Utah's only private climbing park
234 bolted routes on the basalt walls of our own canyon, up to 85 feet — 25 minutes north of St. George, and included with your day pass.
Crawdad Canyon is one of the only privately owned outdoor rock climbing parks in the country, and the only one in Utah. The walls are solid basalt — the same lava rock that formed this canyon — scaling up to 85 feet, with routes from 5.2 up to 5.13a. There is a brass plaque at the base of every climb with its name and rating on it.
The canyon climbs cooler than the desert around it, and that is not marketing — it is the shape of the place. Half the walls sit in sun and half in shade for most of the day, the cottonwoods and box elders shade the floor through the summer and then drop their leaves to let the sun back in for the colder months, and there is almost always a breeze coming off the Santa Clara River. It is why people climb here all day in August when the rock at St. George is unusable by ten in the morning.
Jim Bosse bought Veyo Pool in 1995 and spent years turning the canyon into the park it is now, backing a handful of local route developers with the resources to finish the job. The park is operated under the direction of the Southern Utah Climbers Coalition. Climbers from more than 25 different countries have tied in on these walls.
Because the park is private you are not queueing for the classics the way you would at a public crag. You climb, you get in the pool, you climb again. Two things surprise people who have only climbed on public rock: this is a bolted sport park, so traditional climbing is not permitted, and neither is bouldering, free soloing or rope soloing anywhere in the canyon.
Bring your own gear. Nothing is rented or sold at the property — you need your own rope, harness, shoes and quickdraws. The routes are bolted so you do not place protection, and a stick clip is worth having for the routes whose first bolt hanger is painted yellow. Everyone climbing signs the same liability waiver as the rest of the canyon, which you can sign online before you arrive, and every climber signs in at the front desk on the way in.
The route list
All 21 walls— The Rubicon, the Fly Trap, Dem Bones, the Philosophy Wall and the rest — with grades and the park's own star ratings, straight off the printed guide.
Questions we get asked
Do I need my own climbing gear?
Yes. All climbers must bring their own equipment — there is nothing at the property for rent or purchase. You need a rope, harness, shoes and quickdraws. The routes are bolted, so you do not place protection.
Can I climb here in the winter?
Yes, by reservation. By reservation only — rock climbing, crawdad catching and camping. The pool is closed. The canyon is one of the few places in the area that works in the colder months, because the trees drop their leaves and let the sun onto the walls.
Is it good for beginners and kids?
Very. The guide lists routes from 5.2 upward, and plenty of ten-year-olds top out on their first visit. Start on the walls nearest the pool — there is usually somebody around happy to point you at the right line.
How much does climbing cost?
Nothing extra. The $18 Canyon Access Pass covers climbing along with swimming, crawdad catching, hiking and the game courts. A 10-visit punch pass works out at $13 a visit and a 30-visit at $9, they never expire, and you can share them.
Can I boulder or lead on trad gear?
No. The park is bolted sport climbing only. Traditional climbing is not permitted, and neither is bouldering, free soloing or rope soloing anywhere in the canyon. Lead climbers must clip every bolt on the route.
Do climbers under 18 need a parent?
Yes — a climber under 18 needs a parent or guardian's signature on the liability form, and the parent has to be present to sign it. Every climber also signs in at the front desk, with no exceptions.
Can I bring my dog?
Not into the canyon. There is a kennel in the upper parking lot. ADA service animals are the only exception — under the ADA an emotional support animal does not qualify.
Can you host our group or company?
Yes — climbing is a good fit for family reunions, youth groups and company parties, and there are group rates on the day pass at 10 and 30 people. Call us and we will help you plan it.
How far is it from St. George?
About 25 minutes north, at 287 E Veyo Resort Rd, Veyo, Utah.