5 Family-Friendly Climbs around Salt Lake City

Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time to break out the climbing gear and get back on the rock. When climbing with kids, there’s more to consider than simply grabbing your gear and hitting your favorite climbing routes. When I take my kids to the mountains for a climbing session, I consider overall safety, accessibility, and a wide range of route options so the whole family can find a challenge and expand their skill level.

Here are five of our family’s favorite climbing spots on the Wasatch front.

1. American Fork Canyon | Hard Rock climbing area
5-minute walk up the canyon from the Grey Cliffs Parking Area; climbs range from 5.6 – 5.12a
Google Map
Mountain Project Info

2. Big Cottonwood Canyon | Dogwood Crag
Sport routes with a few more difficult trad routes; climbs range from 5.7 – 5.9
Google Map
Mountain Project Info

3. Big Cottonwood Canyon | Challenge Buttress
3 to 5-minute walk from Stairs Gulch and across the canyon from Salt Lake slips; big selection of climbs ranging from 5.5 – 5:11
Google Map
Mountain Project Info

4. Big Cottonwood Canyon | Salt Lake Slips
7-minute walk down the canyon from the Storm Mountain Picnic area; climbs range from 5.6 – 5.10b
Google Map
Mountain Project Info

5. Draper UT | Red Rock
5-minute walk from the Red Rock Trailhead; climbs range from 5.6 – 5:11a
Google Maps
Mountain Project Info

Living in the greater Salt Lake area provides unlimited opportunities for world class climbing adventures. If you’re new to climbing or simply looking to get familiar with Utah’s great climbing, then give these 5 family friendly locations a shot.

If you’ve never been climbing but want to try the sport, check out Momentum Climbing gym in Sandy, UT, or The Quarry in Provo, UT. They can show you the ropes and provide  some basic training and gear recommendations before you head out and explore the rock on your own.  

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Mike Semanoff is a professional skydiver/paraglider, publicist, editor, veteran, husband and father of three.

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