While most people head to Vegas for the casinos, restaurants, shows and entertainment, if you feel an itch to do something a bit more active, perhaps climbing could be an option to consider.
Vegas is surrounded by stunning rock formations that are just waiting to be explored, but for beginners – or more advanced climbers hoping to work on their skills away from the heat and the dust of the desert – several indoor climbing gyms exist. So here’s are all the info you need.
Best Rock Climbing Gyms in Las Vegas
The Refuge Climbing and Fitness
- Location: Las Vegas, less than a mile southwest of The Strip, west of the airport
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 10am-10pm, Sat & Sun – 9am-9pm
- Address: 6283 S. Valley View Blvd, Suite C, Las Vegas, NV 89118
- Telephone: 702-383-0175
- Email: [email protected]
The Refuge prides itself on being Las Vegas’ premier center for bouldering and also boasts 11,000 square feet of climbing walls.
It’s a great place to visit for beginners and experienced climbers alike. For those who are new to the sport, there’s a “Bouldering Basics” class while more advanced climbers can take the “Movement and Beta” option.
The center also has options for groups, birthdays and more, making it a great choice for one-time visitors, members and those hoping to plan an original and memorable group activity.
Climbing facilities, classes and equipment
The center offers a full range of training equipment, including a Moonboard and Tensionboard as well as a full weight rack, cardio machines, kettlebells and a Campusboard. You’ll also find three auto-belays and a Treadwall for working on endurance.
There are plenty of walls to keep climbers of all abilities occupied, and the center also offers classes for beginners as well as for more experienced climbers hoping to enhance their skills.
Prices
- Visitor Day Passes
Adult (12 years and older) – $17
Child (11 years and younger) – $12
Monthly and yearly membership rates are also available
- Rental Equipment
Shoes – $3
Chalk bag – $2
Harness – $3
Red Rock Climbing Center
- Location: Las Vegas, around 4 miles west of Downtown
- Opening hours: Mon & Fri – 9am-11pm, Tue, Wed & Thu – 6am-11pm, Sat & Sun – 9am-9pm
- Address: 8201 W. Charleston Blvd. Suite 150, Las Vegas, NV 89117
- Telephone: Gym Phone – 702-254-5604, Guide Phone – 702-506-6640
- Email: Gym email – [email protected], Guide email – [email protected]
Red Rock Climbing Center is an ideal place to head if you want to try your hand at climbing, but they also do everything they can to keep experienced climbers challenged.
You’ll find simple routes and bouldering problems designed for novices along with overhangs and roof routes that will tax even the most confirmed climbers.
Furthermore, the staff rotate routes each week, so that each time you come back, you’ll always find something new to challenge you.
Climbing facilities and equipment
With both top-rope and lead climbing available, the center boasts 8,000 square feet of walls reaching up to 35ft that were designed by renowned climbers Tony Yaniro and Doug Englekirk.
Add to this a further 1,000 square feet of overhangs and route routes, which, when combined with vertical climbs give you routes of up to 100ft in length, just the kind of thing you need for building stamina.
The center also provides all the equipment you need for your day’s climbing at very reasonable rental prices, making this another great place to head for a day or two of indoor climbing in Las Vegas.
Classes and other climbing services
As well as teaching a range of classes that are designed to ensure that every participant leaves a more “knowledgeable, efficient and environmentally aware” climber than when they came, Red Rock also provides guiding services to outdoor climbing areas.
Several tiers are available with a range of pricing options, and they are also able to take bookings for group packages. See the “climbing guides” section of their site for further details.
Prices
- Visitor Day Passes:
Day Pass – $17
Kids Day Pass – $11
10 Visit Punch Card – $140
Monthly, three-monthly and yearly membership rates are also available
- Rental Equipment
Harness – $5.00
Shoes (indoor) – $5.00
Harness & Shoes – $8.00
Chalk Bag – $5.00
Harness, Shoes & Chalk bag – $10.00
Shoes (outdoor) – $10.00
The Pad
- Location: Henderson, around 10 miles southeast of Downtown Las Vegas
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun – 11am-9pm, Members-only access to roped climbing areas – 8am-11am
- Address: The Pad Henderson, 7585 Commercial Way, Suite J, Henderson, NV 80911
- Telephone: 844-254-6287
- Email: [email protected]
The Pad was originally founded in 2015 as Origin Climbing + Fitness and was then acquired by new owners in 2019 when it took its current name.
