Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Climbing

This 4,315-acre park makes Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Westchester County's largest park. With its varied terrain and landscapes and miles of wooded trails, the park provides a variety of activities in all seasons. There are areas for picnicking, lean-to camping, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing.

Originally part of Cortlandt Manor, the reservation was settled by farmers from Connecticut. The name Pound Ridge is credited to the indigenous peoples who originally lived in the area, the Wappinger. They built an enclosure of saplings driven into the ground and drove their game into the pound. This kept game on the hoof until they needed it for food. The name was originally spelled Poundridge until 1938, when the county bought the property and added the 'Ward' to honor William Lukens Ward, Westchester's Republican county leader from 1896 to 1933.

The park features several different zones of bouldering, (Kimberly Bridge, Spy Rock, Raven Rocks, Joe's Hill, and Leatherman's Cave). As well as some single pitch trad and TR. The area was developed by the likes of Josh and Bret Lowell, Aaron Back, John Kootz, and others.

While climbing is possibly prohibited at the park, you are expected to keep a low profile. Keep your gear out of view in parking lots. Parking on the roads outside of the park is a gamble. Keep all tires off the roads if you don't want a ticket. When you can pay the fee, or better yet buy a Westchester County Parks Pass at the booth, and park inside. 

The climbing ethic here is clear. Be respectful of the area and others using the park. Understand your impact to the environment and leave no trace. There are many more climbing areas, boulders, and routes than what appears on MP, you can take the time to find them yourself, or find a local in the know.