Five of the best Parks to go Rock Climbing

We've provided a list of national parks that offer some of the best experiences for climbers of all levels. Whether you are just starting out your climbing journey or have been sending it for years, be sure to check out these national parks for some epic routes!

Yosemite

One of the top global destinations for climbing, Yosemite Valley is home to some of the most iconic climbs that are visited by climbers from all over! Whether you are just starting your outdoor climbing journey or a seasoned outdoor climber, Yosemite should be on your list for places to visit. While recognized as a popular climbing destination, it's also important to remember that the walls and crags are actually part of a larger ecosystem that is considered protected wilderness and is being preserved for generations to come. That being said, the impact of having so many visitors can be noticed in ways like erosion and vegetation loss on approach trails as well as water pollution from improper waste disposal. We can help reduce this impact by leaving it better than you found it! When visiting, always remember to follow park guidelines, engage in safe climbing practices, and last but not least pick up after yourself and others. You can learn more about Yosemite’s climbing regulations here and if you plan on overnight climbs, you can learn more about wilderness climbing permits here. 
 

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree offers over 8,000 climbing routes and 2,000 boulder problems, providing a challenge for climbers of all levels! Known for its crack, slab, and steep face climbing routes it has become a popular destination over the years, especially during the winter months. Considering it is a popular destination, make sure to plan ahead! While campsites are abundant they can often fill up quickly. For those who are new to climbing at Joshua Tree, you may choose to hire a guide from the local area. Should you choose to spend the day with a guide, just ensure that your guide has the highest levels of rock guiding certifications through the PCGI, AMGA, or similar organizations. Whether you are with a guide or adventuring on your own, make sure to practice Leave No Trace Principles and contribute to the preservation of this beautiful park! You can read more about Leave No Trace principles here as well as Joshua Tree’s specific climbing guidelines here. With the summer months already here, be sure to plan accordingly for the heat and hydrate appropriately!
 

Acadia

For our National Park lovers on the east coast, Acadia offers some amazing climbing opportunities with beautiful ocean views! Most of the climbing routes in Acadia are composed of solid coarse-grained peak granite along with routes that are 3 pitch climbs at most. You can find some of Acadia’s best climbs at Otter Cliff, Precipice, South Bubble, and Great Head. You can also find some great bouldering routes along the beach at areas like Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs. If you are new to climbing and are looking for a guided experience, you can find private climbing instruction and guides from local companies in Bar Harbor. Keep in mind that any group must be 12 people or fewer and permits are required for organized groups of more than 5 at Otter Cliff. These restrictions are in place to preserve the park and its resources for generations to come! With the cold season drawing to an end, make sure to visit this amazing park for some unique sea cliff climbing that is hard to find in other climbing destinations. As always, be sure to leave it better than you found it!
 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is known for its incredible canyon views and highly rated climbs. This park is typically by climbers with more experience under their belt as only about 30 climbs are rated below 5.9 while the majority of climbs here have ratings between 5.10 and 5.13 that typically require aid. Due to the few people that take on these challenging climbs, there is little formal information about these routes aside from the few guidebooks that exist. We recommend visiting the South Rim Visitor Center or North Rim Ranger Station on arrival to gather more information before you begin your approach. It's also important to remember that the cliffs in this park serve as nesting for peregrine falcons. To preserve these ecosystems and protect these birds, several routes may be closed from March 15 to July 15. You can find more information about route closures here.
 

Zion

Zion boasts some of the highest sandstone cliffs making it a popular destination for the more experienced climber. While sport climbing and top rope opportunities are scarce within the park, there is a plethora of trad climbs of all levels making it a great destination for those looking to start their trad climbing experience or for those with years of trad climbing experience. With summer quickly approaching, that also means you are likely to encounter heavy rainstorms while adventuring in the park. It's important to keep this in mind as desert sandstone is heavily weakened when wet which means that all climbing should be kept on pause in order to preserve and protect the rock. A good indicator of when it's ok to get back on the crag is the ground. If the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. We encourage you to respect this phenomenon and seek out climbing on alternative rock like limestone, granite, and basalt which can be found near the park. Similar to Black Canyon, cliffs in Zion are used by peregrine falcons as nesting locations. This means that several climbing routes are closed temporarily from March 1 to mid/late summer every year. You can take a look at this guide provided by the National Park Service for the latest information on closures.