Why
- No measurable rain at any of 5 gauges within 10 mi in the last 72 h.
- Rain chance peaks at 17% in the next 12 h.
Rain gauges
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Bars show hourly rain over the last 72 h. Tap a gauge to see its full record on MesoWest.
Local guidance
Community ethic Wait at least 24 hours after rain; most cliffs need about 36 hours of sun, and winter can take 3 to 4 days. Wet sandstone can lose up to 75% of its strength. SNCC: Climbing After Rain ↗
- Rock Aztec Sandstone
- Group Fragile when wet: red for 48 h after rain, caution to 72 h (96 h in winter)
Red Rock Canyon on Mountain Project ↗Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition ↗
Check the rock yourself
Rain gauges measure rain, not rock moisture. Sandstone is weak when wet and holds water long after the surface looks dry, especially on shaded or seepy faces. If the ground is damp, the rock is too.
Is it actually dry?
Field checks before you tie in
- Is the sand at the base dry? It dries before the rock does; damp sand means wet rock.
- Are the trail and the ground at the cliff base dry? If not, don't climb.
- Look for dark damp patches, moisture behind flakes and inside cracks, and fresh sand on holds.
- Shaded walls, spots under trees and grooves that channel water stay wet much longer.
- Sun and wind dry rock fast; cloudy, calm, humid days slow it down, and winter drying is slow.
- After long, soaking rain the rock can stay wet inches deep. Give it extra time.
- If any part of the route, base included, is wet, pick another climb.
- At Red Rock, winter drying can take 3 to 4 days (SNCC).
- Not sure? Go climb limestone or granite instead, nearest first:
Learn more
- Wet Rock Police: Red Rock Time since the last rain at the Red Rock gauge, plus rainy-day climbing alternatives around Las Vegas.
- Climbing After Rain Why wet sandstone breaks, how long to wait, and how to spot rock that is still wet.
- Wet Sandstone Questions to ask yourself before climbing after rain, and what to climb instead.
Thank you
- Grant Mercer & Wet Rock Police contributors
For building Wet Rock Police, the original "has it rained at Red Rock?" site, and keeping it free and open source. Thanks also to Andrew Lizon and everyone who has contributed.
- Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition
For protecting access at Red Rock, maintaining hardware, and teaching climbers why we wait after rain.
- Access Fund
For keeping climbing areas open and the land around them healthy, across the country and here at Red Rock.
Access Fund is the national climbing advocacy nonprofit. At Red Rock it runs the Climber Stewards program with SNCC and the BLM, launched in fall 2025: stewards at the crags who help climbers keep their impact low and practice Leave No Trace. Joining SNCC is a joint membership with Access Fund, so one membership supports both.
About the Red Rock Climber Stewards ↗Join SNCC (with Access Fund) ↗
- Irene Yee (Ladylockoff)
For the wet sandstone guide and for helping climbers find something else to do on a rainy day.
- Weather data
Rain gauges via Synoptic Data (MesoWest), from the interagency RAWS network and NV Energy. Forecasts from the National Weather Service.
Local climbing community
Facebook groups and pages
- Las Vegas Rock Climbing and Bouldering ↗
- Vegas Climbers ↗
- Search Facebook groups for "Red Rock climbing" ↗
Gyms
Climbing shops
Independent, locally owned gyms and shops near Red Rock. A listing isn't an endorsement; check hours before you go.