Creating a Kid Friendly Crag List

I can see that climbers have a love hate relationship with both dogs and kids at the cliff. I should mention, I bring my 3 year old daughter and my 10 year old dog on most of my crag trips.

I agree that several climbing destinations have areas that are kid friendly, and areas that are not. The gunk being good example from this thread. Unfortunately, since my list is limited to areas I have personally visited, I didn't do a very good job identifying specific areas at those location.

I am planning on adding specific blog post about the location listed on the kid crag page with more specific information for each area. Having all the information on a single page would make it impossible to find any information at all. the list is already fairly long, and going to get longer. I'm also trying to decide if I want to add international locations I have visited that I found friendly to kids.

Thanks for all the comments and opinions so far. I am reading them and processing them. I do wonder, some of you have commented on kids not belonging at the crags, what are your specific concerns? Anotherwords, what are your specific concerns about them being there. 

Emmanuel Lacoste wrote:I'm also trying to decide if I want to add international locations . . . friendly to kids.. 

I think if you start adding crags in German-speaking (klettergarten) and French-speaking (ecole d'escalade) Europe, the number will get overwhelming.

And the quality goes to another level with like picnic tables.

Ken

kenr wrote:

I think if you start adding crags in German-speaking (klettergarten) and French-speaking (ecole d'escalade) Europe, the number will get overwhelming.

And the quality goes to another level with like picnic tables.

Ken

My german is bad, but I do agree, Germany had some very friendly crags when I was there. Just about all of Frankenjura meets the requirements. 

French is my first language, so adding those crags would be easy, and like Germany, lots of great kid friendly destination. Couldn't go wrong with a lot of Spain, most of Southern Thailand too. Almost of the crags on Okinawa, and several of Taiwan too. Blue Mountain down under had loads of potential too.

I do think that European families tend to do more together in the outdoors than Americans.

bruno-cx wrote: The screaming and whole yard sale of new parent kid paraphernalia that comes with kids at the crag is what bothers me most. It's completely selfish white privilege shit show to watch parents try to force their kids to be just like them.  Can't wait for those kiddos to get old enough to discover drugs and sex.

...says the white privileged kid living out of his sprinter van.  

Tim Lutz wrote:

i've been around a lot of kids at the crag that simply don't want to be climbing or even outdoors, but are dragged there by a parent that wants to climb.  So they cry, scream, run around and generally make life difficult for those that are trying to focus on a project.  It is different if the kids are actually climbing at an appropriate crag (usually beginner), not along for the ride while mom/dad sends.

Unregulated dogs area at least as big of an issue.  I bring dogs to the crag, but I am very strict regarding their boundaries.

Lol, maybe those parents should let their kids stay at home and play video games. It is all about keeping them comfortable right?

bruno-cx wrote: The screaming and whole yard sale of new parent kid paraphernalia that comes with kids at the crag is what bothers me most. It's completely selfish white privilege shit show to watch parents try to force their kids to be just like them.  Can't wait for those kiddos to get old enough to discover drugs and sex.

This area is pretty much an outdoor gym. Haven't been in a while but if the remaining cacti and bits of broken glass are all gone it's a very kid friendly place (just don't go in summer or you and yours will cook) https://www.mountainproject.com/area/108538640/rocky-face-recreational-area 

Ted Pinson wrote: Jackson Falls, IL - all of the above!

Bro. The rap in?!?!

Bruh, that’s just for the North Canyon.  South is totally chill and you can pretty much camp right there.  Once you’re down in the canyon the terrain is super kid friendly.

Tradiban wrote:

Bro. The rap in?!?!

Like I mentioned on the page, use the walk in. Pretty straight forward. 

Love the idea. A piggy back idea, and I know it would be a bit more effort, but could a submitter attach a score to each aspect you listed for each crag? Ie. 0 having an eiger like approach and 3 being gym like simplicity/ease. I always feel like these suggestion threads don't work because they're too vague to really mean anything. Also, shelter from the wind might be a good criteria too. I wish that and sun/shade were on adult mp crag listings... but then again I'm soft. With a dad bod.

Tim Lutz wrote:

You are assuming that I care about Other Peoples Kids development, whether indoors or out.

And you maybe assuming parents give  a crap about your comfort at the crag.

Rule of thumb for me is it I can get my pack of barking dogs to the crag then it's kid friendly. Freedom comes with a price tag.

Tim Lutz wrote:

Word.  throw in a boom box for sonic support

They are called portable Bluetooth speakers now old man, I bring one for the base and one for the harness. 

Tim Lutz wrote: Emmanuel asked for feedback, so I assume he cares?

I do. I tend to avoid crowds where we'll be a nuance. Actually, even without kids, I prefer to avoid crowded crags in general. 

I've been to a few crags where I use Blu-tooth speakers, but it definitely not the norm for us.

Original Kid crag list here.

Sort of related...  

I'm no prude, but some of the route names at one of our local crags (Castle Rock State Park, CA) are a little less than "family friendly."

Me: "Come on kids, let's go climb 'Cock Rock'!"

Others:

• Cum Slot
• Donkey Dong
• Herpes Simplex
• Cummed On
• Permanent Erection
• Poop Shoot

David Dentry wrote: Sort of related...  

I'm no prude, but some of the route names at one of our local crags (Castle Rock State Park, CA) are a little less than "family friendly."

Me: "Come on kids, let's go climb 'Cock Rock'!"

Others:

• Cum Slot
• Donkey Dong
• Herpes Simplex
• Cummed On
• Permanent Erection
• Poop Shoot

What kind of father are you if you can't explain to a 7 year old what a "Cum Slot" is?!!!

David Dentry wrote: Sort of related...  

I'm no prude, but some of the route names at one of our local crags (Castle Rock State Park, CA) are a little less than "family friendly."

Me: "Come on kids, let's go climb 'Cock Rock'!"

Others:

• Cum Slot
• Donkey Dong
• Herpes Simplex
• Cummed On
• Permanent Erection
• Poop Shoot

I've learned so much from all these answers, but I am also very confused about which age is actually right for kids to join us on the rocks. Jaren's got a good point!

I would disagree with the Gunks...Well what you might be considering the Gunks. Most people refer to the West Trapps as the Gunks, and though it is super easy approach, level base. etc. It is primarily a lead area with multi-pitch climbs. Taking a kid there and setting up a toprope gets in the way of climbs and could be considered bad ethics by many. Yes, anyone has a right to setupNow just head a bit further on 44/55 and go to Peterskill, where it is almost (maybe all) single pitch, perfect place to top rope and a child will have fun without getting in the way of others. As a bonus, if not a member of the Mohonk preserve, also cheaper.
I have a few friends with children and this is where I would take them. Also if I am going with a pack of new climbers, we go there and set up a few topropes and have some fun, versus tying up climbs in the Trapps.