Rock Climbing

Dreaming about crags? Tucson is calling you.

Tucson's sunny, dry climate and easy access to thousands of traditional and sports climbs make the Old Pueblo a mecca for rock climbing in Southern Arizona. The five mountain ranges surrounding Tucson offer endless opportunities for climbers of every skill level, from beginners to seasoned, wall-crawling veterans.

Rock Climbing on Mt. Lemmon

One of the top rock-climbing destinations is Mt. Lemmon in Tucson's Santa Catalina Mountains. Rising more than 9,000 feet above the Sonoran Desert floor, Mt. Lemmon has more than 2,700 climbing routes, ranging from single-pitch clip-ups to multi-pitch traditional routes, and the mountain's steep, craggy walls are ideal for gravity-defying thrills at the end of a rope.

Bouldering in Tucson

Climbers looking for un-roped adventure will have a blast scrambling up and over the short, steep boulders in the foothills surrounding Tucson. These clusters of boulders make great practice sites for beginners who want to hone their skills. Our bouldering areas are popular also with more advanced climbers looking to work on technique.

Tucson Rock Climbing Guides & Gyms

Arizona Climbing Guides offer guided climbing and canyoneering trips in Arizona’s beautiful and vast desert landscapes. Based out of Tucson, AZ, Arizona Climbing Guides offer half and full-day experiences for climbers of all ability levels.

Rocks and Ropes, Tucson's indoor climbing gym has two locations where experts teach climbing and safety skills to anyone and everyone out for adventure, even absolute beginners. Their certified instructors also lead outdoor climbing trips featuring bouldering, top roping, lead climbing, and multi-pitch routes. 

Note: Consistent with safe rock climbing in any destination, climbers of all levels are advised to climb with a partner and check weather reports before venturing into the mountains, as any time of year can bring unexpected weather.