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New Mexico · Rock Climbing
The rock climbing around Jemez Pueblo sits in a part of northern New Mexico that most climbers drive past on the way to more famous crags. That's a mistake.
53 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 53 spots
The rock climbing around Jemez Pueblo sits in a part of northern New Mexico that most climbers drive past on the way to more famous crags. That's a mistake. The area holds 53 active routes and areas spread across a landscape of volcanic tuff and canyon walls, with named climbing areas including Broken Arrows, Second Tunnel, Left Arrow, Right Arrow, and The Corridor giving you a sense of how the terrain is organized — distinct sectors rather than one monolithic wall. The route names alone signal the range of what's here: Old Punks on Crack and Double Sidewinder Splitter suggest crack climbing is part of the menu, while routes like Sierra Corazon, Trinity, and Dark Shadows point toward more technical face work. Wet Feet hints at canyon approaches that may involve water crossings depending on season. This is not a gym-to-crag destination where everything is bolted and obvious. You'll want to come with a rack, a topo or reliable beta, and some comfort navigating less-trafficked terrain. The Jemez Mountains reward climbers who do their homework before showing up.
Jemez Pueblo is sovereign tribal land, and access to areas on or adjacent to pueblo land requires explicit permission from the Pueblo of Jemez. Some climbing sectors in this region fall on Santa Fe National Forest land, which has different rules. Before your trip, confirm the land status of the specific area you plan to visit and contact the Pueblo of Jemez directly if there is any question about jurisdiction. Showing up without the right permissions can result in being turned away or trespassing on tribal land.
The route list includes names like Double Sidewinder Splitter and Old Punks on Crack, which strongly suggest crack and trad-style climbing is part of the mix. Bring a full rack including cams and nuts rather than assuming everything is bolted. Check current beta from a local shop in Albuquerque or Santa Fe before committing to a rack selection for a specific sector.
Gilman Tunnels
~0 min drive
Unique tunnel-formed climbing area in New Mexico with distinctive rock features.
Old Punks on Crack
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Right Arrow
~0 min drive
Desert climbing crag in New Mexico with varied routes for multiple skill levels.
Original Route
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Second Tunnel
~0 min drive
Versatile New Mexico crag with climbing for multiple skill levels.
Dough Boy
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Left Arrow
~0 min drive
Desert climbing area in New Mexico with varied climbing opportunities.
Hostile Takeover Variation
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Broken Arrows, The
~0 min drive
Versatile New Mexico crag with sport and trad climbing for mixed abilities.
All That Glitters
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Corridor, The
~0 min drive
Accessible New Mexico crag with climbing for multiple skill levels.
Roadside Distraction
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New Mexico.
Also worth it near here
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Rock climbing
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
Spring and fall are generally the most reliable seasons for climbing in the Jemez Mountains. Summer brings afternoon monsoon thunderstorms that can make rock wet and routes dangerous, particularly in canyon settings. The route name Wet Feet suggests at least some approaches involve water crossings, which can be affected by snowmelt in late spring. Winter climbing is possible on south-facing walls during clear stretches but elevation and shade can keep rock cold and icy.
There is no single widely published guidebook that covers this area comprehensively. Mountain Project has community-contributed beta for some Jemez-area crags, and local climbing shops in Albuquerque such as Stone Age Climbing Gym are a practical resource for current conditions and access updates. Calling ahead or posting in New Mexico climbing forums will get you more reliable information than relying solely on online topos, some of which are outdated.
With 53 routes across multiple sectors, there is likely a range of difficulty, but the overall character of the area — less-trafficked, requiring route-finding, with some approaches that may involve water crossings — makes it better suited to climbers who already have outdoor experience. Beginners would be better served starting at a more established crag with clear signage and well-documented routes before visiting here.