Clipper Mill Boulder Climbing

Update (11/8/2023): It was recently brought to our attention that the Baltimore City Department of Public Works published Watershed Regulations in 2012 that prohibit, among other things, rock climbing ( publicworks.baltimorecity.g…). This contradicts what we've been told by the Baltimore Environmental Police (below). Hopefully, this can be resolved as was the case for mountain biking. In the meantime, please be discrete.

The Baltimore Environmental Police have jurisdiction over Prettyboy Reservoir. They welcome climbers as long as we don't damage anything. The Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages hunting in the Prettyboy Reservoir Watershed and issues permits (bow hunting only). Permits are not required other activities such as fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.

Climbers have reported one occasion (May 8, 2023) when a DNR representative asked them to leave, saying that they needed a permit. This was shared with the Baltimore Environmental Police, and they said this was likely a misunderstanding on the part of the DNR representative and that no permit was needed. Rock climbing is OK.

Do not place bolts anywhere in the Prettyboy Watershed. This constitutes “damage” to the rock and is prohibited by the DNR, as outlined in its management plan for the Prettyboy Reservoir Cooperative Wildlife Managemwnt Area and enforced by the Baltimore Environmental Police.