Rock Climbing

Outdoor Climbing

With millions of acres of public lands, some of the best climbing in the West is found right here in Nevada—including in many places where very few have climbed before. Rely on tried and true routes and climbing areas that are part of every climber’s dream, as well as a few hidden verticals where it’s just you, your crew, and some wild slabs of rock.

A quick 45 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip, get in on some of the world’s best climbing at Red Rock National Conservation Area and Calico Basin. Watch climbers strut their stuff—or harness up and join them— at this home to more than 2,000 routes among gorgeous burnt sienna sandstone. From easy-access top-rope climbing, to expertly bolted sport climbing and multi-pitch trad routes, and tons of bouldering, these Joshua tree-cloaked Mojave desertscapes serve up every type of climbing out there. Also, in the Vegas area, retreat to cooler temperatures in the Mount Charleston Wilderness Area. Sports routes connoisseurs of limestone lines should head to the Spring Mountains, which promise overhanging caves and even ice climbing at Mary Jane Falls during winter months. 

Beyond Vegas, some of the best southern Nevada climbing awaits in Rainbow Canyon, just 20 minutes outside of Caliente. Serving up both sport and trad climbing, count on striking cliffs just off the road, complete with beautiful corners and clean, blank-face climbs with bolts. With a variety of routes established by some area climbing pioneers, grab onto a handful of crowdless climbs like the storied Finlay Crack. 

Up north, take advantage of some great Lake Tahoe granite climbs at Trippy Rock and Spooner Crag, both of which have great edges for beginner, intermediate and advanced climbers—not to mention unbeatable views of Big Blue. In the Elko area, head for Lamoille Canyon and the Ruby Mountains. Most routes within this glacially carved canyon are short bolted routes on small crags and lower angle climbs leading up to enormous overhanging walls, along with several big aid routes and winter ice climbs, too. A climbers utopia, Lamoille Canyon is full of rock and perfect for the adventurous climber looking to get off the beaten… crack. 

Indoor Climbing

Some climbers like to playfully refer to Red Rock as the world’s most vibrant outdoor climbing “gym.” However, if it’s changing challenges and plastic handholds you’re after, Las Vegas and Reno have you covered. Get the big picture on the planet’s largest climbing wall in downtown Reno, where you can scale the 16-story wall of the Whitney Peak Hotel. This landmark in the world of climbing makes up the outdoor arm of BaseCamp, a larger-than-life rock climbing gym, featuring a 7,000 square foot indoor bouldering park complete with a separate kids room.

Nevada’s largest and tallest indoor rock climbing gym is also in Reno, at Mesa Rim Climbing Center. Get in on private climbing lessons, group instruction, and connect with the northern Nevada climbing community at the gym’s visitor center. If you’re in southern Nevada and looking for a quick indoor climbing session, ways to connect with the Las Vegas climbing community, or to get a climbing guide at Red Rock and beyond, stop by Red Rock Climbing Center.