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San Juan County, Utah

Looking for the best rock climbing in San Juan County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Juan County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Rock Climbing Spots in and near San Juan County

  • Moab, Utah

    Climb Wilson Arch

    Wilson Arch is a common stop for people visiting the local national parks and Moab, but with some general climbing knowledge and gear you can make this into a longer outing.  If coming from Moab, the arch is obvious on your left about 25 miles south.  There is ample parking on both sides of the r...
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  • Monticello, Utah

    Rock Climbing in Indian Creek

    5.0
    Just outside the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park and 40 miles south of Moab lies one of the greatest crack climbing destinations in the world. Indian Creek is home to world famous routes such as "Supercrack of the Desert" 5.10 "Way Rambo" 5.12- and "Incredible Hand Crack" 5.10c.This...
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  • Monticello, Utah

    Climbing in Indian Creek

    Come November most climbers are missing rock season. It's too cold. There's snow on the ground. There are lots of reasons why you can't climb in my native state, Montana, come November. So when some friends want to head to Moab to go climb in the colder months, I'm in.Indian Creek is a extremely ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Camp at Williams Bottom Campground in Moab

    4.0
    Williams Bottom Campground and its 17 first-come first-serve campsites are tucked into the side of the Colorado River Canyon on Utah Highway 279 aka "Potash Road" just 15 minutes from downtown Moab. It is commonly known as one of *the* rock climbing campground on the west side of Moab, as there a...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Camp at King's Bottom

    4.0
    Kane Creek is a massive canyon, with the Colorado river at it's feet and red cliffs towering on either side. There are numerous trail heads and campgrounds the farther you explore into the canyon. However, these sites fill up fast. The canyon restricts camping to only designated sites, capping th...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Rock Climbing Moab's Wall Street

    4.4
    Moab's Wall Street is exactly what it sounds like, but nothing like the "Wall Street" you're familiar with. Several miles off Highway 279, it hugs the Colorado River on one side and a towering 500ft sandstone wall littered with climbing routes on the other. There is easy access to all of the clim...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Rappel the Granstaff Canyon

    4.0
    4.5 mi / -500 ft gain
    The Granstaff Canyon is a beautiful, red rock canyon just outside of Moab, nestled up against the Colorado River. For those with canyoneering or climbing experience, this canyon is simple enough to run. After an initial one hour (ish) hike in from the parking spot, the rappels are close together ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Backpack the Lathrop Canyon Trail in Canyonlands

    18 mi / 2130 ft gain
    Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...
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  • Monticello, Utah

    Joint Trail in the Canyonlands Needles District

    5.0
    19.06 mi / 3028 ft gain
    A large part of the grandeur of Canyonlands National Park is the vast barren vista at Island in the Sky, but no visit to Canyonlands would be complete without the intimate and immersive desert experience that the Needles District offers. Drive two hours southwest of Moab away from cell phone rece...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Night Photography at Corona Arch

    5.0
    3 mi
    First and foremost: Don't attempt to climb the arch at night. It's potentially unsafe and the BLM has banned roped activities meaning that you would have to go ropeless. Save this activity for the daytime or avoid it altogether. This is a quick 1.5 mile one-way hike to the arch. The trail is well...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Camp Goose Island Campground

    4.7
    Many of the campground in Arches National Park are extremely hard to book and almost impossible to get walk-in spots during the peak season in this area. However, the Colorado River near Moab has an abundance of beautiful campsites along its shore. Highway 128 heads northwest out of Moab followin...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Parriott Mesa Trail

    2.83 mi / 981 ft gain
    Parriott Mesa Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Moab, Utah.
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  • Moab, Utah

    Rappel Big Horn Canyon

    3.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    This canyon requires an Arches Canyoneering Permit, two 60m ropes, 100 ft of webbing, and your normal canyoneering kit. To reach the parking for the canyon, drive five miles or so into Arches until you reach a bridge.  Shortly after the bridge, there will be a pull-off to the left where you can ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Climb Owl Rock in Arches National Park

    4.0
    Owl Rock is a fun, 100' single pitch spire right in the middle of Arches National Park. The approach is minimal, just a few minutes walk from the parking lot, and there's plenty of room at the base to set up for a nice day under the sun. It's a popular spot, so in case there's a short line, bring...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Summit Elephant Butte

    1.27 mi / 492 ft gain
    Elephant Butte sits at 5653 ft. and is the highest point in Arches National Park. It requires two rappels using a 60m rope. In addition to this, it requires some short sections of low fifth class scrambling that can be difficult on wet rock. The approach starts at Garden of Eden trailhead. ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Climbing Moses in Canyonlands

    Moses offers some fantastic crack climbing. It is in the Island in the Sky area near the Taylor Canyon Campsite. The climbing is difficult but the rock is a really solid wingate sandstone. With one of the best summits in the world, this tower isn't one to miss.To get more information on the route...
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