Rocky Mountain National Park Climbing

This digital Rocky Mountain National Park climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Rocky Mountain National Park days smoother, safer, and more dialed.

For many climbers, bouldering Rocky Mountain National Park represents a near-perfect experience. The towering peaks, unpredictable weather, rocky landings, difficult problems, long days, and breathtaking scenery all combine for a unique adventure found nowhere else in the world.

SEASON: Typically June through October, depending on the altitude of the zone you’re visiting. In mid-summer, the Bear Lake Parking lot can be full by 7am, so get there early!

Mid-to-late-Summer thunderstorms are common and can be dangerous - especially in Chaos ... Show more

This digital Rocky Mountain National Park climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Rocky Mountain National Park days smoother, safer, and more dialed. For many climbers, bouldering Rocky Mountain National Park represents a near-perfect experience. The towering peaks, unpredictable weather, rocky landings, difficult problems, long days, and breathtaking scenery all combine for a unique adventure found nowhere else in the world. SEASON: Typically June through October, depending on the altitude of the zone you’re visiting. In mid-summer, the Bear Lake Parking lot can be full by 7am, so get there early! Mid-to-late-Summer thunderstorms are common and can be dangerous - especially in Chaos Canyon, where climbers have been known to be struck by lightning. Pay attention to the weather throughout the day, as storms can build up quickly. Hypothermia and the effects of altitude are also risks in the alpine, so prepare accordingly. ETHICS: Bouldering in RMNP is a privilege and we should do everything we can to preserve and protect the resource and our opportunity to climb there. While in the park, remember, you are in an area regulated by the federal government, and breaking the law is a federal offense. Climbers have often worked with park rangers to establish a sustainable bouldering area. - Do not stash gear. - Pulverized rosin (POF) should never be used. - Chipping and gluing are absolutely not permitted. - Stay on marked trails and social trails described in the text or rock surfaces whenever possible. Avoid trampling vegetation. - Fires are strictly prohibited at all areas in the guidebook. - Playing music is unacceptable. This goes against the rules of wilderness and the Leave No Trace ethic. - No deck style landings or cutting down trees. This is one of the most significant issues facing bouldering in RMNP. Please do not cut down trees to make a landing for your sick new project. - Be considerate of other visitors. ​​- Drone flight is prohibited in all wilderness areas as designated by the National Wilderness Preservation System. - No dogs are allowed on trails in RMNP. - It is the local ethic to clean the chalk off the problem as best you can when finished, and to gently brush the holds between attempts. Buy the paper book: https://stores.sharpendbooks.com/rocky-mountain-national-park-bouldering/ GETTING THERE Climbers visiting internationally should use Denver International Airport (DEN). RMNP is 71 miles from downtown Denver, and the closest town to RMNP is Estes Park - about an hour and a half drive. ACCOMMODATIONS Estes Park is the jumping point for most everyone entering the park from the east. There are many hotels in Estes Park, and visitors should expect to have reservations in the summer months and to pay over $200 a night. CAMPING For many climbers on a limited budget, hotels are simply not an option. For the climber looking to camp, there are private pay-campgrounds in Estes Park. Rates vary from $20 to $60 a night, depending on your vehicle, the season, and your desired level of comfort. For climbers looking to camp within RMNP (closer to the boulders than Estes Park) there are five pay-campgrounds, with a total of 586 campsites. This is the cheapest option for those looking to stay in the area. The maximum stay allowed is seven nights from June 1–Sept 30 and 14 nights from Oct 1–May 31. The campgrounds closest to the bouldering are Aspenglen, Glacier Basin, and Moraine Park. Campsites are $20 a night. Visit recreation.gov to make a reservation. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. There is extensive information about the camping in RMNP on recreation.gov and the park service website. For those who don’t mind making the hour or so drive (depending on the tourist traffic) every climbing day, the best option is to find a friend in Boulder or Fort Collins and crash on their couch. There is no free camping in Estes Park or Boulder. TIMED-ENTRY SYSTEM As of September, 2022, there is a timed-entry system into the Park between Memorial Day and mid to late October. The permits can be obtained at recreation.gov and each permit will cover one vehicle and everyone carpooling. Each vehicle needs a permit to enter the park. NOTE: If you are attempting to climb along Bear Lake Rd, you will need a timed entry permit for RMNP + Bear Lake Rd corridor.