Rock climbing is an exciting sport that gets your blood pumping, gives you an incredible adrenaline rush, and leaves you with a sense of achievement after each successful climb. Still, this doesn’t mean you should try to climb the first rocky formation you see.
Becoming comfortable is one of the critical elements in rock climbing. The best way to achieve this is to start with simple courses before gradually taking the more challenging ones. To help you get over that hump, we prepared a list of the best rock climbing spots for beginners in the United States. Check them out below.
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Red River Gorge is considered a treat for all rock climbers, regardless of their expertise. This canyon system, located in Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest, has countless spots where you can enjoy a safe, long, and most importantly, fun climb. The area’s rock climbing guidebook details more than 1600 climbs but admits that even this is just scratching the surface of the Red River Gorge’s offering.
Pinnacles National Park, California
Pinnacles National Park has an abundance of spots suited for rock climbing novices. You’ll recognize the easy routes by catchy names such as “Discovery Wall” and “Tourist Trap.” However, this doesn’t mean you won’t have fun, since the views are awesome and the climb is engaging enough not to be boring.
The Shawangunks, New York
The Shawangunks is the favorite climbing spot for New Yorkers, but the rest of the nation is quickly catching up. The area offers ideal conditions for beginners, having hundreds of climbs rated between 5.0 and 5.8. This will allow you to hone your skills organically.