Observatory Rock
Observatory Rock in Colorado has 14 climbing routes across 12 grades in mixed, sport, and trad styles.
- 14 routes
- 5.8 – 5.11c
- Trad · Mixed · Sport
Is Observatory Rock open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests.
Fire Restrictions
Agency alert covering Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests · USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Caribou Road Closure Order
Agency alert covering Boulder Ranger District · Order 02-10-01-26-04 · USFS · Boulder Ranger District
Raptor Nesting Area Closure - Boulder Ranger District
Agency alert covering Boulder Ranger District · Order 02-10-01-26-06 · USFS · Boulder Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Observatory Rock
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.
Jan
47° / 21°
6 wet
Feb
48° / 22°
7 wet
Mar
57° / 29°
8 wet
Apr
63° / 34°
10 wet
May
71° / 43°
12 wet
Jun
83° / 51°
10 wet
Jul
88° / 57°
11 wet
Aug
86° / 55°
10 wet
Sep
79° / 48°
8 wet
Oct
66° / 37°
7 wet
Nov
54° / 28°
6 wet
Dec
46° / 21°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Boulder, CO, 13.9 mi away at 5,484 ft. The station sits about 600 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.
Observatory Rock is a climbing area in the Boulder Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colorado, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots and trails, with Coffintop and the Mechanical Man climbing area both about 0.1 mile away. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Boulder show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 79°F, with July peaking near 88°F. Platitudes, The, another climbing area, is about 0.2 mile away. Button Rock Trail is about 2 miles off, and South Saint Vrain Creek offers canoeing roughly 6 miles away. For an overnight stay, Peaceful Valley Campground is about 10 miles from the area.
Routes (14)
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