8 Amazing Places for Rock Climbing

Rock climbing can be an extraordinary adventure. Join the thrill and chill that comes from visiting some of these amazing rock climbing spots!

1. Zion National Park in Utah

With 2,000-foot sandstone wall climbs, for experienced climbers only, Zion is the place to be. Despite being for experienced climbers, Zion offers easily accessed boulders in the main canyon. There are also other climbing activities such as top roping, sport climbing, and there are bouldering areas as well.

2. Acadia National Park in Maine

Acadia offers a truly unique experience! Grasp the opportunity to climb 60-foot pink granite cliffs, which sit at the edge of the sea! Go see the amazing sights at Otter Cliffs and Great Head. Those climbers who do take on this adventure will need to stay aware of tides and weather, however. Enjoy crack and face climbs, and bouldering along the ocean, as well. Acadia has beginner climbs and 1 to 3 pitch routes up to 5.12.

3. Joshua Tree National Park in California

Joshua Tree has more than 400 climbing formations and 8,000 climbing routes. The monzogranite mecca has traditional-style crack, slab, and steep-face climbing for all ability levels, from beginner to expert. Bouldering and slacklining are also popular activities at Joshua. Avoid visiting during scorching summers.

4. Arches National Park in Utah

Arches’ beautiful climbing routes are recommended for climbers that are advanced to expert only. The climbs are for those seeking adventure and excitement. This park adopted a plan that notifies climbers of regulations, safety concerns, and closures, and climbers are encouraged to register for a free permit.

5. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

There are around 800 routes and over 200 peaks in Grand Teton. They range from easy to very difficult climbs through rock, snow, and ice. Most routes can be taken in a single day, but some can take longer, requiring a bivouac or a camping permit.

6. Colorado National Monument in Colorado

Colorado National Monument has sandstone cliffs with 150 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.13, and most are advanced. One day routes, along the canyon walls, come to the Independence Monument. There are endless opportunities for scrambling and bouldering along crags.

7. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan

Pictured Rocks offers the rare experience of ice climbing. This is available from December through March.  Because of the numerous waterfalls and water seeping out of sandstone, curtains of ice are formed, creating a 20 to 50-foot height at Sand Point. Miners Falls, a 40-foot column that requires a three-mile trek through the snow, is 1.2 miles south of Miners basin falls and climbers can visit nearby Grand Island National Recreation Area.

8. Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky

Last but not least is Eastern Kentucky’s sandstone cliffs. These cliffs are world-renowned for climbing, especially those in the Red River Gorge Geological Area. The Eastern Kentucky cliffs have the greatest concentration of arches east of the Rocky Mountains, and the Red’s small cliffs are no taller than 200 feet, but offer challenging overhanging faces. There are also a number of sport climbing routes available to climbers.