The 35 Best Climbing Spots in America

The Midwest: Vertical Endeavors — Glendale Heights

Vertical Endeavors has five locations, but its Glendale Height facility is the most distinctive gym in the Midwest and the largest in the United States. In addition to three bouldering areas, this gym has Nicros 5.15 “wave walls,” overhangs, slabs, arêtes, and dihedrals, plus a dedicated crack climbing tower with replicas of five classic outdoor routes; one from Yosemite and four from Devils Tower. The ceiling is low, but the variety of styles available make up for it.

Closest Town: Glendale Heights, Illinois
Roped Routes: 200+
Wall Area: 45,000 sq. ft.
Wall Height: 30 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The Midwest: Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Breezy Point, Chopping Block, South Seas, Mount Baldy… Rushmore is full of diverse, large-grained granite crags and boulder fields, making it the best climbing area in the Black Hills National Forest. Unlike California’s Needles and Yosemite, the spires and domes in Rushmore are bolted for sport climbing — if you want a similar multi-pitch adventure without the stress of placing gear, this is your spot. “Rushmore is known for its adventure climbing,” Potter says. “You should visit if you love domes and spires, but the routes are intense. It’s not for beginners. There are some serious runouts and big, slippery crystals in the rock. Climbing at Rushmore is more civilized than in the old days, but still one of the most unique climbing areas in the country.”

Closest Town: Keystone, South Dakota
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14 , V0 – V11
Notable Routes: 653
Classics: Waves (5.8), Smear Campaign (5.10+), Mr. Critical (5.11), The Hurt Locker (V3), Orange Roughy (V6), Beetle Juice (5.12b)
When to Visit: May-October

The Northeast: Brooklyn Boulders, Somerville

Brooklyn Boulders Somerville offers the best indoor climbing in New England, but it’s more a community climbing center than a conventional rock gym. In addition to dynamic walls, yoga classes, saunas, a kids’ section, and a fitness area, it has a separate communal area for work and study, complete with an espresso bar and WiFi. Brooklyn Boulders’ newest location, Somerville aims to redefine the rock gym.

Closest Town: Somerville, Massachusetts
Roped Routes: 200+
Wall Area: 28,000 sq. ft
Wall Height: 50 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The Northeast: Rumney

A cluster of small, mountainside cliffs on the southwestern edge of the White River National Forest, Rumney is the best sport crag in New England. The fine-grained schist walls are rarely vertical, never straightforward, and always look like they’ve been crumpled by a giant and left to melt in the sun. The route and rock quality are excellent throughout the grade spectrum, and each cliff system is unique. “Rumney is the most coveted sport climbing area in the Northeast,” Hunter says. “It’s not as steep as Rifle in Colorado, but both have a high concentration of tough routes. A lot of great climbers have projects at Rumney.”

Closest Town: Rumney, New Hampshire
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14
Notable Routes: 723
Classics: Junco (5.8+), Lonesome Dove (5.10a), Waimea (5.10d), Flying Hawaiian (5.11b), Technosurfing (5.12b), Predator (5.13b)
When to Visit: April-October

The Northeast: The Gunks

Short for the Shawangunk Mountains, this quartz conglomerate area in southeastern New York is legendary for its horizontal cracks, long roof systems, and stiff grades. The Vulgarians — a group of hard-partying, daredevil climbers — established many of the Gunks’ classic trad routes in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and a new generation of climbers recently picked up where they left off. Climbs here are usually overhung jug-hauls with dizzying exposure. “The Shawangunks are super hard for their grades, which humbles you a bit,” Hunter says. “No other climbing area in America has those roofs and horizontal cracks. It’s a classic spot. Certainly one of the best places to visit in the Northeast.”

Closest Town: New Paltz, New York
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.13
Notable Routes: 923
Classics: High Exposure (5.6), Son of Easy O (5.8), Bonnie’s Roof (5.9), Directississima (5.10b), The Yellow Wall (5.11c), Supper’s Ready (5.12-)
When to Visit: April-October

The Southwest: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

A favorite of dirtbag climbers in the winter, Red Rock is one of the West’s most diverse crags: from bouldering to sport routes to multi-pitch trad, you’ll find tons of great lines here. It rarely rains at Red Rock, but stay off the routes if they’re wet — the sandstone is delicate and you’ll breaks holds and pop anchors. “You’ve got adventurous multi-pitches, classic sport climbs, everything,” Hunter says. “Lots of hard routes in Red Rock, so a lot of great climbers spend their winter there. But, the grades are usually soft, so it’s a good area for a beginner, too.”

