Rock Climbing in Utah

Our home mountains are in Utah. From the granite of the Wasatch to the desert towers of southern Utah, BBE offers guided rock climbing for people taking their first steps on rock, experienced climbers looking for bigger objectives, and mountain athletes preparing for what comes next. You don't need to arrive knowing how to climb. We can start with the fundamentals, help you develop movement, rope systems and confidence, or work with you toward more advanced alpine and expedition goals. Come climb with us for a half day, a full day, or build a progression over several days. We'll help you choose an objective that fits your experience, your goals, and where you want to go next.

From your first climb to classic Wasatch routes and Moab desert towers. Join us for a few hours, a full day or a private climbing adventure tailored to you.

Choose your climbing experience

Three ways to climb with us

Two private climbing days for all levels, and a structured course for climbers moving outdoors.

Private guidingClimber smiling on a Wasatch rock climb, Utah

Half-Day Rock Climbing

Real rock with a private guide, 20–40 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

  • Big & Little Cottonwood
  • About 4 hours
  • All Levels
  • 1–4 climbers per guide

$395 on your own$125 per person in a group of 4 ($500 total)

Private guidingTwo climbers on a multi-pitch route in the Wasatch, Utah

Full-Day Private Rock Climbing

Your first time on rock or a challenging multi-pitch — your guide builds the day around you.

  • Wasatch, Salt Lake City
  • Full day
  • All Levels
  • 1–2 climbers per guide

$550 on your own$375 per person for 2 ($750 total)

Scheduled courseClimber on a granite slab above the canyon road, Wasatch, Utah

Learn to Rock Climb Outside

A structured gym-to-crag course for climbers ready to move outdoors.

  • Cottonwood canyons, Wasatch
  • Full day
  • Some Climbing Experience
  • 2–4 climbers on scheduled dates (max 4)

$295 per personOn scheduled dates · private dates from $500 on your own

In partnership with Wasatch Mountain Guides. All Utah climbing programs featured here are operated and guided by Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG). WMG is a Utah guiding company co-owned by BBE co-founder Willie Benegas. Explore your options with BBE; reservations, payments and required forms are completed directly with WMG.

Half day or full day?

Choose by time and goals

You don’t need to take a course before booking a private climbing day. Half-Day and Full-Day Private Rock Climbing welcome all levels, including complete beginners. Learn to Rock Climb Outside is a separate scheduled course for climbers who want structured instruction.

Compare Half-Day Rock Climbing, Full-Day Private Rock Climbing and Learn to Rock Climb Outside
Option Format Time Level Group Choose this if
Half-Day Rock Climbing Private guiding About 4 hours All Levels 1–4 climbers per guide You have a few hours, not a whole day
Full-Day Private Rock Climbing Private guiding Full day All Levels 1–2 climbers per guide You want the whole day on rock
Learn to Rock Climb Outside Scheduled course Full day Some Climbing Experience 2–4 climbers on scheduled dates (max 4) Want to learn the skills yourself?

Explore more Utah climbing

Wasatch alpine rock, ridges and traverses

Longer days for climbers and strong hikers who want exposure, summits and technical mountain routes.

Private guidingTwo climbers on an alpine ridge in the Wasatch, Utah

High Wasatch above Salt Lake City

Wasatch Alpine Rock & Traverses

Exposed ridges and technical mountain routes, an hour from the airport.

  • Full day (6–10 hours)
  • Alpine Rock: depends on the route · Traverses: strong hikers comfortable with exposure
  • 1–2 per guide

$695 on your own$425 per person for 2 ($850 total)

Private guidingClimber on a Wasatch ridge above Salt Lake City

Cottonwood Ridge, Wasatch

Advanced objective

The Two Canyons Traverse

The ridge between Big and Little Cottonwood, end to end in two days.

  • 2 days
  • Very fit; comfortable with exposure; confident scrambler
  • 1 climber, 1 guide

$1,700 private1 climber with 1 guide

Climbers on a sandstone crack on a desert tower near Moab, Utah

Destination · Moab, Utah

Moab Desert Towers

Four days and two sandstone towers: Castleton Tower by the Kor–Ingalls (5.9) and Ancient Art (5.8 with a short section of aid), after a crack and systems day near Moab.

  • Where: Castle Valley & Fisher Towers, Moab
  • Duration: 4 days
  • Experience: Some climbing experience; crack experience not required. Not for complete beginners
  • Group: 2 climbers per guide
  • Format: Scheduled dates
  • Price: $1,800 per person, team of 2 · $3,200 private
  • Season: March–May · September–November

Learn & progress

Build your own climbing skills

Start with outdoor systems, move on to leading, then keep improving with a mentor.

  1. Step 1 · Outdoor skills

    Learn to Rock Climb Outside

    Outdoor systems, belaying and anchors.
    • Some climbing experience
    • Full day
    • $295 per person on scheduled dates

    See dates

  2. Step 2 · Leading

    Learn to Lead Outside

    Lead belaying, clipping, anchors and cleaning on real rock.
    • Comfortable top-roping outdoors
    • Full day
    • $295 per person on scheduled dates
    • Private from $500 on your own

    See dates

  3. Step 3 · Mentorship

    Rock Climbing Mentorship

    Four coached days across the year, with written notes after each one.
    • You already climb outside
    • $2,395 on your own
    • From $1,495 per person for 2

    Explore mentorship

Why climb with Benegas Brothers

Climb with the team the Benegas brothers built

For Willie and Damian Benegas, climbing began long before Benegas Brothers Expeditions was founded in 1992. Growing up on the coast of Patagonia, they discovered climbing on sea cliffs with improvised equipment. Those early adventures eventually led to Yosemite’s big walls, the Andes and the Himalaya.

