Climbing Trip Seasons
A visual guide to prime climbing seasons. Click a month to see prime destinations. For best results, print this page in landscape orientation.
A visual guide to prime climbing seasons, organized by month.
January
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
SHOULDER
- None
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Gunks, NY
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
OFF-SEASON
- Skaha, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Rumney, NH
February
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
SHOULDER
- Smith Rock, OR
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Boulder Canyon, CO
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Skaha, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Gunks, NY
- Mount Erie, WA
OFF-SEASON
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Rumney, NH
March
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- Smith Rock, OR
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- New River Gorge, WV
- Skaha, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Gunks, NY
- Rumney, NH
MARGINAL
- Bow Valley, AB
OFF-SEASON
- Ten Sleep, WY
April
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Gunks, NY
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Rumney, NH
MARGINAL
- Ten Sleep, WY
OFF-SEASON
- None
May
PRIME
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Gunks, NY
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- Squamish, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Rumney, NH
MARGINAL
- None
OFF-SEASON
- None
June
PRIME
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Gunks, NY
- Boulder Canyon, CO
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Rumney, NH
OFF-SEASON
- Red Rocks, NV
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
July
PRIME
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- None
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Gunks, NY
- Rumney, NH
- Boulder Canyon, CO
OFF-SEASON
- Red Rocks, NV
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
August
PRIME
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- Rumney, NH
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Gunks, NY
- Boulder Canyon, CO
OFF-SEASON
- Red Rocks, NV
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
September
PRIME
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Gunks, NY
- Rumney, NH
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- Bow Valley, AB
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Ten Sleep, WY
MARGINAL
- None
OFF-SEASON
- None
October
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Gunks, NY
- Rumney, NH
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
SHOULDER
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
MARGINAL
- Ten Sleep, WY
OFF-SEASON
- None
November
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Red River Gorge, KY
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
- Gunks, NY
SHOULDER
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Skaha, BC
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Rumney, NH
- Boulder Canyon, CO
MARGINAL
- Squamish, BC
- Mount Erie, WA
OFF-SEASON
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
December
PRIME
- Red Rocks, NV
- Bishop, CA (Low Elev.)
SHOULDER
- Gunks, NY
MARGINAL
- Red River Gorge, KY
- New River Gorge, WV
- Smith Rock, OR
- Horseshoe Canyon, AR
- Boulder Canyon, CO
- Mount Erie, WA
OFF-SEASON
- Skaha, BC
- Squamish, BC
- Bow Valley, AB
- Ten Sleep, WY
- Rumney, NH
Disclaimer & Safety
Climbing is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. This guide is for general planning purposes only and is not a substitute for experience, instruction, or good judgment.
All season information is approximate and based on typical conditions. Weather is variable and can change rapidly. Always check detailed local forecasts, road conditions, and crag-specific access information before finalizing your plans.
Be aware of local ethics and conditions. For example, some rock types, like the sandstone found at Red Rocks or Red River Gorge, become extremely fragile and are easily damaged when wet. Do not climb on wet sandstone. Your safety and the preservation of these climbing areas are your own responsibility.
Legend
PRIME: Optimal conditions. Favorable temperatures, low precipitation, and full access.
SHOULDER: Good to excellent conditions, but with some potential compromises (e.g., variable weather, more heat/cold).
MARGINAL: Climbing is possible but often challenging. Requires specific strategies (e.g., chasing sun/shade).
OFF-SEASON: Conditions are generally prohibitive due to extreme weather.