Moab Rock Climbing Adventures

The History of Rock Climbing - and Moab’s Place in It

Rock climbing as a modern sport traces its roots to 19th-century Europe, where climbers in the Alps began scaling peaks and cliffs not just for exploration, but for recreation. By the early 20th century, climbing was established in the Dolomites of Italy, the sandstone towers of Saxony in Germany, and the crags of Britain’s Lake District. In the United States, climbing grew in places like the Shawangunks in New York and the granite walls of Yosemite Valley, California, which became the world’s most influential climbing area during the mid-1900s.

Moab entered the climbing scene later, but quickly earned a reputation for something unique: its red sandstone desert towers and roadside crags. Beginning in the 1960s, pioneering climbers explored formations like Castleton Tower and the Fisher Towers, establishing routes that became legendary in the climbing world. Unlike Yosemite’s sheer granite, Moab’s soft desert sandstone demanded new techniques—particularly crack climbing, where hands and feet are wedged into fissures.

Today, Moab is considered one of the premier climbing destinations in North America. From famous desert towers that attract elite climbers, to accessible crags like Wall Street and Ice Cream Parlor that welcome beginners, Moab offers something for every level. Its combination of history, scenery, and variety makes it an essential chapter in the story of rock climbing—where newcomers can experience the same walls that inspired generations of adventurers.

Fun Facts about Rock Climbing in Moab

• Hollywood Spotlight – Moab’s sandstone cliffs have even appeared on the big screen. The opening sequence of Mission: Impossible II (2000), featuring Tom Cruise free-soloing a dramatic desert wall, was filmed at Dead Horse Point State Park near Moab. While the scene was carefully staged with professional rigging, it highlighted the striking beauty of the area’s cliffs and introduced millions of moviegoers worldwide to Moab’s iconic red rock landscape. Beyond Mission: Impossible II, Moab’s cliffs have appeared in numerous movies and commercials, making its dramatic walls famous far beyond the climbing world.
  
  
• Home of the First Desert Tower Ascent – In 1961, climbers made the first ascent of Castleton Tower, a 400-foot desert spire near Moab. Today, it’s one of the most famous tower climbs in the world and a rite of passage for trad climbers.
  
  
• World-Class Crack Climbing – Moab’s surrounding areas, especially Indian Creek (about an hour south), are considered the Mecca of crack climbing. Climbers travel from around the globe to test themselves on its perfect sandstone fissures.
  
  
• Roadside Climbing at Wall Street – Moab’s Wall Street is one of the only places where you can belay your climbing partner just a few feet from your parked car, with the Colorado River running right beside you.
  
  
• Beginner-Friendly & World-Famous – Few destinations offer such a rare mix: Moab has climbs suitable for complete beginners (like Ice Cream Parlor) sitting just miles away from legendary test-pieces sought by elite climbers.