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Elevation: 3,699 ft
GPS: 36.13128, -115.42451
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 12,913,163 total · 45,695/month
Shared By: Anonymous on Dec 31, 2000 · Updates
Admins: Luke EF, Larry DeAngelo, Justin Johnsen, Aaron Mc
Warning Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Red Rock: a few thousand routes, generally warm weather, every kind climbing from short sport routes to big 20-pitch outings, nearby Las Vegas for off-rock activities. Who could ask for more?

Rain and Wet Rock Suggest change

The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

If you're wondering when it last rained, wetrockpolice.com/redrock displays information collected by a rain gauge located at the Red Rock visitor center. Please note that the site only aims to help climbers make informed decisions; wetrockpolice.com should not be treated as the source of truth for whether climbing can or cannot be safely done!

Human Waste

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Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council identified this problem years ago and has worked to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor). These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out - consider bringing one to be part of your kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas). This project was funded primarily by the American Alpine Club.

Late Exit Passes

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IMPORTANT: NEW LATE EXIT SYSTEM STARTING JAN 2020.

It is easy to be late returning to your car, and the tickets are expensive. All climbers should take advantage of this excellent resource. Any number of unexpected things can cause you to run late on a climb. Don't let your trip get ruined with an expensive, but avoidable, parking ticket.

Note that the scenic loop drive access is limited by the BLM and requires a fee upon entry. Schedule and fee information is detailed on the BLM website.

Commercial, Large Groups (>15), and Guest Permit Lottery

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There are limits to the number of commercial use, competitive or organized group permits available as established with the Resource Management Plan and other Environmental Analysis documents. Rock Climbing Guest Permits are for one calendar year and are offered through a lottery. Applications accepted beginning June 1 and must be received by September 1 for the following year. For more information, visit the Special Recreation Permits section of the Red Rock website.

Camping

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Visitors may reserve single campground sites at Red Rock Canyon Campground online or by phone for visits starting in 2019.
As of January 2019, Red Rock Canyon Campsite reservations are made at recreation.gov, or by calling the national reservation hotline 1-877-444-677. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance but not less than 48 hours of the desired arrival date. Camping rates have not changed and are $25 per night for the standard and RV sites, $12 for the walk-to sites, and $80 for the group sites.

As of January 2019, 66 of the 80 single campsites and seven large group campsites are be available on the system for reservation. The remaining 14 single campsites are offered on a first-come first-served basis.

Recreation.gov is managed by National Recreation Reservation Service. The NRRS is a partnership between Federal Land Management Agencies to provide quality reservation services for facilities and activities on public lands. Additional information about recreation opportunities at BLM’s Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area can be found here.

2,619 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Red Rocks Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Red Rocks

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 929
Solar Slab
Trad 9 pitches
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1,164
Olive Oil
Trad 5 pitches
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 1,624
Birdland
Trad 6 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1,524
Dark Shadows
Trad 4 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1,353
Frogland
Trad 6 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 1,031
Crimson Chrysalis
Trad 9 pitches
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 805
Armatron
Trad 6 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 1,474
Epinephrine
Trad 13 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 764
Dream of Wild Turkeys
Trad 10 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 796
Unimpeachable Groping
Sport 7 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 858
Triassic Sands
Trad 6 pitches
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
 523
The Fox
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 763
Levitation 29
Trad 9 pitches
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 690
Yaak Crack
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 426
Cloud Tower
Trad 6 pitches
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Solar Slab (12) Oak Creek… > Solar Slab - Upper Tier
 929
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Trad 9 pitches
Olive Oil (11) Juniper Ca… > Rose Tower
 1,164
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 5 pitches
Birdland (10) Pine Creek… > Brass Wall
 1,624
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad 6 pitches
Dark Shadows (10) Pine Creek… > Mescalito > Dark Shadows Wall
 1,524
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Frogland (16) Black Velv… > Whiskey Peak > N Face
 1,353
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Crimson Chrysalis (11) Juniper Ca… > Cloud Tower
 1,031
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 9 pitches
Armatron (11) Juniper Ca… > Brownstone Wall
 805
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Trad 6 pitches
Epinephrine (16) Black Velv… > Black Velvet Wall
 1,474
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Trad 13 pitches
Dream of Wild Turkeys (16) Black Velv… > Black Velvet Wall
 764
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad 10 pitches
Unimpeachable Groping (11) Juniper Ca… > Ginger Buttress
 796
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport 7 pitches
Triassic Sands (16) Black Velv… > Whiskey Peak > N Face
 858
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 6 pitches
The Fox (01) Calico Basin > Fox Area
 523
5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b Trad
Levitation 29 (12) Oak Creek… > Eagle Wall
 763
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad 9 pitches
Yaak Crack (04) Second Pul… > Gallery
 690
5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a Sport
Cloud Tower (11) Juniper Ca… > Cloud Tower
 426
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad 6 pitches
More Classic Climbs in Red Rocks »

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