Rock Climbing Ulster County
Ulster County’s Shawangunk Mountain Ridge is a White Quartz mountain range offering world class rock climbing and bouldering opportunities. Rock climbers of all ages, and skill levels can find the perfect rock climbing adventure whether they are looking for a fun adventure day or multiple-day rock climbing excursion.
Rock climbing and bouldering requires the use of technical rock climbing equipment and safety gear including ropes, bolts (in select areas), rock climbing shoes, harnesses, and helmets. Rock climbers may bring their own equipment, or rent or purchase equipment through one of the local climbing schools, guide services, or equipment rental locations located in the nearby towns of New Paltz, Gardiner, or Rosendale.
Rock climbers should dress appropriately for their chosen climbing location by dressing in layers to accommodate the range of temperatures that they will encounter at various elevations. Make sure to bring plenty of snacks and fresh drinking water to help you stay energized and hydrated during your rock climbing excursion. Remember that everything brought into the Shawangunk Mountains must be brought back out again to help keep the natural beauty of the mountains pollution free.
If you are ready to start planning your next rock climbing adventure, check out a few of the top rock climbing locations and excursions we have listed below.
Alpine Endeavors
Guides Available: Yes
Equipment Available: Yes
Alpine Endeavors offers rock climbing instruction and guided excursions in the Shawangunk Mountains and the Adirondacks. Alpine Endeavor guides are authorized to operate in all three top climbing areas of the Shawangunk Mountains including Minnewaska State Park, Mohonk Preserve, and Mohonk Mountain House.
All rock climbing courses and rock climbing excursions include use of all of the necessary technical equipment, and day passes, however, climbers are welcome to use their own equipment as well. Climbers are expected to dress properly for their chosen climb, and pack appropriate snacks and drinking water for the climbing day.
Mohonk Preserve
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
The Mohonk Preserve, located in Gardiner, New York is home to the Shawangunk Mountains. The Shawangunk Mountains are a Quartz mountain range well-known for its popularity with rock climbers. The Mohonk Preserve boasts over 5 linear miles of sheer cliff face with easy access to parking lots and rest areas equipped with sanitary facilities.
Rock climbers may purchase a $115 annual membership online, or purchase a $20 day pass at the Mohonk Preserve visitor center, or select trailheads. Mohonk Preserve members can access the park from 7 AM to sunset, while day-users are able to use the park from 9AM to sunset.
Kingston Quarry
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
Kingston Quarry, located in Kingston, New York, is a limestone quarry which offers traditional rock climbers, and sport rock climbers, an interesting bouldering experience with 10 to 25 problems ranging from 5.12d to 5.14a. The Kingston Quarry features overhangs, steep walls, sheer cliff faces, and slab climbing with side pulls, slopers, and pockets.
Rock climbers must supply their own rock climbing equipment when climbing in the Kingston Quarry.
Mountain Skills Climbing Guides
Guides Available: Yes
Equipment Available: Yes
Mountain Skills Climbing Guides is an AMGA accredited rock climbing service which provides instruction for novice and pro rock climbers alike. The professional rock climbing guides are authorized to provide guided rock climbing excursions in Mohonk Preserve. Mountain Skills Climbing Guides offer rock climbing courses and guided excursions in the Shawangunk Mountains, The Catskills, The Adirondacks, and The Delaware Gap.
Most courses and excursions include the use of the needed rock climbing equipment. Climbers will need to dress appropriately and bring proper cold weather safety gear for winter climbs.
The Trapps
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
The Trapps is Shawangunk Mountains largest, and most popular cliff. At nearly 3 miles long, The Trapps boasts more than 300 different climbing routes with grades ranging from one to three pitches in height.
A gravel carriage road traverses the length of The Trapps providing easy access to trails marked with yellow paint blazes which lead climber’s to their chosen climbing route.
Mohonk Preserve day pass or annual pass is required for park use. Fresh water access is not consistently available so climbers should ensure they bring an ample water supply for their climb. Climbers will need to bring their own climbing equipment for the climb.
The Near Trapps
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
The Near Trapps is the second most popular climbing area in the Shawangunk Mountains. The Trapps ranges in height from 30 feet to 200 feet and boasts over 200 climbing routes.
A Mohonk Preserve day pass or annual pass is required for park use, and climbers must bring their own climbing gear. Fresh water is not consistently available so climbers will need to bring an adequate supply of drinking water for their climb.
Eastern Mountain Sports
Guides Available: Yes
Equipment Available: Yes
Eastern Mountain Sports provides rock climbing, and bouldering instruction, and guided excursions in several locations including the Shawangunk Mountains. Eastern Mountain Sports rock climbing school is AMGA accredited, and all guides are trained in accordance with AMGA standards. Technical rock climbing equipment is available for use at no extra charge to program participants. Eastern Mountain Sports offers year round instruction and guide services which can be customized to meet your needs.
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located within the Shawangunk Mountain range. The preserve features the world-class rock climbing that the 2,000 foot high Quartz mountains are known for. Technical rock climbers can enjoy the Minnewaska State Park’s numerous waterfalls, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views.
While several rock climbing guide services are authorized to operate within the preserve, The Minnewaska State Park itself does not provide guided rock climbing or rock climbing equipment.
HighXposure Adventures
Guides Available: Yes
Equipment Available: Yes
HighXposure Adventures is an AMGA accredited rock climbing instruction and guide service authorized to operate within the world-renowned Shawangunk Mountain Ridge. HighXposure Adventures offers rock climbing instruction clinics for beginners and pros alike, including introduction to outdoor climbing, and clinics which help indoor rock wall climbers transition to outdoor climbing.
HighXposure Adventures provides all needed technical equipment required for registered participants chosen rock climbing experience
The Peterskill Cliffs
Guides Available: No
Equipment Available: No
The Peterskill Cliffs, located in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, are often referred to as the miniature ‘Gunks. The Peterskill Cliffs are a Quartzite rock which offers the same variety of rock climbing routes full of roofs, and horizontal cracks, but features a smaller one pitch height than the taller Shawangunk Mountains.
The Peterskill Cliffs limits entry to a maximum of 100 rock climbers, and 30 boulderers per day, which helps keep crowds to a minimum, but visitors should plan on arriving at the park’s 9 AM opening for the best chance of securing entry. There is a $10 day use fee per climber, or a season pass can be purchased for $90 per person.
Advanced Rockcraft
Guides Available: Yes
Equipment Available: Yes
Advanced Rockcraft offers beginner’s rock climbing instruction, rock climbing workshops, advanced rock climbing training, and custom rock climbing adventures in the Shawangunk Mountains.
Advanced Rockcraft’s expert guides offer introductions to outdoor climbing, personalized outings spanning multiple days, and advanced apprenticeships.
Start Planning Your Rock Climbing Adventure Today!
Simply choose one of these top rock climbing or bouldering locations, or contact one of the local rock climbing schools, guide services, or rock climbing equipment providers, then get out there and start climbing! We will see you in the ‘Gunks!