Great Places To Rock Climb In The United States

Great Places To Rock Climb In The United States Andrew Elsoffer

Rock climbing was a sport reserved for the most athletic up until recently. Over the last few years, rock climbing gyms have popped up all over the country, making the sport more accessible regardless of athleticism or experience.

After spending a lot of time in a rock climbing gym, you might be thinking about taking the next step, which in this case would be going and climbing up an actual rock wall. This takes a lot of hard work and determination, but it’s certainly achievable. A great place to start is by figuring out a few great places across the United States where you can go rock climbing.

RED RIVER GORGE – SLADE, KENTUCKY Many travelers look at Kentucky and think there’s not much to do there, but the Red River Gorge is more than enough reason to go. This area has plenty of great rock climbing routes that are suitable for everyone. It has a variety of routes within the 5.6 and 5.8 range, and many climbers just call it “The Red.” If you want a guide during your climb, there are loads of great climbing guide companies in the area that will be more than happy to help with all of your needs.

DEVIL’S LAKE STATE PARK, WISCONSIN Many Midwest climbers are frustrated by the lack of great routes in the region, especially since all of the climbs are out west or along the east coast.

Fortunately, Wisconsin has plenty of great cliffs that are accessible on a budget. Experienced climbers shouldn’t have much problem with these cliffs, but lesser experienced climbers have plenty of access to climbing guides. One of the best things about this area is that you can take a dip in the lake below when you’re done to get some relief from your sore muscles.

LEAVENWORTH, WASHINGTON Although Leavenworth is best known for its location in Washington, it’s also an amazing place to go rock climbing. This region has plenty of routes that are suitable for everyone, and there are plenty of granite crags to choose from. After climbing, head to Leavenworth’s Bavarian-themed village for some German food and brews. This area has plenty of history in the climbing industry, and it’s a great place to relax after a long day.

DEVIL’S TOWER, WYOMING Situated in the Wyoming wilderness, Devil’s Tower features hexagonal columns that are known for their great crack climbing. Some of the routes here are not boltable, so you’ll need to bring various equipment with you, such as cameras and safety devices. The park’s website has the most current information about the closures that are happening in the area due to the nesting of falcons in the area as well as because of a native tribe located there.

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