San Rafael Swell

One of many...

Description 

The San Rafael Swell is a huge area in the center of Utah. There is everything from Indian creek style cragging to long sandy slabs to towers. The swell has seen a lot of new route activity lately, so keep checking for more updates.

In addition to rock climbing, the San Rafael Swell is home to impressive rock art, many slot canyons, mountain biking, mellow flatwater canoe trips, and wild class V whitewater kayaking. Crowds are minimal compared to the Moab area, though so are any kind of developed services.

Getting There 

This is a vast area in the center of Utah split by I-70. The most popular areas are accessed by the Buckhorn Wash Road. Most of the main roads in this area are good dirt roads, and you can usually at least get close in a 2WD. The road conditions can change quickly since they don't see much traffic, and the remote parts of the swell are not a good place to have car trouble. Visitors should always come to the swell with a full tank of gas, a spare tire in good condition, and extra food and water just in case.

Featured Route For San Rafael Swell

Feeding the Rat (part II) 5.9-  UT : San Rafael Swell : Eastern Reef Slabs

The climb starts on the inner right (north) side of the impressive Bongo Canyon . The Route takes the slab ramp that leads to a long crack system of perfect rock that forms the top two pitches. Classic for the area.(P1. Climb onto the slab trending up to the left past two bolts and a #3 friend placement to a flake/crack and good ledge. Double anchors. 130' 5.8 (P2. Climb up to the right of the ledge then head up leftwards passed a thin fl...[more]