Today, Utah’s Wasatch Mountains are part of that continuing story.

  • Experience built over decadesFrom Patagonia to Yosemite and the world’s great mountain ranges, the Benegas brothers have spent more than three decades developing their approach to climbing, guiding and mountain judgment.
  • Small teams. Personal attention.Our private climbing days are designed around the individual, not a fixed itinerary. Whether you’re touching rock for the first time or working toward a challenging route, the experience should match your ability, interests and goals.
  • Learning that stays with youWe believe a good climbing day is about more than reaching the top. It’s about building confidence, understanding the mountains and developing skills that carry into your next adventure.

Meet the Benegas Brothers

Practical information

Before you choose

Where we climb

Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and the high Wasatch above Salt Lake City; Castle Valley, Fisher Towers and the River Road near Moab.

Duration

About four hours, a full day, a two-day traverse or four days in Moab.

Experience

Half-day and full-day private climbing: All Levels. Learn to Rock Climb Outside: some climbing experience. Alpine routes, traverses and Moab list their own requirements.

Group size

Half day: up to 4 per guide. Full day and alpine: up to 2. Two Canyons: 1 climber per guide. Moab: 2 per guide. For a larger group, Ask a Guide, or see Corporate & Team Events.

Equipment

Private half and full days: we can provide a helmet and harness at no additional charge; please bring your own climbing shoes or rent a pair locally. Courses, alpine routes and Moab list their own equipment on each trip page.

Pricing

Private days are priced by group size: you’ll see the price on your own and per person for a group. Scheduled courses are a fixed price per person.

Private guiding or scheduled course?

Private guiding: your dates, your group only, built around you. Scheduled course: set dates and a set curriculum, shared with other climbers.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can complete beginners climb with BBE?

Yes. Half-Day Rock Climbing and Full-Day Private Rock Climbing are both for all levels, including your first time on rock.

Should I choose a half day or full day?

Choose by time and the climbing you want: about four hours on real rock, or a full day with room for longer routes or more skills. Both are private and for all levels.

Do I need my own equipment?

We can provide a climbing helmet and harness at no additional charge if you don’t have your own. Please bring your own climbing shoes or arrange to rent a pair locally. Let us know what equipment you need when you inquire or book. Courses, alpine routes and Moab: see each trip page.

Can I climb alone with a private guide?

Yes. Both private days can be booked on your own: $395 for the half day, $550 for the full day (weekday rates).

What’s the difference between private guiding and Learn to Rock Climb Outside?

A private day is built around you, for any level. Learn to Rock Climb Outside is a structured gym-to-crag course on scheduled dates, for climbers with some indoor, top-rope or sport experience.

Where do you climb around Salt Lake City?

Mostly Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, 20–40 minutes from downtown, and the high Wasatch for alpine routes.

Can families or larger groups participate?

Families are welcome: the half day is built around your group, up to 4 climbers per guide. For larger groups, Ask a Guide and we’ll tell you what’s possible, or see Corporate & Team Events.

Not sure which climbing day fits?

Tell us your dates, time available and experience, and we’ll suggest the right option. Planning for a team or a group larger than four? See Corporate & Team Events.

Ask a Guide

Our home mountains are in Utah. From the granite of the Wasatch to the desert towers of southern Utah, BBE offers guided rock climbing for people taking their first steps on rock, experienced climbers looking for bigger objectives, and mountain athletes preparing for what comes next. You don't need to arrive knowing how to climb. We can start with the fundamentals, help you develop movement, rope systems and confidence, or work with you toward more advanced alpine and expedition goals. Come climb with us for a half day, a full day, or build a progression over several days. We'll help you choose an objective that fits your experience, your goals, and where you want to go next.

Scheduled dates Moab Desert Towers
Moab, Utah 4 days
Moab Desert Towers

Four days: a half-day in Little Cottonwood, a crack and systems day near Moab, then two towers — Castleton, Ancient Art, Fine Jade and more.

  • 4 days
  • Intermediate
  • 2 climbers per guide, always
Next datesApr 22 · Oct 14, 2027
Private guiding Half-Day Rock Climbing
Wasatch, Utah About 4 hours
Half-Day Rock Climbing

About four hours on Cottonwood Canyon granite. No experience needed.

  • About 4 hours
  • All Levels
  • Up to 4 climbers per guide
SeasonApril – October on request
Scheduled dates Learn to Rock Climb Outside
Wasatch, Utah Full day
Learn to Rock Climb Outside

A structured gym-to-crag course: outdoor belaying, movement and safety for climbers with some experience.

  • Full day
  • Some Climbing Experience
  • Maximum 4 climbers per guide
Next datesMay 15 · Jul 17 · Sep 18, 2027
Scheduled dates Learn to Lead Outside
Wasatch, Utah Full day
Learn to Lead Outside

Your first sport leads on bolted routes, with a guide alongside.

  • Full day
  • Intermediate
  • Maximum 4 climbers per guide
Next datesJun 12 · Aug 14 · Oct 9, 2027
Private guiding Full-Day Private Rock Climbing
Wasatch, Utah Full day
Full-Day Private Rock Climbing

A full private day of rock climbing in Utah’s Wasatch, tailored to your experience and goals.

  • Full day
  • All Levels
  • Maximum 2 climbers per guide
SeasonApril–October on request
Private guiding Rock Climbing Mentorship
Wasatch, Utah 4 days in a year
Rock Climbing Mentorship

Four days within a year with a guide who tracks your progress and tells you straight where you stand.

  • 4 days in a year
  • Intermediate
  • 1–2 climbers per guide
SeasonApril–October on request