Arizona · Rock climbing · Mount Lemmon · Near Oracle

The Zoo

The ZooPhoto: Tanque Verde, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
8 routes
5.7 – 5.11a
Sport
Oct–May
best months

Is Zoo, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Santa Catalina Ranger District. It doesn't name Zoo, The, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

The Zoo is a sport climbing area in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest in Arizona, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and hiking destinations, with The Watering Hole and The Aviary both about 0.1 mile away and Molino Basin Campground about 0.2 mile off. The area has eight sport routes, with grades ranging from 5.7 to 5.11a. Pigmy Goat Pillar is the easiest at 5.7, and Queen Bee and Stinger are the hardest at 5.11a. The routes were first ascended by climbers including Nicki Manzanares, Don Wilson and Karen Wilson between December 2021 and February 2022. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Oracle run from highs around 71°F in April to 77°F in October, while summer highs climb into the low 90s.

Around this trail

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

    Molino Basin

    Campground

    Campground · 0.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Butler Hall

    Fast food

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Wildlife Viewing Area

    Viewpoint

    On your way back · 18 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Oracle
  • Best time to go · Oct–May

    Best time to visit The Zoo

    Best months: October–May. 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° / 35°

      6 wet

    2. Feb

      58° / 37°

      6 wet

    3. Mar

      64° / 42°

      6 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      3 wet

    5. May

      82° / 56°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      92° / 66°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 69°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      90° / 67°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      86° / 63°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      77° / 52°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      64° / 42°

      4 wet

    12. Dec

      55° / 36°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oracle 2 Se, AZ, 18.3 mi away at 4,510 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (8)

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