Rock Climbing
Capitol Reef has not always been popular among technical rock climbers, but recent years have seen an increasing interest in the sport within the park.
Plan Around Rock Climbing
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Rock Climbing Details
Capitol Reef has not always been popular among technical rock climbers, but recent years have seen an increasing interest in the sport within the park. Capitol Reef's rock is primarily sandstone, varying in hardness from soft and crumbly to relatively hard. The latter category includes the Wingate cliff walls, the park's most popular spot for climbing, as natural fracturing has created many climbable crack systems. Although the hardness of the Wingate makes it suitable for chocks, nuts, and camming devices, it can flake off easily and be quite unpredictable. Permits are not required to climb, although if you plan to camp overnight you must get a free backcountry use permit. Because of the area's prehistoric rock writings, sections of the rock wall north of Hwy. 24 between the Fruita Schoolhouse and the east end of the Kreuger Orchard are closed to climbing. Climbing is not permitted elsewhere above or within 100 feet of rock art panels or prehistoric structures. Other areas closed to climbing are Hickman Natural Bridge and all other arches and bridges, Temple of the Moon, Temple of the Sun and Chimney Rock. Climbers are encouraged to use minimum-impact techniques that don't destroy the rock or leave a visual trail; the use of white chalk is prohibited. Any chalk must closely match the color of the surrounding rock. Power drills are also prohibited, and bolts may only be used to replace existing unsafe bolts. Webbing must also closely match the color of the surrounding rock, and ropes may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours.
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Activities
Nearby Parks Around Rock Climbing
Compare nearby parks around Rock Climbing when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Rock Climbing
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Rock Climbing while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Jessie Benton Fremont
An early advocate of the Park, without her work behind the scenes, Yosemite might not exist today.
0.0 mi away
ZERO LANDFILL IN THE PARKS:
THE YOSEMITE, GRAND TETON AND DENALI PROGRAM
0.0 mi away
30-Minute Helicopter Ride
Fly rim-to-rim in a half-hour.
0.0 mi away
50-Minute Airplane Tour
The ultimate Canyon airplane tour.
0.0 mi away
50-Minute Helicopter Tour
Offering aerial tours of the North and South Rims as well as the Grand Canyon's East Rim.
