California · Rock climbing · Desert Hot Springs

South Cave Rock

South Cave Rock is a California climbing crag with 7 routes ranging from 5.10a to 5.12a.

South Cave RockPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
7 routes
5.6 – 5.10b
Trad · Sport

Is South Cave Rock open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists 3 alerts for Joshua Tree National Park.

  • Partial Trail Closure of West Side Loop

    Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

  • Inaccurate Third-Party Apps

    Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

  • Oasis of Mara Trail Partial Closure

    Park alert covering Joshua Tree National Park · NPS · Joshua Tree National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Joshua Tree National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit South Cave Rock

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

    58° / 38°

    4 wet

  2. Feb

    61° / 39°

    3 wet

  3. Mar

    67° / 40°

    3 wet

  4. Apr

    73° / 46°

    2 wet

  5. May

    82° / 52°

    1 wet

  6. Jun

    91° / 59°

    0 wet

  7. Jul

    96° / 66°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    96° / 68°

    2 wet

  9. Sep

    89° / 60°

    2 wet

  10. Oct

    80° / 50°

    1 wet

  11. Nov

    66° / 41°

    2 wet

  12. Dec

    58° / 34°

    4 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Yucca Valley, CA, 16.9 mi away at 3,249 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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.

South Cave Rock is a climbing area in Joshua Tree National Park, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the park's land, and a fee applies here. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Yucca Valley show April highs around 73°F with lows near 46°F, and October highs around 80°F with lows near 50°F. That station sits well below the park, so temperatures up high run cooler. North Cave Rock (South Face) and North Cave Rock (North Face) are both about 0.1 mile away, along with Ryan Mountain Trailhead and Sheep Pass Connector Trail. Sheep Pass Group campground is about 1.1 miles off.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

North Cave Rock (South Face)Photo: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North Cave Rock (South Face)

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North Cave Rock (North Face)Photo: Lukáš Lalinský, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Saddle Rocks - Skirt  (West Face)Photo: Akos Kokai, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Saddle Rocks - SkirtPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Saddle Rocks  - PommelPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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East Wall, North End (Diamond Dogs Area)Photo: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Saddle Rocks AreaPhoto: Seth Tisue, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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