All Locations > Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > First Pullout (Calico I)

Watchtower Rock Climbing

Climbing Area Map

Areas in Watchtower

Alcove 0 / 5 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5

Lone Pine Wall 1 / 4 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 5

Watchtower 0 / 19 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 19

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Elevation:	4,056 ft	1,236 m
GPS:	36.14572, -115.42544 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	967 total · 136/month
Shared By:	Scott Robertson on Feb 24, 2026
Admins:	Luke EF, Larry DeAngelo, Justin Johnsen Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: IMPORTANT notes on Wet Rock and Human Waste Details

WET ROCK: The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS DURING OR AFTER RAIN. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery bone-dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

HUMAN WASTE: Human waste is a major issue plaguing the area. The Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition (SNCC) works to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations: Black Velvet Canyon, The Hamlet, Kraft Mountain Area, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor. These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out. Consider bringing one to be part of your daily kit no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly. Do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas.

See https://www.southernnevadaclimbers.org/wag-bags for more information on the program.

Description

This crag sits just northwest (slightly higher up to looker's left) from The Chasm. The crag includes three distinct features: The Watchtower complex, the Alcove, and Lone Pine Wall. It can be seen from the First Pullout–located up and beyond Civilization Crag if looking at it from the parking lot. There are currently 29 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.12. Ratings will likely settle in with more traffic. Always advise wearing a helmet.

Getting There

Best approached via the First Pullout. Follow directions for Civilization Crag then head up through the slot (slot has Mongol Hoarde-10a in it) to the left of the main Civilization crag--then through a bouldery notch at the top of this slot. On the other side of the notch, cross the gully then angle up left toward the Watchtower–roughly 5 minutes from the bouldery notch. Overall, approach takes 22 minutes at easy pace once you are familiar with the route. Following these directions will deposit you at the base of the Watchtower crag among several beautiful barrel and hedgehog cacti.

29 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Watchtower

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.

5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 7 ● Time Bender Sport Watchtower
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 7 ● Prickly Bandit Sport Watchtower
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 11 ● Tomorrow Smiles Sport Watchtower
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 10 ● Moonlight Barrel Sport Watchtower
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 5 ● Joker Sport Alcove
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c 5 ● Road to Perdition Sport Lone Pine Wall
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a 7 ● Wind Child Sport Watchtower
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a 4 ● Wildcat Sport Alcove
5.10b/c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 5 ● Zen Garden Sport Watchtower
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b 6 ● Sentry Sport Watchtower
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b 5 ● Desert Alchemist Sport Watchtower
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c 6 ● Watchtower Sport Watchtower
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c 4 ● Reaper Sport Watchtower