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  • Rock Climbing
  • Colorado

    Looking for the best rock climbing in Colorado? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Colorado. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Rock Climbing Spots in and near Colorado

    • Colorado Springs, Colorado

      Perkins Central Garden Trail

      5.0
      1.13 mi / 138 ft gain
      Garden of the Gods has dozens of hiking trails that cover miles through the park itself. The Perkins Central Garden Trail takes you through the heart of the rock formations and really gives you perspective on the size of these red rocks. This trail also takes you past several areas where rock cl...
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    • Nederland, Colorado

      Climb in Boulder Canyon

      5.0
      Heading west from Boulder, take CO 119/Boulder Canyon Drive into Boulder Canyon. Once you're in the canyon, there are many areas that all have great climbing. For the more traditional climber, there are areas such as Castle Rock (39.9787, -105.4551) and the Happy Hour Crag (40.0033, -105.3939). P...
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    • Montrose, Colorado

      Hike the Gunnison Route

      5.0
      2 mi / 1800 ft gain
      Immediately upon arriving, secure a permit to scramble down 1,800ft in one mile to the Gunnison River. There are no hiking trails below the rim of the canyon, and because of its relentless steepness and rock exposure, the only existing routes are incredibly steep and loose. To protect the delicat...
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Climb Notchtop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park

      5.0
      3.5 mi / 1550 ft gain
      Park at Bear Lake, and follow the signs north of the lake to Odessa Lake. However, do NOT go all the way to Odessa Lake; after about 3 miles, when Notchtop is in full view, the trail begins to descend to Odessa Lake. Find an unmarked spur trail to the left which leads to shallow Lake Helene, then...
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    • Carbondale, Colorado

      Explore Hayes Creek Falls

      3.5
      0 mi
      Right off of Highway 133 about 2 miles south of Redstone, lies a very easy-to-get-to Waterfall. Park your car off to the side of the highway, walk about 100 feet and you will find this glorious waterfall. The fall is best to see in the late Spring to early Summer. From late Spring, to early Summe...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Shanahan Ridge Trail

      4.0
      3.84 mi / 715 ft gain
      Starting on the edge of a neighborhood in South Boulder, this 3.8 mile loop begins its 869 foot elevation gain by meandering through a pine forest. You can 'choose your own adventure' by exploring the handful of trails that meet up with the Shanahan Ridge Trail, such as the South Mesa Trail, Shad...
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    • Ouray County, Colorado

      Climb Mt. Sneffels via the Southwest Ridge

      4.5
      3 mi / 1800 ft gain
      There is a great description of this trailhead here: Hike Mount SneffelsThe SW Ridge route of Mt Sneffels is a Class III scramble in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness area of the San Juan Range located between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado. This route is 3 miles RT with 1,800 feet of elevation gain ...
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    • Chaffee County, Colorado

      Off-Trail Hike of Limestone Ridge

      4.0
      9 mi / 1000 ft gain
      Finding a winter or early spring adventure that won't take you deep into dangerous mountain territory, while still providing epic vistas, is a challenge in Colorado. There are a few 10,000' tall ranges that sometimes escape deep snow, which are inviting for a first step into the alpine wonderland...
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    • Leadville, Colorado

      Mounts Democrat, Lincoln, Cameron and Bross (CLOSED)

      4.0
      8 mi / 3500 ft gain
      NOTE: As of March 2023, access to parts of this loop that are on private property (including Mt. Democrat & Mt. Lincoln) are closed to the public indefinitely. (Source) Find your way to the Kite Lake trailhead near Alma, Colorado. The road up to the trailhead is suitable for most vehicles, i...
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    • Dillon, Colorado

      Hike the 7:30 Mine Road in Silver Plume

      4.0
      5 mi / 1200 ft gain
      With a name like 7:30 Mine Road, this is one hike I had to investigate to see if it lives up to its name. Even though this is an easier hike than I normally choose, what it lacks in challenging terrain, it makes up for in historic interest. The view isn’t too bad, either.7:30 Mine Road is about t...
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    • Boulder, Colorado

      Rock Climb Supremacy Rock in Eldorado Canyon

      5.0
      This is a great spot for beginner climbers, as long as you have an experienced climber with you to anchor the top rope and belay you. It is in a beautiful state park, Eldorado Canyon, in Boulder, Colorado. This canyon is famous for rock climbing and attracts climbers from around the country. Many...
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    • Durango, Colorado

      Climb Fuller Peak

      3.0
      Begin by hiking the Ice Lakes Trail for 3.5 miles, which will take you to Ice Lake. From here, you can identify the obvious, delta-shaped mountain to climber's left, known as Fuller Peak (13,761ft). Hike cross country, directly toward the base of the North Ridge (right skyline), walking past Full...
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    • Westcliffe, Colorado

      Summit Kit Carson Peak

      12.4 mi / 6323 ft gain
      There are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...
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    • Estes Park, Colorado

      Rock Climb above Lilly Lake

      3.5
      Lilly Lake is known as a very popular, easy hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lilly Lake itself is very pretty and also has some good fishing and walking opportunities.Rock rises up nearby the northwest area of the lake, and offers some of the most fun rock climbing in the area. There are num...
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    • Loveland, Colorado

      Climb Green Ridge in the Roosevelt National Forest

      9.8 mi / 2400 ft gain
      Green Ridge is a fantastic series of summits in the Front Range that make for excellence training hikes, but is often forgotten as it lies outside of the nearby Bobcat Ridge Natural Area and just inside of Roosevelt National Forest. The summit itself at 7,402' is fantastic, featuring a nearly 900...
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    • Ridgway, Colorado

      Ice Climb the Ouray Ice Park

      5.0
      Over a mile of the Uncompahgre Gorge is farmed for ice every year and they have gotten very good at it!! The ice park begins at the southern edge of town and continues south through the gorge for approximately 1 mile. The ice park is typically open from mid December-late March.If you enjoy gettin...
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