Climbing Near Douglas, Alabama

If you're looking for a pleasant spot to bring friends new to climbing, Alabama's Palisades Park is a great choice. Located not far from Birmingham, Palisades is a Blount County Park with a nice little cliff line running just below its parking lot. There's a good range of climbing difficulty, ranging from easy 5.4 up to roofy 5.12. Almost all routes can be easily top-roped without leading, and most have permanent anchors, so it's a perfect place for a beginner's first outdoor climbing experience. And if you're just getting started on trad, Palisades is an excellent training ground; routes like Buckets (5.5) offer easy leading and plentiful protection. Be aware, though, that the grades tend to be sandbagged; Elephant Crack (5.6) and Box Lunch (5.7) are not for the novice leader. There's no sport climbing at Palisades; no bolting is allowed. All climbers must register at the park office and buy a $5 climbing permit (good for three days) or a $35 annual permit. From the parking lot, head for the cliff top near a picnic pavilion and scramble down a fourth-class gully/chimney to the base of the cliff. If you need a map of the routes, the park office will supply you with one. Otherwise, the Dixie Cragger's Atlas is a good resource for routes at Palisades. From Birmingham, take SR 75 north to Oneonta. Take a left on US 231 (north); about a mile or two outside of Oneonta, watch for signs pointing to Palisades Park and follow county roads to the park entrance. From Atlanta, take I-20 west to the US 231 exit. Follow 231 north through Oneonta, then follow directions above to the park.

Multiple rock formations in the area. The best quality being the Guntersville Roof boulder Take 227 to Lake Guntersville State Park.

Large roof along the Bevil Trail. Strange how this is the only formation in the surrounding area. Take 227 to Lake Guntersville State Park. Easiest approach is to park at the Cutchemine Trail pull off. Walk southwest a few yards then walk up the hill to find this beautiful roof just above the Bevil Alternate trail.