Colorado · Rock climbing · Glenwood Springs

Dead Horse Crag

Dead Horse Crag in Colorado has 8 routes across 5 grades, offering mixed and sport climbing.

8 routes
5.9 – 5.11+
Mixed · Sport

Is Dead Horse Crag open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in White River National Forest. It doesn't name Dead Horse Crag, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Best time to visit Dead Horse Crag

Best months: April–June 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

    36° / 15°

    10 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 20°

    10 wet

  3. Mar

    53° / 28°

    10 wet

  4. Apr

    61° / 35°

    11 wet

  5. May

    71° / 44°

    10 wet

  6. Jun

    83° / 51°

    7 wet

  7. Jul

    89° / 59°

    7 wet

  8. Aug

    87° / 58°

    9 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 50°

    8 wet

  10. Oct

    65° / 38°

    8 wet

  11. Nov

    49° / 27°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    36° / 16°

    9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Shoshone, CO, 0.4 mi away at 5,992 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Dead Horse Crag is a climbing area in the Eagle Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing spots, with East Canyon, Quartzite Wasteland and Hole Wall all about 0.1 mile away. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Shoshone weather station show May highs around 71°F and September highs near 79°F, while July peaks around 89°F and winter highs hover in the mid-30s. The Defiance hike is about 1.2 miles away, and the Grizzly Creek mountain biking area is about 1.6 miles off. Glenwood Canyon Resort offers camping about 3.9 miles away, and the Glenwood Springs Area fishing is about 5.7 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive