Discover the Thrills of Rock Climbing at Austin Bouldering Project You Wont Believe What Happens Next

Austin is filled with craggy walls and limestones cliffs perfect for climbing and bouldering. In fact, the city is home to a robust population of climbers. And visitor or local, beginner or pro, you don’t have to go far to send it.

This gym with locations in South and East Austin is all about bouldering. So don’t expect to find any ropes or harnesses here. But boulder problems? You’ll find those in abundance. Walls are as high as 17 feet and problems change multiple times per week. Plus there are fitness and yoga classes and a weight room so you can blast your quads or squeeze in some hang board training. A day pass is $20 for adults, $18 for young adults (14-23 years) and $13 for youth (13 & under). And if you need to rent shoes, they’re free on your first visit.

Prefer the security of a rope and harness when you climb? Good news: you’ll find it at Crux in South and Central Austin. Crux has plenty of space to get vertical, but if you prefer to stay close to the ground, there are bouldering walls for that, too. Other amenities include a space for weight training and fitness classes (including yoga). A day pass is $22, $16 for students, military and youth. Need a harness and shoes? Rent them both for $5.

Rock Climbing & Bouldering In Austin

Looking for a little something for everyone? Mesa Rim is Austin's newest indoor climbing gym complete with 50, 000 square feet of climbing and bouldering walls, a speed wall, and yoga and fitness programs with dedicated training areas. Whether you plan to bring the whole family, or are just looking for some fun fitness time during your stay in Austin, Mesa Rim is the ideal place to have fun while you sweat. Day passes are $25, $18 for guests 17 and younger (rental gear available for an additional charge). 

Almost all of the climbing in and around Austin is sport climbing, so bring your ropes and a few ‘biner’s and you’re set!

Located on Austin’s Barton Creek Greenbelt, Seismic has climbs for everyone, rated from 5.7 to 5.12. There are even swimming holes nearby provided Austin has had rain recently (bring your Chacos because you might have to do some wading across the creek to get to the wall). Use the 360 access point and park on the west side of the office building for Greenbelt trail access.

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Also located on the Greenbelt, Gus Fruh is a bit more beginner friendly, but has a range of bouldering and sport routes for climbers of all skill levels. Bouldering ranges from V2 to V11 and sport routes from 5.7 to 5.12a (with most being in the 5.9 to 5.11 range). Park on Barton Hills Drive for access to the Gus Fruh wall and swimming hole.

This wall on the Greenbelt is more for the intermediate and advanced set than beginners. With sport routes rated mostly 5.10 and above, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself, including multi-pitch routes. Use the trail access point on Spyglass Drive for the shortest hike to the wall.

Ever tried deep water soloing? It’s a beloved summer activity for climbers in Austin and you can do it at Pace Bend. It’s $5 per person for entry to the park and there are plenty of climbs accessible to climbers without their own boat. Just make sure to check with the park regarding water levels before climbing.

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Located about 30 miles southwest of Austin, but close enough for it to be a local favorite, Reimers Ranch is brimming with climbs ranging from easy 5.5’s to finger-shredding 5.14’s. You’ll even find a bit of trad climbing among the routes. The Pedernales River is adjacent, so you can take a cooling dip post-climb. Park entrance is $5 per person for the day and is cash only. It does tend to get busy on weekends, so be prepared as the park is first come, first served.

Love to boulder? This is your park with scads of boulder problems ranging in difficulty from quick and easy V0’s to difficult and varying V10’s. Need a cool-down to soothe sore forearms? Take a dip in the swimming holes by the falls. A day pass for the park is $6 and it’s recommended that you purchase a pass in advance, especially on weekends when the park gets busy early.

Looking for more ways to get moving? Check out these ways to exercise in Austin during your vacation (that's not at your hotel gym!). 

Come For The Games, Stay For The Thrills

Alisha McDarris is an Austin-based writer who specializes in writing about the outdoors, vegan food, and sustainable travel. She is the co-founder of sustainable travel and adventure blog Terradrift.com and accompanying YouTube channel (youtube.com/terradrift) and her outdoorsy tips and tricks, plus vibrant photos of wild spaces and places, can be found on Instagram (instagram.com/terradrift)Texas - and especially Austin - is known for its scenic nature. Have you really taken the chance to explore it all? We've got a new idea for ya: get climbing! Whether you're new or experienced with the art of hoisting yourself up precarious rocks, our guide will help you find the best climbing experiences around Austin.

As the world’s largest bouldering gym that sits at 50, 000 square feet, the Austin Bouldering Project is perfect for safety climbing and other fitness-related activities. For only $18 ($14 for youth or students), you are allowed to enjoy the gym’s 250 rotating rock climbing configurations, the yoga studios, weight rooms, lounge area, and even an arena section for kids. Relish ABP’s modernistic feel with the family or focus on mastering your climbing skills.

Conveniently located in South and Central Austin, the Crux Climbing Centers are state-of-the-art spaces for rope climbing, bouldering, and strength training. They also offer a variety of yoga and fitness classes with an area to drop off the kiddos. To bring it all together, the multiple art walls fit in with the “Keep Austin Weird” vibe, making it a unique experience for all rock climbers alike. Who wouldn’t love to look at art while climbing an impressive rock wall?

Austin Bouldering Project

Need a place to test your climbing skills while glancing at breathtaking scenery? Mckinney Falls is known for its beautiful sights, from its limestone cliffs to crystal clear natural spring pools. Located just 13 miles from the state capitol, Mckinney Falls has large bouldering walls with thin wall pockets and rugged ledges, perfect for experienced climbers. While it might not be the “go-to” location for beginners, the scenery and experience is unforgettable, even if you're strugglin'.

Time to reach the top of the Dazzling Desperation Boulder to catch the scenic views! From Mad Dogs and Beans Boulder to the Marshmallow Love Affair Boulder, Bull Creek features an array of bouldering experience for both beginners and expert climbers. A beautiful outdoor hangout for people of all ages, the creek is a fun route with easy access to all boulders and biking trails. Routes reach up to 15 feet off the ground, so make sure you bring a soft landing device with you.

Barton Creek is known for its many activities, but the best one has to be rock climbing near the Greenbelt. Located along the Barton Creek water banks, the climbing areas contain smooth limestone whether you want to free-climb or abseil. It is also the perfect location to learn the sport in a short amount of time, as many rock climbing groups host lessons in the area. With many overhanging and vertical walls, who wouldn’t want to visit this Crag heaven?

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Want to visit one of the best limestone cragging locations in the country? Sitting in the Pedernales river a few miles outside of Austin, Reimers Ranch contains an excellent selection of over 300 rock wall variations with a nice range of difficulties. The ranch also continues to extend to the North Shore areas, so more climbing choices will be available to the public. Perfect for climbing during all seasons, every climber in Austin will enjoy being a part of the Reimers Ranch inclusive community.

It may be a small property near Pace Bend park, but it sure has some extreme climbing areas. On the other side of the Pedernales river, Monster Rock is a beautiful overhanging limestone crag with over 50 unique climbing routes. Best known for their limestone chasm between two cliffs called the Pitfiend Pit, this is the perfect place for anyone looking to extremely challenge themselves. When you are done cragging for the day, set up camp in their amazing camping areas near the river.

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