Roy

Bouldering in Roy

Roy Bouldering offers a remote and adventurous climbing experience in the rugged canyons of northeastern New Mexico. With its bullet-hard Dakota sandstone and an abundance of highball boulders, the area attracts those seeking bold and technical climbing. The main sectors—Middle Mesteño, Upper Mesteño, and Mills Canyon—offer a variety of problems from V0 to V13, with plenty of potential for new lines. The textured slopers and crisp edges make for engaging movement, while the vast, open landscape adds to the area's unique and wild atmosphere.

The best season for bouldering in Roy is from mid-fall to mid-spring, with winter being the prime time due to cooler temperatures and ideal friction. Summers can be unbearably hot, making climbing difficult. The area's remoteness requires careful planning—there's no running water, and high-clearance vehicles are recommended for access. Most climbers opt to camp at Mills Canyon or Mills Canyon Rim, where basic facilities are available. Respect for the land and local ranchers is crucial to preserving access, so packing out all waste and staying on designated trails is essential.