If you want a world-class day on stone, The Backcountry Pros delivers guided rock climbing trips across the Moab area—from Fisher Towers and Castle Valley to Wall Street on River Road along the Colorado River. We help rock climbers match the right skill level and ability level to the best place for outdoor climbing, whether you’re chasing splitter cracks in Wingate sandstone, dialing in crack climbing technique and jamming technique, or stepping into multi-pitch climbing for the first time.
Looking for a Moab climbing guide who can turn your goals into a safe, efficient plan? We’ll build your itinerary around your experience level, preferred style (crack, face, or sport climbing), and how much time you have.
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What you can expect on a guided climb
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Route selection based on conditions, sun/shade, approach time, and your climbing goals
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Climbing techniques coaching (movement technique, footwork, efficiency, crack systems, and gear management)
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Technical climbing equipment planning (what you need vs. what we can provide or recommend)
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Guide ratio and pacing tailored to your group size and objectives
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Classic Moab logistics: early starts, desert weather, and safe descents
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Iconic routes and climbing destinations we guide
The Moab region is a true bucket list destination in North America and the United States. We guide a range of classics—tower climbs, desert cracks, and multi-pitch routes—while keeping your day smooth from meeting point to descent.
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Desert towers and trade routes
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Fisher Towers: a legendary zone with iconic spires (including Ancient Art for qualified parties)
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Castleton Tower: a true iconic tower above Castle Valley; popular classics include the Kor-Ingalls Route
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The Rectory and neighboring formations: dramatic views and committing, rewarding climbing
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Objective-based tower days may include options like the North Chimney or Stolen Chimney depending on conditions and ability
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Crags near town for skills and mileage
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Wall Street on Potash Road / River Road: excellent roadside access for efficient sessions
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Crack and face-focused days to build competence before stepping into bigger multi-pitch routes
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Park-adjacent planning
If you’re pairing climbing with sightseeing, we’ll help you build a realistic plan around Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park while keeping drive times and desert conditions in mind. Many guests also combine climbing with mountain biking or slot canyons on non-climbing days.
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What to bring
We’ll confirm a gear plan when you book. In the meantime, here’s a practical desert checklist:
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Climbing gear: harness, helmet, shoes, belay device (ask us what’s needed for your objective)
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Sun + desert essentials: Sunglasses, Lip Balm, water, layers
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Optional: personal guidebook for reference (we’ll handle the route plan)
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Safety, pacing, and experience matching
Every trip starts with goal-setting and an honest discussion of experience level—what you’ve climbed recently, what styles you prefer, and what feels like a stretch. We plan your route, systems, and timing to reduce avoidable risk and keep your day enjoyable and efficient.
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For first-time visitors
If it’s your first time in Moab Utah, we recommend starting with accessible climbing to learn how local rock, friction, and crack geometry feel—then scaling up to longer objectives after you’ve found your rhythm.
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For advanced climbers
If you’re an experienced leader or want a highly technical objective, we can structure the day around advanced systems (including Aid climbing discussions where relevant), complex descents, and efficiency on sustained terrain—without turning it into a forced sufferfest.
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Private Guiding and Instruction
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Climb some of the best routes Moab has to offer over two or more days. Days can be fully guided or focused on skills and instruction. Each climb is planned around the goals and desires of the group. Specific objectives can be considered on a case by case basis.
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Available: April - June, Sept. - Nov.
Trip Duration: 2+ days
Minimum Group Size: 1
Ratio: 5:1 max for single pitch and 2:1 max for multi-pitch
Experience Recommended
Rates:
Group Size
1 2 3* 4*
Days
2 $1000 $550pp $433pp $400pp
3 $1,400 $800pp $633pp $600pp
4 $1,750 $1,050pp $833pp $800pp
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• Larger groups or longer trips are both possible, please inquire.
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* Only available in a single pitch setting at this rate​
Desert Tower and Crack Climbing Package
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Climb to the top of one of the famed desert towers in the area and work on crack climbing all in the same trip. Desert tower climbing certainly requires some effort; routes are steep, often exposed and physically demanding but the climbing is unlike anything else! From the Kor-Ingalls and North Chimney routes on Castleton Tower to the numerous road-side cracks of Potash, fantastic options are just a stones through from Moab and in easy striking distance!
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Available: April - June, Sept. - Nov.
Trip Duration: 2+ days
Minimum Group Size: 1
Ratio: 2:1 max. (Larger groups possible with second guide)
Experience Required
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Rates:
Group Size
1 2
Days
2 $1000 $550pp
3 $1,400 $800pp
4 $1,750 $1,050pp
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• Larger groups or longer trips are both possible, please inquire.
FAQs
Is a guided trip worth it in the Moab region?
Yes—because the best climbs here often involve unique desert logistics: sun exposure, approaches, tricky descents, and route-finding on steep terrain. A guide helps you spend more time climbing and less time guessing, while matching objectives to your ability and goals.
What skill level do I need for tower climbs?
Tower climbs range from moderate classics to very committing objectives. We’ll recommend the right tower, route, and day plan based on your experience level, comfort on exposure, and the style you want (crack, face, or multi-pitch).
Can you guide Ancient Art and Fisher Towers?
Fisher Towers is a featured destination and Ancient Art is a famous objective within that zone. We can discuss whether it fits your goals and readiness, then recommend alternatives if conditions or experience make another route the better choice.
How big are groups and what’s the guide ratio?
Group size and guide ratio depend on route complexity, terrain, and your goals. Smaller groups typically move faster and allow more coaching—especially on multi-pitch routes and tower climbs.
Do you offer half-day or full-day options?
Yes. Half-day trips are great for first-time visitors, technique work, and efficient climbing. Full-day trips fit longer objectives, bigger approaches, and multi-pitch routes.
What’s the best season for climbing in Southern Utah?
Many climbers target spring and fall for comfortable temperatures. We’ll help you time starts and choose aspects that climb well, and we’ll adjust the plan for conditions.
Where should we stay, and what else can we do?
Most guests base in Moab and add rest-day activities like mountain biking, hiking, or nearby parks. If you’re road-tripping from places like Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, or Las Vegas, we can suggest how to structure climbing days to reduce drive fatigue.