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Sam's Throne & Surroundings

Arkansas > North-Central Arkansas

Overview

The true origin of Ozark climbing stems from this area. Aesthetically pleasing faces loom over an exposed ridge littered with beautiful pines below.

Sam's Throne is the patriarch to all climbing in Arkansas and still holds a truly classic ethic on how climbing is conducted in the area. Few sport lines exist here, however the ones that do are some of the best around.

To fill your sport climbing fix, one must travel to

Valley Of The Blind

An exposed valley of rock that hosts some of the best lines in the state.

Cave Creek

Cliff band on the opposite side of Sam's Throne that hosts many classics one one of the more aesthetic areas in the region.

Candy Mountain

An annex of the cave creek valley. Home to many tall and harder lines that will keep you coming back for more.

Getting There

Just south of Mt. Judea on HWY 123.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

"Windy Arm Buster"<br> <br> Sam's Throne
[Hide Photo] "Windy Arm Buster" Sam's Throne
Smooth Operator
[Hide Photo] Smooth Operator
Tiny hitch hiking lizard at Sam's Throne wanted an easy ride to the top.
[Hide Photo] Tiny hitch hiking lizard at Sam's Throne wanted an easy ride to the top.
Sam's Throne
[Hide Photo] Sam's Throne
Matt Daniels on "The Show Me State"<br> <br> Photo: Tyler Casey
[Hide Photo] Matt Daniels on "The Show Me State" Photo: Tyler Casey
Rock Climbing Arkansas by Cole Fennel
[Hide Photo] Rock Climbing Arkansas by Cole Fennel

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Jason Haas
Broomfield, CO
[Hide Comment] The new comprehensive color guidebook to the state by Cole Fennel is now available in stores. This tome is 400 pages and describes nearly 1500 routes and 350 boulder problems. Nov 2, 2009
Tony Mayse
[Hide Comment] Cole's book is a nice color guide with nice action photos. The book down grades many routes. I have been climbing in Arkansas for the last 20 years and am taken back by the the multiple down grades on routes that have been established and confirmed by many climbers over the years. Ratings should not be down graded once you have dialed the route and decided that it is easier. Grades are set for on-sights not rehearsed work sessions. Clay's book gives a more realistic rating of the routes in my opinion. May 15, 2010
Luke Stollings
Austin, TX
[Hide Comment] See more comments about the Rock Climbing in Arkansas guidebook by Cole Fennel at the main Arkansas page mountainproject.com/v/arkan… including a review I wrote for Google Books. Jun 29, 2010
Creed Archibald
Salt Lake City, UT
[Hide Comment] Remember there is NO trash service at the Sam's Throne campground.

People have been piling trash in the outhouses. It's just sitting there, attracting pests. Please pack it out. Sep 6, 2015
Will Bywaters
Fayetteville, AR
[Hide Comment] The guidebook says that you can walk along the cliff line at Cave creek to Candy Mountain in about 15 minutes. My buddy and I tried this and it took over an hour of bushwhacking to get to candy. I would not recommend doing it. Feb 15, 2019
Daniel Provasnik
Bonne Terre, MO
[Hide Comment] If you're climbing at Sam's make sure to check out The Neighborhood Diner if you're heading through Harrison on your way home. Crag dog friendly with outdoor seating! The staff at the restaurant was super nice even though we showed up close to close and the food was great. Mar 3, 2020