Closest Town: Las Vegas, Nevada
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14
Notable Routes: 2,128
Classics: Epinephrine (5.9), The Fox (5.10+), Levitation 29 (5.11b/c), Cloud Tower (5.12-), The Gift (5.12d), Monster Skank (5.13b)
When to Visit: February-March, October-December

The Southwest: Mount Lemmon

Looming over Tucson’s suburbs in southeastern Arizona, Mount Lemmon’s 9,157-foot summit is often snowcapped during winter, but you can climb year-round on the lower-elevation routes. Many climbs are just off the Catalina Highway, which bisects the massif into east and west. Lemmon’s granite is solid — especially higher up the mountain — but perfect temps and a variety of moderate routes are what make it one of the United States’ best wintertime sport climbing destinations. “Tons and tons of crags on Lemmon,” Hunter says. “Just crazy variety. The routes aren’t usually world-class, but the amount of them, and the being able to climb year-round by switching elevation, that’s what makes it special. One of the largest areas in the Southwest, for sure.”

Closest Town: Tucson, Arizona
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14
Notable Routes: 1,752
Classics: Chihuahua Power (5.9), Nang (5.10b), Steve’s Arête (5.11a), Histoplasmosis (5.11+), Hard Day at the Orifice (5.12b), Coup d’état (5.13a/b)
When to Visit: Year-round

The Southwest: Hueco Tanks State Historic Site

Developed in the 1970s, Hueco Tanks is famous for its powerful bouldering on scalloped highballs and crimps, and the coolest problems are often overhung. Usually ranked with South Africa’s Rocklands and France’s Fontainebleau as one of the top bouldering areas in the world, bouldering was refined to an art at the Tanks. Many of Hueco’s boulders are illustrated with ancient, Native American rock art, and climbing is restricted to guided tours in three of the park’s four sectors. Access has been contentious for decades due to disrespectful behavior: stay on the paths, don’t litter, and never climb on restricted boulders. The route list changes regularly as boulders are closed and reopened. “There’s a reason it’s probably the most famous bouldering spot in the country,” Hunter says. “Hueco has some of the best overhung, powerful problems in the world, and it’s where that style was really pushed. If you only visit one bouldering area in America, I’d say visit the Tanks.”

Closest Town: El Paso, Texas
Grade Range: V0 – V14
Notable Routes: 483 +/-
Classics: The Maiden (V0), Nobody Here Gets Out Alive (V2), Lobster Claw (V5), Daily Dick Dose (V7), Mushroom Roof (V8), Full Service (V10)
When to Visit: January-March, November-December

The Southeast: Stone Summit — Atlanta

Georgia isn’t an outdoor climbing mecca, and it seems like the owners of Stone Summit’s Atlanta location tried to overcompensate. Built for competition climbing, it features an absurd number of overhangs and even entire roof systems. Stone Summit Atlanta also has a large bouldering area and all the other elite-gym perks — cardio and weight machines, a kiddy wall, and yoga classes.

Closest Town: Kennesaw, Georgia
Roped Routes: 200+
Wall Area: 30,000 sq. ft
Wall Height: 60 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The Southeast: Earth Treks, Rockville, Md.

Founded as an expedition company in 1990 by an AMGA mountain guide, Earth Treks opened its first climbing facility in 1997. Now a four-location chain, it’s one of the largest rock gym companies in the United States. The Rockville location is one of the country’s most dynamic gyms — hundreds of top-rope and lead climbs on slab, vertical, and overhung walls, a huge bouldering area, and separate weight, yoga, and training areas. Don’t forget the kiddy wall and learn-to-climb section either. Rockville is the best climbing gym in the Mid-Atlantic.

