Wyoming · Rock climbing · Ten Sleep

Ten Sleep Canyon

Ten Sleep Canyon in Wyoming offers 11 sport climbing routes across 7 difficulty grades.

Photo: jtstewart, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

11 routes

5.8 – 5.11c

Sport

Is Ten Sleep Canyon open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Bighorn National Forest.

As of Oct 25, 8:30 pm MDT · Source: USFS · Bighorn National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Ten Sleep Canyon

Best months: May–June and August–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.

Jan
39° / 12°
5 wet · 5 snow
Feb
40° / 15°
5 wet · 5 snow
Mar
49° / 22°
7 wet · 5 snow
Apr
55° / 30°
9 wet · 3 snow
May
64° / 39°
12 wet · 1 snow
Jun
76° / 48°
10 wet
Jul
86° / 54°
7 wet
Aug
84° / 53°
6 wet
Sep
74° / 43°
6 wet
Oct
60° / 31°
6 wet · 2 snow
Nov
48° / 21°
5 wet · 4 snow
Dec
39° / 12°
4 wet · 4 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Billy Creek, WY, 28 mi away at 4,975 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Ten Sleep Canyon is a climbing area in Wyoming's Bighorn National Forest, within the Powder River Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the canyon sits among a cluster of climbing spots, including the Runaway Truck Ramp and Cheese Roof, both about 0.1 mile away. The climbing here is all sport, with 11 routes spread across a range from 5.8 to 5.11c. Pacha Mama and Escape from the Grither are two of the harder options, both rated 5.11a and 5.11c. The median grade is 5.11a, so expect a mix of moderate to challenging climbs. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Billy Creek weather station, which sits about 1,600 feet lower, show July highs around 86°F with lows near 54°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 39°F and several snowy days each month from December through February. Leigh Creek Campground is about 1.5 miles away, and Tensleep Creek offers paddling about 2.8 miles off. Boulder Park Campground and the Salt Lick Trail are both within about 5 miles.