New Mexico · Rock climbing · Jemez Springs

Gateway Rock

11-route climbing area in New Mexico with mixed and sport climbing.

11 routes
5.6 – 5.11b
Sport · Mixed

Is Gateway Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Jemez Ranger District. It doesn't name Gateway Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Jemez Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Gateway Rock

Best months: May–June and September. 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° / 9°

    9 wet

  2. Feb

    38° / 12°

    9 wet

  3. Mar

    44° / 20°

    9 wet

  4. Apr

    52° / 25°

    8 wet

  5. May

    62° / 32°

    8 wet

  6. Jun

    72° / 39°

    8 wet

  7. Jul

    74° / 45°

    15 wet

  8. Aug

    71° / 43°

    15 wet

  9. Sep

    66° / 35°

    11 wet

  10. Oct

    57° / 26°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    45° / 17°

    6 wet

  12. Dec

    36° / 9°

    9 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Los Alamos 13 W, NM, 3 mi away at 8,716 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Gateway Rock is a climbing area in the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among several other climbing spots, with Grotto and Chilly Willy Wall just 0.1 mile away and Cattle Call Wall Area at 0.2 mile. Summer is the most comfortable time to climb. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Los Alamos run to highs of about 74°F in July, with lows in the mid-40s. That station sits at a similar elevation to the rock, so temperatures here should be comparable. July and August also bring the most wet days of the year, about 15 each month. Jemez Falls Campground is about 4 miles away for an overnight stay, and the East Fork Trail (137) is under a mile off for a hike.