Seasonal Raptor Closures

2026

Updated: 4/1/2026

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The Northern Arizona Climbers Coalition works closely with the U.S. Forest Service to inform and educate climbers about seasonal closures to protect threatened and endangered birds during their breeding and nesting season.

Successful partnership with land managers has enabled the closure of select routes and walls, rather than entire climbing areas. Ongoing success hinges on climbers' respect for and adherence to these seasonal closures.

Bird monitoring is underway, and closures will be lifted as soon as possible. All closures will end by August 31st, unless lifted earlier. Please DO NOT remove bird closure signage unless given specific permission by Forest Service staff or NAZCC board members.

See details for each area below:

• The Pit

  The following areas/routes will be CLOSED for nesting owls March 1st - August 31st:

  • Nose Rock (all routes)

  • The Shooting Gallery (all routes)

  • Bedrock (all routes)

  • Pulse Roof (all routes)

  • “Shock Treatment” (farthest left route on the White Wall)

  Note: Intentionally disturbing protected species is a Federal and State crime.

  The following routes on the White Wall will be CLOSED for nesting falcons April 1st - August 31st:

  • “Shock Treatment”

  • “No Joke” (and all variations)

  • “Total Recall” (and all variations)

  • “Fruit Bowl”

• Peaks Crag

  The following areas will be closed for nesting falcons April 1st - August 31st

  • All South End routes

    • (All routes south of “Shaman School”)

  A sign will be installed where the closure begins. Please do not enter this area.

• Volunteer Canyon

  The following routes will be closed April 1st - August 31st at Volunteer Canyon :

  • “The Parity Prow”

  • “Drop the Hammer”

  • “Baby Dinosaur”

• Paradise Forks

  All routes on the Wild Wall will be CLOSED for nesting owls March 1st - August 31st

  Please avoid this area during this time to allow the owls to nest undisturbed.

  The following routes on The Prow & Gold Wall will be closed April 1st - August 31st:

  • “Sail Away”

  • “Mutiny on the Bounty”

  • “The Prow”

  • “Americans at Arapiles”

  • “Crow’s Nest”

  • “Powderfingers”

  • “Yardarm”

  • “Cheeseball”

  • “Sh*ttn’ Bricks” (on the Gold Wall)

• Hobo Jungle

  The following routes will be CLOSED April 1st - August 31st:

  • “Lucky Streak”

  • “Hobophobic”

  • “Rambler’s Choice”

If you have any questions or would like more information about the birds please reach out to the Coconino National Forest Service Wildlife Biologist:

Amyann Madara | Amyann.madara@usda.gov