New Mexico offers a vast selection for your rock climbing pleasure. The Mountain Project offers a complete and comprehensive list of the best climbing in Northern, Central and Southern New Mexico.
Let’s get to it! Here is the most comprehensive of rock climbing in New Mexico.
Northern New Mexico:
- Sugarite State Park: Located near Raton this climb offers a 40-50’ basalt cliff with an abundant selection of vertical cracks to navigate.
- El Rito: 18 miles northwest of Española, this town provides three different climbing sections. The terrain varies from a straightforward cobblestone climb which is perfect for a beginner climber to a much more difficult route in a shady conglomerate area.
- Taos Area: This area is home to a unique topography with several different climbs to choose. The terrain has basalt crags, pristine granite, cobble conglomerate, and metamorphic rocks that all compliments of a prehistoric volcano.
- Los Alamos & White Rock: Between the two towns there are traditional basalt crags to more steep and technical climbs in the form of steep overhangs that pose quite a challenge.
- Jemez Area: The entirety of Jemez cannot be experienced in a single trip. This region offers some of the most diverse climbing in the country and caters to every level of climber. The terrain found in this area varies from welded tuff to granite to travertine. Different styles of climbing can be tried such as single pitch, multi-pitch or bouldering.
- Santa Fe Area: Santa Fe is the state capital and is world renowned for its beauty. Excellent climbing conditions and locations such as Diablo Canyon or the southern Sangre De Cristos make this a prime destination.
- Capulin Canyon and Cochiti Mesa: Mesa edges and open canyons composed of welded tuff make this an excellent climbing destination.
Central New Mexico
- Gallup Area: This very popular climbing destination offers a higher more exciting level of climbing. Soft Sandstone poses a challenge to everyone.
- Albuquerque Area: The Sandia Mountains offer multi-pitch explorations, and their foothills promise excellent bouldering.
- New Canyon: Tucked away near the town of Manzano, New Canyon is not as well known. The area offers lots of different styles of climbs on limestone with 40-50’ verticals.
- Enchanted Tower: Described as the best climbing in the state this tower provides a very intense advanced level of climbing. It is located outside of Socorro.
- Tucumcari Mountain: Mostly undeveloped and some seclusion from the town you can find some very intense sandstone bouldering.
- The Box Climbing Areas: The box is an enjoyable winter climbing destination. The area offers mixed-quality rhyolite and a series of cliffs and boulders.
- Luna Park: Near the town of Monticello, this area is composed mostly of volcanic rock and a moderate level of climbing.
Southern New Mexico:
• Percha Creek, Hillsboro: Mostly difficult because of the location and direct sunlight. The climb on small basalt crags offers moderate to traditional climbs.
• The Tunnel: This climb is reported as the most difficult in the state. It is an expert level climb composed of limestone.
• City of Rocks: Bouldering area outside of Las Cruces.
• Las Cruces Area: This area has several climbs that are found in the Mesilla Valley. Also, the Organ Mountains offer granite peaks as well as cragging walls and bouldering opportunities.
• Sitting Bull Falls: A remote area outside of Carlsbad this area provides high-quality limestone, and a degree of difficulty that ranges from moderate to very difficult.
• Last Chance Canyon: Near the city of Queen, this area offers excellent limestone cragging.
New Mexico is often overlooked as a travel destination for rock climbing. With its diverse landscape and variety of rock, there are many places in New Mexico that are ideal for climbing. You’ll find bouldering landscapes and one thousand foot walls in the Land of Enchantment, making New Mexico a great place to visit for rock climbing enthusiasts. Enjoy!