Rock Climbing in Colorado National Monument
Climb Iconic Desert Towers on Colorado’s Western Slope
Colorado National Monument offers some of the most spectacular desert rock climbing in Colorado, with towering sandstone walls, exposed cracks, and classic multipitch routes just minutes from Grand Junction. Skyward Mountaineering offers private guided climbing and customized instruction throughout the Monument, from introductory sandstone climbs to challenging traditional routes and desert towers. Whether you're learning to climb cracks for the first time, developing your multipitch skills, or looking for a classic objective such as Otto’s Route on Independence Monument, we'll build the day around your experience and goals.
Multipitch rock climbing on desert towers in Colorado National Monument, with routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.12+.
Intermediate difficulty. Most routes in Colorado National Monument require previous outdoor rock climbing experience, though a route such as Otto’s Route is a good introduction to multipitch desert towers with moderate climbing difficulty. More challenging towers exist for more experienced climbers.
Most guided climbing days are booked at the full day (8 hours) rate. The best season to climb is March - June and September - November, though it is possible to climb during the summer with early starts.
Grand Junction, CO
4,710 ft / 1,435 m
Classic Colorado National Monument Climbing Routes
Colorado National Monument is defined by its towering sandstone formations, exposed desert terrain, and adventurous trad climbing. Unlike many sport climbing destinations, most routes here require climbers to place their own protection, making the Monument an excellent place to develop crack climbing and traditional climbing skills. Routes range from moderate toproping and introductory multipitch climbs to committing and challenging desert towers, with dramatic positions and sweeping views across Grand Valley.
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On July 4, 1911, the first superintendent of Colorado National Monument, John Otto ascended Independence Monument by drilling holes into the soft sandstone and placing iron pipe for hand and footholds. While these tactics would now be considered graffiti, this historic ascent leaves behind eroded holes that serve as a surprisingly moderate ascent of an incredibly steep desert tower. The exposure on the summit headwall is phenomenal and climbers are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the surrounding Monument Canyon, Fruita, Grand Junction and the distant Book Cliffs from atop the flat summit of this unique desert tower.
This climb requires previous multipitch rock climbing experience though the moderate grade makes it a great entry level route for rock climbers. Skyward Mountaineering offers a 1-day prep for this route on surrounding Grand Junction rock climbing areas for climbers who want to climb Otto’s Route but need more experience first.
The climbing itself is a mix of enjoyable crack systems, ledges, and quirky features that showcase the Monument’s soft sandstone and the unique history of the first ascent. The first pitch begins with moderate crack and face climbing, leading to a comfortable belay stance. The middle of the route travels through a unique and deep chimney system, called the Time Tunnel, which is easy travel but an interesting feature. The upper pitches climb a pocketed face that involves balance and finesse, though the holds are large and mostly quite positive. As you near the summit, the route has significant exposure as the broad ridge sharpens and you ascend the overhanging headwall grabbing jugs hidden around the corner. Despite its moderate difficulty, the climb offers an adventurous feel and a true desert tower experience. It’s an ideal objective for climbers looking to stand on top of one of Colorado’s most iconic formations.
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Rising dramatically above Monument Canyon, Sentinel Spire is one of the most striking formations in Colorado National Monument. Even the approach is an adventure! We start by rappelling just a short distance from the car over an overhanging alcove, which we have to reascend on the egress (wild!). We then continue with a short hike down to the base of the actual route. The climbing here is adventurous and exposed, climbing up 5 pitches of steep sandstone cracks. There are two crux pitches, a steep finger crack and a zig-zagging tight hands crack. Every pitch is awesome and for climbers up to the challenge this is a great introduction to steep crack climbing on desert towers.
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The Kissing Couple is one of the Monument’s most recognizable rock formations, two slender towers connected at the base and separated near the top. The Bell Tower route is a true adventure climb with difficult face climbing, crack climbing and some tight squeezes. This route is truly unique and should be on every desert crack climber’s tick list, though pitch one is a challenging warm up - it’s well worth it! Topping out on the Kissing Couple gives climbers an unforgettable perspective on the desert towers and canyons below, along with a unique summit that feels straight out of the movies.
Plan Your Colorado National Monument Rock Climbing Trip
Who Is Colorado National Monument Climbing For?
The Monument offers routes for climbers at several stages of their progression. Beginners can learn outdoor climbing fundamentals and movement skills, while intermediate climbers can develop crack climbing, traditional protection, and multipitch systems on an introductory desert tower such as Otto’s Route. Experienced climbers can climb the longer and more challenging desert towers with a private guide.
New to outdoor climbing: Learn climbing movement, belaying, rappelling, and basic climbing systems.
