so it works well for a short session or a day spent exploring several nearby spots. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from the Payson weather station, about 4.3 miles away, show May highs around 80°F and October highs around 76°F, while July averages climb to about 93°F and August brings the most wet days of the year.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Oct

    Best time to visit West Point

    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, 4.3 mi away at 4,850 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (11)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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

Stewart Pocket

Next door

Stewart Pocket in Arizona has 16 climbing routes across 10 difficulty grades, featuring bouldering pads, top-rope, and trad.

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

Stewart Peak

Next door

Stewart Peak in Arizona has 20 climbing routes across 13 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

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

Whipper Wall

Next door

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

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

Tombstone

~1 min drive

Tombstone in Arizona has 7 climbing routes across 6 grades, offering sport and trad options.

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

John Rae Dome

~1 min drive

John Rae Dome in Arizona has 10 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

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

Tonto Buttress

~2 min drive

Tonto Buttress in Arizona has 5 climbing routes across 4 grades, offering sport and trad styles.

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

West Clear Creek

~41 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 13 traditional climbing routes across 9 difficulty grades.

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

West Clear Creek

~42 min drive

West Clear Creek in Arizona has 6 bouldering routes across 3 grades.

Quickie WallPhoto: Coconino National Forest, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Quickie Wall

~42 min drive

Quickie Wall is a climbing area in Arizona with 5 trad routes.

CLIMB

The Joint

Next door

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