Rock Climbing in Ouray: A Vertical Adventure Awaits

Whether you're a seasoned climber or just starting out, Ouray, Colorado, offers world-class rock climbing with breathtaking scenery. From challenging alpine routes in the San Juan Mountains to beginner-friendly crags along the Uncompahgre River, there's a climb for every skill level. With solid rock, varied terrain, and a welcoming climbing community, Ouray is a premier destination for those looking to test their skills and experience the thrill of climbing in the Rockies.

Climbing Areas Around Ouray

  • 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/dry-tooling 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 off-road and recreational users along Camp Bird Road in the summer months.