Developing climbers: Learn crack climbing, gear placement, anchors, and multipitch systems. Or just enjoy a day of guided climbing on a desert tower in the Monument.
Experienced climbers: Climb classic towers, such as Medicine Man or Kissing Couple and other longer multipitch routes or hire a guide for a day of instruction to refine specific skills.
Learn How To Crack Climb & Lead Trad Routes
Colorado National Monument and nearby crags in Grand Junction are an ideal place to learn how to climb cracks and become more comfortable with leading multipitch trad routes. Private instruction can focus on finger locks, hand jams, footwork, body positioning, gear placement, anchors, and multipitch transition efficiency. For sport climbers looking to transition into trad climbing, the Monument provides an excellent setting to build those skills on real desert rock.
Build Your Skills & Experience For Climbing Bigger Desert Towers
Colorado National Monument can be an excellent stepping stone toward more committing desert climbing in Moab and adventurous routes around the world. Climbers can use the Monument to develop crack climbing technique, rappelling, and multipitch efficiency before tackling longer or more committing desert towers and multipitch routes.
Custom Colorado National Monument Climbing Trips
No two climbing days look the same. Your guide will build a custom day around your experience and goals, whether that means learning crack climbing or climbing a multipitch desert tower. For climbers visiting Grand Junction for several days, we can also combine Colorado National Monument with nearby climbing crags in Unaweep Canyon, Escalante Canyon, or the Black Canyon to create a progression across different styles of rock climbing.
FAQs For Rock Climbing in Colorado National Monument
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Grand Junction has several incredible rock climbing zones with varying types of geology, styles of climbing, and difficulty levels.
Colorado National Monument is best known for its multipitch desert towers, though there are also several great single pitch crack climbing crags throughout the zone. Single pitch routes mostly range from 5.8 to 5.11, while the towers generally are more challenging and have a significant adventuresome feel. A route like Otto’s Route is straightforward and can be a good introduction to multi-pitch climbing, often requiring just one prep day beforehand for novice climbers. Other towers such as Sentinel Tower, Kissing Couple, Bell Tower, or other routes on Independence Monument are advanced routes for experienced climbers.
If you have questions about which route is best for you given your previous experience, get in touch and we’re happy to discuss recommended routes and a training plan to help you get to your goals.
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Yes! Skyward Mountaineering puts a lot of value in working with you to personalize every guided climbing trip, so details like the start time, hiking pace, photos, climbing instruction, bonus pitches afterwards, etc can all be adjusted to meet your specific goals. Your guide will reach out in the days before the climb to discuss these logistics, please let them know if you have any questions or specific requests.
Additionally, our administrative staff are climbers and guides too and we’re here to support you through the whole process. If you have any questions before booking your guided climb or before the trip starts please reach out to us and we are happy to answer your questions.
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We guide toproping in Colorado National Monument and the surrounding Grand Junction area at a maximum of 4 climbers per guide. Colorado National Monument has some great toprope rock climbing which can be perfect for a group. If you would like to climb with a group larger than 4 people we can add a guide so everyone is able to climb together. Contact us to discuss a rock climbing trip with groups larger than 4 people.
On multipitch routes we climb at a maximum of 2 climbers per guide, but similarly can also add another guide for additional climbers so you can all climb together.
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Spring and fall generally offer the best conditions for rock climbing in Colorado National Monument, when temperatures are more comfortable. Winter can provide excellent climbing on sunny aspects, while summer climbing is best planned around cooler mornings and shaded routes to avoid the heat of the desert environment. Your guide will select objectives based on temperature, sun exposure, and your goals.
Major rain events aren’t very common, but spring can have the occasional rain storm. Sandstone is especially vulnerable to damage when wet due to its porous nature and climbing on saturated rock can break holds or permanently damage routes. After rain events that are significant enough to leave puddles or wet sand, it’s important to give the rock adequate time to dry completely before climbing. This is typically 24 hours though it may be slightly less or more, depending on how much it rained and the wind and sun exposure that follows.
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With granite in Unaweep Canyon and the south facing aspect getting plenty of sunshine, it’s reasonable to climb right after a rain event (or even after a few hours to let snow melt in the winter). The sandstone climbing areas in Grand Junction often require a 24 hour period to let the rock dry out though as the rock is more porous and fragile.
In the event of rain or snow making climbing in Grand Junction untenable we may have to reschedule. This rescheduling will depend on how much rain occurs, whether the sun comes out, and what the wind speed/direction is. Thankfully, it’s rare that we have to cancel or reschedule a climb due to weather.
Our guides and office staff will work you to coordinate rescheduling, if necessary. For more information on our cancellation policy, please see our terms and conditions and contact us with any other questions.