Climbing
Most of the excellent rock climbing in South Dakota is located in the Black Hills region. There are many routes of all difficulties at Devils Tower, Custer State Park and the Mount Rushmore area. Scaling the mountains, peaks and rocky cliffs is both challenging and rewarding. more info
Climbing Listings: (add your listing)
Sylvan Rocks: Climbing Lessons & Guide Service
Climbing adventures for all abilities. No experience needed. All rock climbing gear provided. Climb Devils Tower, Mount Rushmore, The Needles. A safe, exhilarating activity.
(605) 484-7585
Backcountry.com
The source for outdoor gear for skiing, camping, backpacking. Free shipping!
Custer State Park Needles:
Perhaps the most infamous due to its reputation for bold climbing styles, actually has a growing number of climbing routes that are safe and well protected. Still it's a great place to test your limits and climb in one of the most beautiful places on earth. From 'the Outlets' near Sylvan Lake to the Cathedral Spires and all along Needles Highway, there is a lifetime of Granite Spires to be explored. Probably the best place for beginning climbers to go out with a friend or guide to learn the ropes and get a taste of what climbing is all about.
Mount Rushmore Area:
If you want to get to know the Black Hills Rock and enjoy more of a sport climbing area, Rushmore is the place for you. You'll find more modern hardware and still enjoy exciting leads up to beautiful summits. Just up the road from the faces, the climbing is plain awesome.
Spearfish Canyon:
The Canyon has recently been featured in national climbing magazines as a great and upcoming sport crag. It has many months worth of climbing on beautiful pocket pulling, overhanging limestone. Areas like 'Sunshine Wall' are great places to be on a cool fall, winter or spring day, and there are nice shady spots to go and enjoy the warm days of summer.
Devils Tower:
If you are a crack climber or aspire to be one, The Tower is the place for you. Bring all your stoppers and cams, and prepare to get worked on the seemingly endless cracks. Depending on the time of year, follow the shade or the sun around this incredible rock feature in northwest Wyoming. Although its still considered part of the Black Hills, the Tower is in a world all of its own.
So with all this rock climbing within a 2 hour drive, the Black Hills has something to offer climbers of every ability and style...PLUS, with the exception of the Durrance on Devils Tower, you'll rarely have to wait on another climbing party.
There are several climbing schools and guide services in the area to help you find your way to the best most classic routes. Climbing is a great way to spend a day of your Black Hills Vacation seeing the world from a whole new angle with friends and family. The gear stores in Hill City, Rapid City and Spearfish can supply you with all the needed gear and guidebooks if you are ready to head out on your own.
Currently OutsideOther pages you might find helpful:
RockClimb.Org
Find the most basic info on climbing and climbing gear.
Summit Post
A wonderful source of information on personal accounts of climbs and assents.
