Where to take the kids climbing

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for places to take young kids (3 & 6) climbing. We've climbed a few places in Boulder Canyon, but ideally would like to find someplace with a safer base area (fewer cliffs to fall off when not climbing), away from roads & swift rivers, and with some easier single pitch routes for them to play around on. We live near Boulder, but are willing to travel further for a nice weekend camping/climbing trip. Thanks!

Unfortunately such a location is primarily found in the local gyms. The topography of the Front Range is not conducive to taking young children climbing.

I've had some fun times with the five year old on supremacy rock in eldo.

Elevenmile Canyon has some family friendly camping and climbing. Easy trails, short approaches and flat spacious areas at the belay.

Canal Zone at Clear Creek. Unfortunately, it's also one of the busiest areas in CCC.

Penitene and Rifle are your two best options.

There is a guide book called fun climbs Colorado by Sibylle Hechtel has lots of kid friendly places in it.

Try Staunton state park, the hike is easy. no rivers no roads. We usually take our daughter there. Shes's now 16 months and we haven't had an issue.

I'd recommend Valley of the Chickens. It's just a little over an hour from Boulder, you can camp right near the cliff, and it's great for k. I took my kids there many times over the years, and it's my preferred location when friends visit and want to try climbing for the first time.

During the summer Lily Mountain mountainproject.com/v/lily-… is good - mellow approach hike, plenty of safe area around the climbs, and the routes are short.

Castlewood Canyon, Devils Head, Shelf road and North Table mountain are all great places. I've taken my daughter all these places and just about every other place I've gone.

It's a far drive but Penitente Canyon in the San Luis Valley is awesome for kids.

https://www.mountainproject.com/v/mr-breeze/105753415

My boy's first lead at age 4!

Mike Carrington wrote:Castlewood Canyon, Devils Head, Shelf road and North Table mountain are all great places. I've taken my daughter all these places and just about every other place I've gone.

Watch out for rattlesnakes at Castlewood!

That being said, we took our preschoolers there a couple of times in the early spring.

Thank you for all the suggestions!

Kevin Stricker wrote:Penitene and Rifle are your two best options.

??? If your 3 and 6 year olds can pull down on 5.11! Rifle has nothing your kids could climb, penitente has a few very easy climbs that are slabs.

Red Rock Canyon

East Colfax in Clear Creek Canyon is a great place I have taken my kids plenty of times. Other than having a river nearby, it meets the rest of your criteria. If the river is a deal breaker, probably not the best spot but other than that, it's perfect for what you're looking for.

mountainproject.com/v/east-…

jleining wrote: ??? If your 3 and 6 year olds can pull down on 5.11! Rifle has nothing your kids could climb, penitente has a few very easy climbs that are slabs.

There are 5.6-5.9 climbs in Rifle. My 9 year old has been climbing there sense he was 4. Most kids really don't give a crap about sending they just want to have fun. Rifle has always been one of their favorite places to go, and most of the crags are super kid friendly.

Kevin Stricker wrote: There are 5.6-5.9 climbs in Rifle. My 9 year old has been climbing there sense he was 4. Most kids really don't give a crap about sending they just want to have fun. Rifle has always been one of their favorite places to go, and most of the crags are super kid friendly.

Interesting, I have not been to Rifle for rock for about 8 years. these must be new routes. When I was last there the easiest climb was Spuds in Space at 5.8. and I believe there were two 5.9s and a handful of 5.10's.