The Pad operates three climbing centers, with the other two located in California. Nevada’s Henderson center offers a full range of climbing activities and a strong sense of community, making it a popular and convivial destination for all fans of indoor climbing.
Climbing facilities, equipment and classes
The Pad boasts a hugely impressive array of what they describe as “22,000 square feet of pure joy”. This includes rope climbing options with an average height of 35ft as well as 10,000 square feet for bouldering with an average height of 17ft.
Along with the climbing areas themselves, you’ll also find equipment like hangboards, a systems board, Treadwall, LED Kilter board and more to help you hone your climbing skills.
Of course, the center provides all the rental equipment you need, so it’s no problem if you didn’t bring yours to Vegas – or if you’re a beginner who doesn’t own any yet. Classes for beginners to advanced are also available.
Other facilities and equipment
As well as climbing facilities, The Pad also offers free weight stations and treadmills to help you work on your general fitness along with a yoga room. There’s also a coworking space with free wifi and coffee – you just need to remember to bring your own cup!
Prices
- Visitor Day Passes
Regular – $23
Youth (4-17) & Early Bird (Before 4pm) – $15
10 Punch Pass – $200
Various monthly and yearly membership plans are available
- Rental Equipment
Shoes & Chalk Bag – FREE
Harness + belay device – FREE for anyone rope certified
Shoes for outside – $10/day
Bouldering pad – $15/day (free for members for up to 5 days)
Nevada Climbing Center
- Location: Patrick Airport Business Center, just east of the airport
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 8am-2pm, 4pm-11pm, Sat & Sun – 8am-11pm
- Address: 3065 E Patrick Ln #4, Las Vegas, NV 89120
- Telephone: 702-898-8192
- Email: [email protected]
Billing itself as the oldest and most affordable climbing center in the Las Vegas Valley, the Nevada Climbing Center combines many years of know-how with a climbing experience that has something to offer for new climbers and old hands alike.
They pride themselves on creating a comfortable and supportive atmosphere that will help visitors relax and concentrate on developing their climbing skills in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Climbing facilities, classes and equipment
The center provides a range of classes suitable for all levels that teach you the basics of climbing or focus on certain specific skills. They also run College Night, Ladies’ Night and Teachers’ Night, offering reductions for those eligible to take part.
There are climbing walls for all levels with routes of varying difficulty clearly marked so you should have no problem finding something suitable for your level. The center also provides all the rental equipment you’ll need.
Other services
As well as the expected range of climbing courses, the center also provides yoga classes, allowing you to look after your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing when you’re not concentrating on your climbing.
Prices
- Visitor Day Passes: Day pass – $15
Membership rates are also available for individuals and couples
- Rental Equipment: Climbing Shoes – $5, Climbing Harness – $5, Shoes & Harness Package – $8
Whitney Recreation Center
- Location: Whitney Park, around 6 miles southeast of Downtown Las Vegas and 5 miles east of Paradise.
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 7am-6pm, Sat – 8am-12pm, Sunday – Closed
- Address: 5712 E. Missouri Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89122
- Telephone: 702-455-7576
If you don’t want to go to a climbing center and are just looking for a wall to climb, you can head to the Whitney Recreation Center a few miles southeast of Las Vegas instead.
Access to the wall is available at low rates – but you’ll have to bring your own gear.
Climbing facilities
The center has a 30ft climbing wall with four different routes available. You can’t hire equipment or take classes though, so it’s for those who already know how to climb only.
Other facilities
The Whitney Recreation Center offers a range of other facilities, including basketball, tennis, a walking path, a seasonal pool, a children’s playground and picnic shelters. You’ll also find a gym, a fitness room, youth and teen programming, a computer lab, a game room and more.
Prices
$5 for a half-hour session
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A Fun Idea For Time Away From the Vegas Craziness
Sometimes, all the craziness of the casinos, buffets, resorts and clubs can get a bit too much, and you feel like you need somewhere to go for a bit of respite.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options in Las Vegas, and for experienced climbers – or those who feel like trying it for the first time – a trip to one of the town’s excellent climbing gyms could be just what you need.