Creating a Kid Friendly Crag List

As I meet other parents, I'm often asked is an area is kid friendly. These are usually parent with young kids, even toddlers. I'm lucky to have visited a lot of crags over the years, so I've decided to start putting a page together of kid friendly crags on my blog. Have look, leave a comment about places you think are kid friendly too. Any and all recommendations and advice welcomed.

​Teach512 list of family friendly crags. ​​​

Cheers,
Emmanuel
P.S. I am not a writer, so don't go looking for literary truth and excellent reads.

Jackson Falls, IL - all of the above!

Depending on which formations you choose, Castle Rocks and City of Rocks in Idaho can be pretty kid friendly. I'm not sure about toddlers, but kids over the age of 5 should be fine if well supervised. There are even some good opportunities for kids to climb - Warrior Rock at Castle has 2 particularly mellow easy-to-set up routes that are kid-friendly. There are alternative activities if your kids aren't into climbing. My daughter, age 11, also loves to hike and explore at both places.

Edited to respond to critique down thread.

Castle isn't as packed as City so it is easier to manage with kids. Areas in Castle Rocks that are kid friendly - Egg Wall and Heffalump have nice staging areas and are within kid walking distance. No big hills, etc. The climbs are moderates - ranging from 5's to 9's. These are single pitch climbs.Warrior Rock is over by Egg Wall.

Sandrock, Alabama is definitely a top contender for this list!

I'd say the Pit is not that kid friendly. Jack's Canyon and Hobo are probably the best for kids near Flag. Peaks is also a great option if the child can walk a little further or small enough to carry

Carderock, Maryland. Approach is literally a few minutes. Easy access to the top to set anchors, short trail to the base, several 5.0-5.4 routes.

south seas behind mt Rushmore.  Short, flat, easy approach. Easy routes and set ups. Hundreds of routes.

If you’re looking for bouldering areas, Josh, Yosemite, Squamish and Flagstaff are all excellent. 

OP, in what aspects did you find Clear Creak Canyon more kid friendly than Boulder Canyon? Personally, it never crossed my mind to take my kid there as I found it to be quite inconvenient for kids (toddler in my case).

Yeah, I definitely wouldn’t bring kids to High Wire Wall.

I wouldn't take a kid anywhere in CCC. Richard Wright once told me a horrific story of watching a toddler fall in and drown while dad was helpless to do anything.
And by listing Rifle, I assume you aren't thinking about getting the kids on the rock either.
My guess is that you are new to the parenting thing

I agree about CCC in general not being best kid area. Maybe specific crags. But often the most dangerous part is the highway 

The gym? Seriously don't take your toddler to crags. To many things that can go wrong. Get a babysitter don't take a toddler some place where falling rocks gear or people might smash them. Just to name a few. Also consider there's no fun to be had at the crag for kid that age. They will be over it long before you are ready and then everyone gets to hear your kid cry cause they need a nap. 

Ben Pellerin wrote: The gym? Seriously don't take your toddler to crags. To many things that can go wrong. Get a babysitter don't take a toddler some place where falling rocks gear or people might smash them. Just to name a few. Also consider there's no fun to be had at the crag for kid that age. They will be over it long before you are ready and then everyone gets to hear your kid cry cause they need a nap. 

I'm guessing you don't have any children. My son is almost 5, and we have been successful and safe taking him climbing since he was 8 wks old. He has a great time. 

Ben Pellerin wrote: The gym? Seriously don't take your toddler to crags. To many things that can go wrong. Get a babysitter don't take a toddler some place where falling rocks gear or people might smash them. Just to name a few. Also consider there's no fun to be had at the crag for kid that age. They will be over it long before you are ready and then everyone gets to hear your kid cry cause they need a nap. 

In my opinion qym is more dangerous to toddlers than any crag I took my little one to. And when she cried , I made sure we were the only ones there so we wouldn’t inconvenience anyone else with the horrible noise show would make. Also, we saved you from unsightly diaper changes and soothing ocean sounds to put her to sleep, so you’re welcome.

Chalk in the Wind wrote: Carderock, Maryland. Approach is literally a few minutes. Easy access to the top to set anchors, short trail to the base, several 5.0-5.4 routes.

Just bring some humble pie for your kids, those CR 5.4s can shut down 10a gym climbers pretty quick!

Second for the gym. At lesst people dont rip bong loads there

Jaren Watson wrote: Kids have as much right to be at a crag as adults.

How do we teach them to love the outdoors if we can’t take them outside for fear of cramping some bro’s style?

You make a good point. I take back what I said.

Charles Vernon posted about mt lemmon:

 Ended up doing the tried and true Munchkinland/Troll Wall combo yesterday. Absolutely perfect in the shade.

Baby-friendly crags I've found on the mountain so far:

Prison Camp
Milagrosa Main Wall, left side
Ruins, left side (a bit of a surprise, but you can set up on a rise away from the cliff band)
Canines and Lobos Wall (kind of a sleeper pick)
Munchkinland
Troll Wall (set up across the stream)
Primus Wall
Avalon
Raycreation
Ireland (not the greatest, but there is a good protected spot to set up away from the cliffs if you hunt for it)
Neptune N. Face (j/k)

Ben Pellerin wrote: The gym? Seriously don't take your toddler to crags. To many things that can go wrong. Get a babysitter don't take a toddler some place where falling rocks gear or people might smash them. Just to name a few. Also consider there's no fun to be had at the crag for kid that age. They will be over it long before you are ready and then everyone gets to hear your kid cry cause they need a nap. 

One of the worst posts ever here.

In my experience bouldering is easier than rope climbing with kids. Pawtuckaway in NH and Lincoln Woods in RI are great places near Boston as is Lynn woods in MA. I've been bringing my kids since they were 2. The Barber wall at Cathedral ledge in NH is a terrible place for kids in my opinion,  it's a ledge with death fall potential