Idaho · Rock climbing · Arco

Gateway Rock

Gateway Rock in Idaho offers 7 sport climbing routes across 6 difficulty grades.

7 routes
5.5 – 5.12-
Sport

Is Gateway Rock open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

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

Best time to visit Gateway Rock

Best months: April–June and August–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

    30° / 7°

    5 wet · 3 snow

  2. Feb

    35° / 12°

    4 wet · 2 snow

  3. Mar

    46° / 23°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    57° / 30°

    5 wet · 1 snow

  5. May

    67° / 39°

    6 wet

  6. Jun

    76° / 46°

    4 wet

  7. Jul

    87° / 52°

    2 wet

  8. Aug

    85° / 50°

    3 wet

  9. Sep

    75° / 41°

    4 wet

  10. Oct

    60° / 31°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    43° / 19°

    4 wet · 1 snow

  12. Dec

    31° / 9°

    5 wet · 2 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Arco, ID, 12.7 mi away at 5,325 ft. The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Gateway Rock is a climbing area in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, within the Lost River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots, including Mortal Earth, Rolling Stone and Classic Rock, all about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is sport, with seven routes spread across a range from 5.5 to 5.12-. The easiest is Swangin' at 5.5, and the hardest is The Boys are Back in Town at 5.12-. Most of the routes were bolted by Vernon Phinney and Chris Barnes in 2018, with Mike Engle also involved on some. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from the nearby Arco weather station, about 13 miles away, show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while winter highs stay near freezing. The station sits roughly 1,200 feet lower than the area, so temperatures at the rock run cooler.

Routes (7)