Climb. Sleep. Repeat.

Ouray has recently gained a reputation for some of the best rock climbing on the western slope and the Four Corners area.

Although better known for its ice climbing, Ouray has recently gained a reputation for some of the best rock climbing on the western slope and the Four Corners area. There are great areas for beginners and families, and an ever growing number of high quality routes for more advanced climbers. Most routes are pre-equipped sport climbs boasting sturdy stainless steel bolts up steep limestone faces. Areas like the Pool Wall have quickly become popular with visiting climbers, as well as tourists watching and soaking in the hot springs below. Less experienced climbers can enjoy a more relaxed adventure at a number of smaller cliffs set in the woods around town. Better yet, check in with one of our local guide services and let them teach you the ropes safely. Always wear a helmet, and check out out our bookstore and outdoor shop for the latest edition of the local guidebook.

Climbing Areas Around Ouray

Ouray offers a little bit of everything for the rock climber over its 150+ rock climbing routs: sport, trad, mixed and even summer dry-tooling for the out-of-season ice enthusiast. Our local rock is just as varied with solid quartzite, blocky sandstone, and crumbly tuffa to keep things interesting. Below are some of our favorite areas in and around town to climb. When you are climbing around Ouray, definitely refer to our local professional guide services<-[hyperlink] and the local guidebook - the Ouray Rock Climbing Guide - available at our local bookstores. It will give you access information and the best climbing etiquette for each of our popular areas.

Rotary Park
The City of Ouray maintains this beautiful park just one mile north of Ouray. This is fun sport and trad practice climbing area for the whole family with safe, easy and accessible single pitch climbs. The park also offers convenient public facilities and a great picnic spot under huge cottonwood trees.

The Pool Wall
The Pool Wall encompasses the steep rock cliffs in a mini-amphitheater just east of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. This area features Ouray's highest quantity of routes and one of the shortest approaches. Climbs here are mostly single-pitch sport routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.13+. You’ll be entertaining pool customers while you’re up there, too, since many of the climbs are in full view of the Ouray Hot Springs Pool.

The Sandias
These are the beautiful red rock cliffs on the west side of Ouray, accessed by the Old Twin Peaks Trail. About a dozen routes offer multi-pitch mixed bolted/trad routes that offer absolutely stunning views of Ouray from the top.

The Overlook Cliff
This is a nice crag with pretty great views up the Uncompahgre River canyon and down into Ouray. Most of the climbs are bolted sport routes in the 5.11 range. The approach is a hike in from the Sutton Mine Trail.

Roadside Attraction
Also along Camp Bird Road, a little closer to town, Roadside Attraction features fun climbing on solid quartzite with two personalities: an easier slab on the north and a series of 5.10+ climbs on the south.

Upper Camp Bird Road
The beautiful scenery along Camp Bird Road offers some incredible ice/mixed climbing, bolted rock/drytooling routes and bouldering. The volcanic rock is a little crumbly and lacks natural protection.
There are a number of bolted routes right off the road in the Skylight Area, just be aware of the many offroad and recreational users along Camp Bird Road in the summer months.