Dillinger Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A III (v3a1 III) Raps:6-8, max ↨170ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 5min Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 9 Nov 2025
"Vomited on the approach, rallied, got er done in 6 hours car to car. Taught my friend how to rap on R1 no problem. Very straightforward canyon- Id t |
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| Best season: | Sep-May, best after rains
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34.9073, -111.8733
34.8935, -111.8653
34.9020, -111.8574
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Introduction
Beautiful Sedona area canyon. Good trail to top. A little bushy with some downclimbs on approach to first rappel. Short technical section with an amazing last rappel.
This is the full route. Half Dilly (aka Outlaw Canyon) is a shorter variation of this route that enters the drainage just prior to the lower rappel sequence.
Approach
Follow the Bear Mountain trail up to second level. Leave the trail at the KML turn off, going down drainage to the east. A few bushy areas before getting to first rappel can be avoided staying on the slickrock just LDC of the watercourse.
Descent
R1: 20’ off of tree LDC. Possible to downclimb.
R2: 90' off of tree RDC.
(Edit for snow, ice, or flow: need to extend rappel length to 110' to avoid the immediate downclimb with no traction)
R3: 25’ off of bush RDC. Possible to downclimb.
R4: 40' off of tree RDC.
Pack rope and walk 10 minutes down subway section.
R5: 25’ off of bolt LDC. Followed by 6' drop / downclimb LDC. ***Note*** Bolt at R1 has been cut by some rogue asshat with an angle grinder. Plan to rig off the tree set far back from the edge.
R6: 30' off of bolt LDC.
R7: 85' from a bolted anchor station LDC to the very bottom. (2-stages).
R8: 170' off of tree RDC. 130' to first ledge.
Exit
Follow drainage down until it connects with Fay Canyon trail. Follow Fay Canyon trail to trail head parking lot. If did not setup a shuttle, follow road up southwest to Bear Mountain TH.
Red tape
Red Rocks pass required for parking at trailhead. $5 per day at pay station at trailhead. Annual National Park Pass will also work.
Beta sites
sedonacanyoneering.com : Dillinger Canyon- wildpathsaz.com : Dillinger Canyon