Guided Rock Climbing in Moab, Utah

Top three reasons to go rock climbing in Moab

Thousands of routes on Moab’s otherworldly rock formations
Incredible variety of climbing styles for every skill level
A world-class mecca for splitter cracks

Moab is defined by its widely varied climbing. Splitter cracks, epic towers comprised of pristine sandstone, and canyoneering opportunities will leave you in awe. Located close to Arches and Canyonland National Parks, this section of stunning desert offers a lifetime of exploration. Experience routes ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced, backcountry multi-pitch. No matter your objectives, Moab will deliver. WIth literally thousands of routes at your fingertips, let a Moab rock climbing guide show you how to make the most out of this iconic destination. Find out more about why Moab is one of the ultimate locations for rock climbing in Utah from Cody Bradford, an AMGA Certified Rock Guide and 57hours Ambassador.

Season

Year-round, but peak is March-May and September-October

Group size

1-3 people; larger groups accommodated on request

Duration

Half-day to Full-day

Skill level

All skill levels are welcome!

Most Popular Itineraries

Progress through the fundamentals of top-rope climbing. Custom made for your skill level and objectives, explore Moab’s 100-foot steep wall routes or bolted 5.9 sport climbs 8,000 feet above the valley. After a day of climbing with a private guide, you’ll leave Moab a few crack and steep-climbing skills richer.

Depending on your goals and skill level, your guide will hand-pick the perfect route. Select from relaxed 5.5s to extreme 5.12s. Ideal for gym climbers looking to get a taste outdoors, warm-ups after time away from the rock, and tower seekers looking for a challenge on Moab’s sandstone crags.

So, you’re looking to master your skills, and want to lead your group to the top? You’ll expand your knowledge of belays, discuss soft and hard catches, soft roping, utilizing rests, falling areas, and route finding — everything you need to be a good leader and simply climb better.

If you have a solid understanding of building anchors and rappelling, upgrade your skills with this multi-pitch climbing course! Expect to climb more efficiently and go on longer routes. Looking Glass Arch is a three-pitch route and is a great introduction to multi-pitch climbing, and the perfect way to expand upon your single-pitch experience. On your next venture, you’ll know which knots and equipment to use. Plus, gain better communication, movements and bailing safety.

Meet your guide

Red River Adventures

In business since 2006, Red River Adventures is owner-operated, and proud to have AMGA-certified Mountain, Rock and Alpine Guides and Single Pitch Instructors on staff.

Reviews (2)

Custom experience - exactly what we wanted!

Grant S about Red River Adventures on Trip Advisor

1000% recommend. Even if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for on their website, give them a call!! They may be able to accommodate.

My girlfriend and I called Red River asking for a half-day of instruction for installing our own outdoor top-roping anchors for rock climbing. Even though that specific activity didn’t exist on the site, Carl happily agreed to teach us at a reasonable rate.

He met us in Wasatch and provided outstanding instruction. The whole experience was safe, educational, and a total delight. It was exactly what we were looking for.

Carl is a great teacher and a great guide to spend some time with. We highly recommend Red River Adventures.

3 Awesome Adventures

Jill H about Red River Adventures on Trip Advisor

We booked 3 trips with Red River Adventures while visiting Moab in August 2019. We were very fortunate to have the same guide for our family for each trip. A big shout out to Mary who made our trip so much fun. She made us feel right at home and her extensive knowledge not only of the area but her technical knowledge within each excursion (Canyoneering, Rafting and Rock Climbing) made us feel safe, secure and well instructed the entire time. Mary was patient and encouraging making sure we all had successes to celebrate! Mary took the time to explain everything she was doing and why she was doing it, then she had us practice and replicate the steps. That made us feel very confident especially during the rock climbing excursion. We had an awesome time and highly recommend Red River Adventures when visiting Moab.

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Moab, please refer to the Discover Moab website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

This is what you get on this adventure:

- An experienced, certified climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A half-day or full-day of guided rock climbing based on your chosen itinerary
- All technical climbing gear
- Transportation to and from the crags

What’s not included:

- Accommodation
- Transportation to Moab
- Food and snacks

Moab has plenty of beginner-friendly options, so if you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus, but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. So don’t let your perceived lack of strength keep you away from rock climbing — you’ve got what it takes.

No prior experience is necessary. Whether you’ve never donned a harness or you’re a seasoned climber, a guide will help you meet your individual objectives. Above all, your instructor’s number one priority is your safety. As long as you listen to the given instructions, you’ll succeed in completing your climb.

Moab has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

For intermediate to advanced climbers, Moab has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.

All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:

- Helmet
- Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
- Rock shoes* (included in the price, but we recommend bringing your own if you have them)
- Ropes
- Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
- Water bottle
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

- Group sizes are usually between 1–4 people with one guide, but you can also go with a larger group of up to 6 people per guide.
- Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private tours, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.
- Climbing days can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:

- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Climbers under the age of 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but a guardian will need to provide a signed waiver before an outing with the guide.
  For most options, kids aged 8 and up can go out and try climbing!

If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

You will meet your guide in Moab, at 1140 South Main Street. From there, it’s about a 30-minute car ride to the desert. If you don’t have transportation of your own, your guide can drive you. The closest airport is in Grand Junction, about 100 miles from Moab.

The exact climbing location will be discussed after booking, as guides make that decision after considering the skill level of the group and factors such as crag traffic and weather.

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