American Fork Canyon

American Fork Canyon was originally bolted in the winter and fall of 1988. Local climbers Boone Speed, Jeff Pedersen, and Bill Boyle pioneered sport climbing in the canyon when they discovered the steep, high-quality limestone of the area. Prior to 1988, the canyon’s limestone was largely dismissed by the climbing community as un-climbable choss. These 1988 efforts completely changed that perspective. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the canyon transformed into a major hub for the steep sport-climbing revolution in the United States, drawing top talent from around the world. That hype around the rock has remained 38 years later, with more and more routes and crags being set up every single day.

American Fork Canyon has climbs for everyone: from a brand-new climber who has never roped up before to a seasoned climber who has been in the game for decades. Almost every crag in the canyon is very accessible, most only requiring a short walk from nice parking areas. There are crags lining the walls of both sides of the canyon, so if you’re looking to avoid the sun there is always an area. If it gets too hot, there is a small river that runs down the canyon where you can cool off.