Closest Town: Rockville, Maryland
Roped Routes: 200+
Wall Area: 38,500 sq. ft.
Wall Height: 40 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The Southeast: Red River Gorge

The most popular crag east of the Mississippi, the Red is known for its powerful, overhung sport routes and high-level test pieces. Stretched out over several miles of the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky, many of the United States’ iconic single-pitch climbs are here — including Pure Imagination and The Golden Ticket — and the sandstone is bullet-hard. In Slade, Miguel’s Pizza is the legendary epicenter of the RRG’s climbing community. “It’s the best place in America for overhung sport climbing, without a doubt,” Potter says. “The routes are pumpy and dynamic, and the sandstone’s friction is great. It’s a cultural spot for the Southern climbing scene, but you also find people from all over the world there.”

Closest Town: Slade, Kentucky

Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14

Notable Routes: 1,597

Classics: 27 Years of Climbing (5.8), Plate Tectonics (5.9+), A Brief History of Climb (5.10b), Amarillo Sunset (5.11b), Jesus Wept (5.12d), Ultra-Perm (5.13d)

When to Visit: March-May, September-October

The Southeast: New River Gorge

Some climbers rank the New River Gorge below Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, but the New’s sandstone is also world-class, and there are enough routes to last a lifetime. Grades here are tougher than the RRG, the holds less visible, and the bolts spaced farther apart. The approaches can be long, which drives away less-dedicated climbers. Still, the New’s classic routes get crowded during peak season. “The New River Gorge is one of the original sport climbing areas in the United States,” Potter says. “Thousands of technical, precise sport routes, and usually on vertical walls. Plus, the Gorge is a BASE jumping area, if you need a break from climbing.”

Closest Town: Fayetteville, West Virginia

Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14

Notable Routes: 1,177

Classics: Mrs. Field’s Follies (5.8), Burning Calves (510b), Legacy (5.11a), Under the Milky Way (5.11d), Bullet the New Sky (5.12a/b), Apollo Reed (5.13a)

When to Visit: April-Mary, September-November

The Southeast: Horseshoe Canyon Ranch

Every September, hundreds of costumed climbing duos spend 24 hours in “Horseshoe Hell,” competing to finish the most routes on the sandstone cliffs at Horseshoe Canyon. Most of the climbs here are juggy, single-pitch sport routes, and the closely spaced bolts make it the perfect place practice lead climbing. “Another one of those ‘outdoor-climbing-gym’ kinda places,” says Potter. “It’s packed with routes on really high-quality rock. The climbs are short, but really fun and interesting. People always say that the friendly, communal atmosphere is one of the best parts.”

Closest Town: Jasper, Arkansas
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14 , V0 – V14
Notable Routes: 505
Classics: Green Goblin (5.8), Orange Crush (5.9+), Commodus (5.10b), Horseshoes and Hand Grenades (5.11a), Love Slave (5.11c), Fat Hand (5.12a)
When to Visit: March-May, September-October

The Southeast: Horse Pens 40

Renowned for its sloping sandstone boulders, “HP 40” hosts the final leg of the Triple Crown Bouldering Series every November. Some of the landing zones beneath Horse Pens’ highballs and overhung problems are difficult to protect, and the tough top-outs make this climbing area intimidating for beginners. If you visit during the muggy summer, boulder at night. “Horse Pens has a reputation as one of the best bouldering spots in the South, and definitely one of the hardest in that region,” Potter says. “People say that the atmosphere is different than similar bouldering areas in the West; a unique climbing community, somewhat secretive, out in the woods.”

Closest Town: Steele, Alabama

Grade Range: V0 – V12

Notable Routes: 293

Classics: Night Fever (V1+), Bumboy (V3), Mortal Combat (V4), Hammerhead (V5), Mulletino (V7), Slider Sit (V10)

When to Visit: October-January

The West: Sender One — Santa Ana

Chris Sharma, the best sport climber of his generation and a California native, owns Sender One and designed the Santa Ana location. This facility has all the typical corporate-gym fitness perks, but its tall walls and inspired route setting set this location apart from the pack. It’s easily the best gym in California.

