Colorado Rock Climbing

The Rockies offer some of the best and most varied climbing terrains in the country. Rock climbing is found all around Colorado, both indoors and out. For those new to rock climbing, lessons and guides are available to ensure you have a safe and fun time.

Rock Climbing Guides in Colorado

Whether it’s your first-time outdoor climbing or you’ve done it for years, having a guide to show you the ropes and best routes, is invaluable. Experience rock climbing tours are available year-round throughout Colorado, with some guides taking trips into eastern Utah.

Indoor Rock Climbing Gyms in Colorado

Rain or snow won’t slow you down at these great indoor climbing gyms. Learn the basics of bouldering and rock climbing, and perfect your skills at indoor venues around the state. Lessons and equipment rentals are available at each location.

Via Ferratas in Colorado

Via ferratas are known in Italian as the “iron path”. They combine some aspects of rock climbing with hiking. It’s basically a trail on the side of a mountain, so ladders and clipping in are required at times. You go horizontal instead of vertically up and down. With a guided tour, this activity is open to a range of ages and skill levels and available across the Colorado Rockies.

Colorado State Parks with Rock Climbing

A number of state parks permit rock climbing. You can check with the visitor center for current conditions. You’ll need your own rock climbing equipment to climb at a state park, as just the routes are provided.

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Guide to Rock Climbing in Colorado

Colorado’s mountainous terrain provides a world class play ground for rock climbers. And thanks to it’s varied landscape, you can rock climb year round in places, when the weather’s right.

You can learn to rock climb at indoor climbing gyms across the state. Take lessons or just go out there and do your best. Routes are numbered for difficulty, so it’s easy to follow these color coded routes. Get in top climbing shape inside and then head outdoors for the real thing.

Where to Rock Climb

You can rock climb nearly everywhere west of Colorado’s plains. Federal lands, such as national parks and forests are great places, as well as in state, county and city parks, all permit climbing in places. Public parks with rock climbing include:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – Montrose
• Castlewood Canyon State Park – Franktown
• Colorado National Monument – Fruita
• Eldorado​ Canyon State Park – Eldorado Springs
• Garden Of The Gods – Colorado Springs

Equipment for Rock Climbing

Guided rock climbing trips will provide all the necessary equipment for you to use. And if you go indoor climbing at a local gym, they will have equipment for you to rent. So rest assured, rock climbing is simple to try, and a fun sport for all ages and abilities. Routes range from easy to expert.

When you’re ready and you know you’ll be sticking with it, you can buy all the gear necessary, or just start with a pair of shoes, harness and belay. This is enough to get you by at the local indoor climbing gyms.

• Rock climbing shoes
• Climbing harness
• Belay device
• Carabiners
• Chalk pouch and chalk
• Climbing helmet
• Climbing rope

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Related Activities

Never leave the ground on a hike in the Rockies. Guided rafting trips are available at rivers across the state.