Red Rock Canyon
Climbing Sections:
- Coyote Wall (6)
- Other East Canyon Cliffs (5)
- Quarry Wall (5)
- Ripple Wall (12)
- Sayers Wall (5)
- Solar Slab (9)
- The Cheif (2)
- The Wailing Wall (14)
- The Whale (27)
- West Canyon Wall (0)
- Westbay Wall (3)
- Whale's Tail (4)
- Wiggins Wall (5)
About Red Rock Canyon:
| Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a 787-acre parkland owned by the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. The park opened at the end of October, 2004. The park, composed of three distinct drainages, nestles against the Front Range south of the Garden of the Gods and US 24. Rock climbing is allowed on the East and West Canyon Walls in Red Rock Canyon itself, but nowhere else in the park. Over 90 bolted routes up to 130 feet high ascend the ruddy sandstone walls, offering a marvelous new arena for Pikes Peak region climbers. The climbing is similar to that in the neighboring Garden of the Gods, but offers better stone, excellent protection and rappel anchors, and lots of moderate routes. The park also offers lots of serenity and isolation in a beautiful natural setting. Due to the crackless nature of the sandstone, all RRC routes are bolted sport climbs with only a handful of routes that also require an occasional cam or nut. All routes are equipped with lowering and rappel anchors. There are 13 distinct cliffs that offer climbing. The rest of the park is off-limits for technical climbing. There are two porta-johns at by the parking lot, but no facilities in the park itself. Be prepared to hike down about 10 minutes to the parking lot if the call of nature becomes too powerful to resist. Climbing at Red Rock Canyon Open Space is a managed process. At the city's request, a group of local climbers came up with a management plan to create a safe and environmentally-conscious rock climbing area, thereby avoiding all the problems that occur at the Garden of the Gods. Also at the city's request all the routes were established before the park was open. Over 30 local climbers participated in the creation of this new climbing park. A new climber liason group, the Red Rock Canyon Climber's Alliance, is the official intermediary between rock climbers and the city of Colorado Springs. |
| Nearest town or city: | Colorado Springs |
| Directions: | Red Red Canyon Open Space is south of the Garden of the Gods and US 24. Find the trailhead by turning south from US 24 at the only turnoff between 30th Street and the first Manitou Springs exit. There is a typical green highway sign telling you where to turn, about a 1/4 miles before the turn. Park in the obvious designated lot that is on your left as you come off of the highway. Follow an old road east and then south to Red Rock Canyon. It is a half-mile to the lake at the beginning of the climbing area. The road continues up the east side of the canyon, offering access to Westbay Wall, Sayers Wall, Ripple Wall, Squaw Wall, The Chief, The Wailing Wall, Wiggins Wall, and Coyote Wall. The west side trail accesses The Whale's Tail, The Whale, Solar Slab, and The Quarry Wall. Consult the book for specifics. |
| Latitude, Longitude: | 38.84600, -104.88200 |
| Access Issues: | |
| Camping: | None |
| When to Climb: | |
| Quantity of Climbs: | Year |
| Books: | "Red Rock Canyon Open Space: A Rock Climber's Guide" by Stewart Green was published in early November by the Red Rock Canyon Climber's Alliance. It is available at a nominal price at stores in the Pikes Peak region, including the Mountain Chalet, The Colorado Springs Sport Climbing Center, and the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE GUIDEBOOK GO TO SUPPORT CLIMBING AT RED ROCK CANYON AND THE GARDEN OF THE GODS. The guidebook will not be available on the web because of this. Support local climbing areas by purchasing the local guidebook. |
| Click the Update links above to provide data for any blank field of this Area. To modify existing fields, send an Editor Note. | |
Forum Discussions (6)
| Subject | Author | Replies | Last Post | |
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Red Rocks partner wanted | acarlson | 0 | Jun 01, 5:31 PM |
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why so many disagreements on route ratings? | mayo | 4 | Mar 18, 9:21 AM |
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Outdoor Climbing Competition at Red Rock Canyon OS | burtonac | 0 | Sep 11, 3:15 PM |
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Cant update routes at Red Rock Canyon | zozo | 10 | Aug 23, 7:42 AM |
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information on Red rocks canyon | climber15 | 2 | Jan 05, 9:46 AM |
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red rock canyon Guide now available!! | anykineclimb | 0 | Nov 05, 9:33 PM |
