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Wyoming · Rock Climbing
Powell sits in the Bighorn Basin, and while it's better known for agriculture and the nearby Bighorn Canyon, the local climbing scene at The Mouth offers a compact but genuine set of routes worth making time for.
7 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 7 spots
Powell sits in the Bighorn Basin, and while it's better known for agriculture and the nearby Bighorn Canyon, the local climbing scene at The Mouth offers a compact but genuine set of routes worth making time for. The area hosts a mix of climbs ranging from entry-level to routes that will test experienced leaders — False Start and Back Pain suggest a wall that doesn't ease you in gently, while Forever and Colter's Rib point to lines with enough character to bring people back. With only seven active listings in the area, this isn't a destination you'd plan a two-week trip around on its own, but it's a solid half-day or full-day stop if you're passing through the basin or based in Powell for other reasons. The climbing is sandstone-country style — check conditions after rain, since wet rock here doesn't forgive the way granite sometimes does. Expect a quieter crag experience than you'd get at more trafficked Wyoming destinations, which is either a selling point or a warning depending on what you're after.
The Mouth is the primary climbing area associated with Powell's local rock climbing listings. The named routes in the area — including False Start, The Gauntlet, Forever, Back Pain, Colter's Rib, and M11 — are all located there. It's a single concentrated area rather than a sprawling multi-sector crag.
The route names in the current listings suggest a range that skews toward intermediate and experienced climbers. Names like Back Pain and The Gauntlet aren't marketing-friendly, which usually means the grades back that up. That said, False Start implies at least one route on the easier end. If you're a newer leader, go with someone who's climbed there before and can read the wall ahead of time.
Colter's Rib
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Mouth, The
Solid Wyoming crag with approachable climbing for developing climbers.
The Preservationist
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Forever
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Beartooth Pass
~19 min drive
High-altitude alpine climbing in Wyoming's Beartooth region.
The Eco-terrorist
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
False Start
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Absaroka Range
~27 min drive
Alpine climbing on Wyoming's dramatic Absaroka peaks.
M11
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Hideout Wall, The
~42 min drive
Wyoming crag with varied climbing on solid rock.
The Gauntlet
A worthwhile stop near Wyoming.
Just For Kix Wall
~42 min drive
Wyoming climbing area with accessible routes on solid rock.
Spring and fall are the most reliable windows in the Bighorn Basin. Summer temperatures in the basin can push into the 90s and above, which makes morning starts important if you're climbing in July or August. Winter access depends on elevation and road conditions — the basin itself stays relatively accessible, but cold temps and icy approaches can shut things down from December through February.
No permit requirements are listed for The Mouth in the current data. That said, access situations at smaller crags can change, so it's worth checking with a local shop or the American Alpine Club's crag finder before your trip, especially if you're driving a significant distance.
Bring a standard sport or trad rack depending on the route — the listings don't specify protection style for each climb, so research individual routes on Mountain Project or a similar database before you go. Given the basin's afternoon wind and the likelihood of sandstone, a helmet is worth wearing even on routes that feel straightforward. Carry more water than you think you need; the Bighorn Basin is dry and exposed.
