Rhode Island  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  41.718, -71.5265 Map Page Views:  187,977. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrators:  M Sprague, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Joe M. on Jul 30, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

Digging in that heel to get started

Description 

Rhode Island might be the smallest state in the union, but it has plenty to offer climbing wise if you are a fan of its more diminutive form. There is a well developed bouldering community here, with the main focus being Lincoln Woods State Park, just north west of Providence. Being close to the city and its numerous colleges, the boulders and ledges of the 600+ acre park have been climbed on extensively since the early 70s. The quality, number of routes and fact that it is often free of snow when other places are covered means frequent visitors from the neighboring states as well, all who have helped add lines (sometimes to the point of fun but absurd eliminates) and upped the grades. There are hundreds of established lines, currently up to V13-14.

Less well known, smaller, but sometimes high quality areas are scattered around the state, mostly in the western half, in the various management areas. If you want to take a break from the somewhat urban experience of Lincoln Woods and maybe find some new lines, exploring these other areas is recommended. There are gems out there, like the excellent Lost Boulder, a lone boulder of impeccable granite. It is found in the Arcadia Management Area, an area developed in the past, but with new spots popping up.

There is not much for roped climbing. Unfortunately, the best areas for that have been closed, like Diamond Hill and Long Pond. There is a bit of fairly short top roping available at Durfee Hill, Snake Den, Mt. Tom (Arcadia), Beach Pond and Wickaboxet. For nearby roped climbing, you are usually better off heading over the border to Connecticut or Mass.

Getting There 

The smallest state in the U.S., south of Massachusetts and east of Connecticut.

Beta 

Rhode Island is a fairly urban area and as such, the climbing areas tend to reflect that. There isn't much camping and scenic, wild areas are far and few. However, the climbing is challenging and interesting and there is a vibrant local community.

The Classics

Featured Route For Rhode Island

The Executioner V4+  Rhode Island : Lincoln Woods : The Tombstone

Stand start on a right hand crimp and left hand on a scoop. Slap through the overhang the throw from crimps and bad footholds to the lip....[more]   Browse More Classics in Rhode Island