Closest Town: Santa Ana, California
Roped Routes: 200+
Wall Area: 25,000 sq. ft.
Wall Height: 50 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The West: Portland Rock Gym

Portland Rock Gym is the second-oldest climbing gym in the United States, but since renovations in 2012 and 2015, it’s also one of the most distinct. New additions include a large highball bouldering area, separate yoga, instructional, and youth spaces, and a lounge with beer on tap. PRG’s old-school top rope and lead area — which still features the original Metolius hex-wall from 1988 — focuses on climbing that mimics real stone. As evidenced by its outdoor guiding service, summer camps, and focus on customer service, Portland Rock Gym has maintained a community feel, while doubling in size. PRG isn’t the flashiest climbing gym in the Pacific Northwest, but it is the most rounded.

Closest Town: Portland, Oregon
Roped Routes: 120
Wall Area: 25,000 sq. ft.
Wall Height: 40 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The West: Momentum — Millcreek

Opened in 2014, Millcreek is Momentum’s fifth location and the best climbing gym in the Mountain States. The owner, Jeff Pedersen, was the first to use the now-ubiquitous Walltopia walls, and the Momentum is constantly looking to innovate. The largest rock gym in the state, Millcreek has every type of route imaginable, and some of the overhangs run up to 70 feet. The gym is just south of Salt Lake City, which is home to many professional climbers.

Closest Town: Millcreek, Utah
Roped Routes: 190
Wall Area: 25,000 sq. ft.
Wall Height: 50 ft.
Bouldering: Yes

The West: Zion National Park

Less than an hour east of St. George’s boulder fields in southwestern Utah, Zion is known for multi-pitch trad routes on thin cracks and the epic scale of its red sandstone cliffs. The United States’ most famous big walls are in Yosemite Valley, but Zion’s canyons feature the highest concentration of them in a single area. There are hundreds of multi-pitch routes with little-to-no approach and solid anchors, in case you need to bail. Even a light rain will soften the rock, so stay off the walls if they’re damp. “Zion’s canyons are so unique, visually. Climbing anything with that type of geography would be worth a trip, but those sandstone big wall routes is unreal,” Hunter says. “If you’re getting into big walls, it’s the best spot for perfect your technique.”

Closest Town: Springdale, Utah
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.13
Notable Routes: 264
Classics: Ashtar Command (5.9), The Headache (5.10), Tatooine (5.11a), Crimson King (5.11c), Huecos Rancheros (5.12b/c), Moonlight Buttress (5.12d)
When to Visit: March-May, October-November

The West: Yosemite National Park — Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is the most iconic trad climbing area in the country, and arguably the world. The Valley is the heart of the United States’ climbing culture, and thousands of dirtbags spend their summers and falls sleeping in the legendary Camp 4 and projecting the granite big walls and boulders nearby. Zion National Park has more big walls, but this sector of Yosemite is home the best big wall on Earth, El Capitan. “Nothing really needs to be said. It’s Yosemite,” Hunter says. “It should be number one on your bucket list.”

Closest Town: El Portal, California
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.14 , V0 – V13
Notable Routes: 715
Classics: Nutcracker (5.8), The Nose (5.9 C2), Serenity Crack (5.10d), Astroman (5.11c), Heaven (5.12d), The Phoenix (5.13a)
When to Visit: May-July, September-November

The West: Yosemite National Park — Tuolumne Meadows

Close to Yosemite’s east entrance and away from the crowded Valley, Tuolumne’s massive domes and scattered boulder fields make it one of the most dynamic climbing areas in the West. The knobby granite and mild summer temps are unique to this section of the park. Peaceful and packed with challenges. “When someone says Tuolumne, I think of alpine lakes, slabby domes, and cool summertime climbing, but the best part is how relaxing it is compared to the Valley,” Hunter says. “No crowds, so you can take your time.”

Closest Town: Lee Vining, California
Grade Range: 5.6 – 5.13 , V0 – V13
Notable Routes: 473
Classics: Southeast Buttress of Cathedral Peak (5.6), On the Lamb (5.9), Bombs Over Tokyo (5.10c), Blues Riff (5.11b/c), Kauk Problem (V5), Cellulite Eliminator (V7)
When to Visit: May-October