If you've ever experienced the atmosphere of a climbing gym, you know that it's unique, unlike any other gym you've walked into. The quiet, calculated movements on the climbing wall underplay the intense full body workout that the climber is experiencing.
The camaraderie and community between climbers is friendly, fun and authentic -there's something about climbing that attracts good people! Students at these American universities are lucky enough to have incredible climbing centers accessible on campus.
Interested in giving climbing a try? College is the perfect time to try new things and step outside of your comfort zone, or in this case, climb out of it. The universities in this article host climbing classes and certification sign-offs for all skill levels. Many are totally free and have free rental gear available for students, too.
Find a beginner class or a women's meet up to start off, or build on the climbing skills you already have with a challenging sport climb series or competition. Climb on!
Women who already love climbing or students interested in learning how will love these American universities with climbing gyms, workshops, clubs, and community.
University of Colorado, Boulder
Colorado is an outdoor lover's paradise, and the University of Colorado, Boulder believes that the climbing season shouldn't stop when there's snow on the ground. The University of Colorado, Boulder has a spacious climbing gym for students that's open seven days a week.
The climbing gym is designed for all skill levels and the university's recreation program offers climbing courses for students. It's only right that Boulder has bouldering at their climbing gym, along with climbing route terrain for top rope and lead climbing. The rental shop is open for students to rent climbing gear if they don't have their own.
University of Arizona in Tucson
Students can drop by for a free climb at the University of Arizona SouthREC Boulder Wall. Women are welcome to join a weekly climbing workshop with Women in Send that includes education, climbing lessons and strength training.
The University of Arizona offers climbing classes for beginners and students who want to learn how to sport climb. Find other fun events and sessions at the uniquely-designed bouldering wall that's made for climbers of all skill levels.
University of California, Santa Barbara
The outdoor recreation program at the University of California Santa Barbara is pretty impressive, and so is the indoor climbing center. It makes sense, as the university isn't far from Yosemite, one of the most incredible places on earth for rock climbers.
The climbing gym at UCSB has a 30-foot main wall with top-rope climbing. The routes are designed with crack features for students to test their rock climbing skills. The recreation department creates a welcoming environment at the climbing center, encouraging students to enjoy the facility for exercising, socializing and improving skills.
University of Miami, Florida
The Herbert Wellness Center available to students at the University of Miami, Florida includes a climbing wall managed by the Outdoor Adventure program. The climbing wall on campus is 14 feet tall and 60 feet long. The route-setting team regularly changes up the routes to keep the climbing wall challenging and fresh for all climbing skill levels.
The staff provides students with a basic orientation on climbing skills before they get started and provides climbing shoes. The University of Miami hosts the Battle of the Boulders annual climbing event in February, a red-point style climbing competition for students where they climb as many different routes as they are able to accomplish within six hours. There are beginner, intermediate and open women's divisions, so climb on, Miami girls!
Clemson University, South Carolina
The Outdoor Recreation and Education program at Clemson University in South Carolina not only has a climbing wall, but takes students out on rock climbing adventures. The university has a Clemson Climbing Club with lots of women participating - check out their Instagram!
Clemson's climbing wall is 30 feet tall with 10 top rope anchors. The university offers free climbing clinics to teach students climbing skills, including how to belay. There's also a bouldering area at the climbing gym and a rental shop for students to borrow climbing gear.
Boise State University, Idaho
Students can enjoy a free introductory climbing course when they visit the climbing wall at Boise State University in Idaho. The courses are designed to build students' confidence as they become familiar with the climbing gear, communication between climber and belayer, and other belaying skills.
The clinics also cover all of the important safety skills climbers need to know to get started. The recreation program also offers belay and lead climbing certification check-offs for students looking to advance their skills.
University of Washington, Seattle
The University of Washington's Crags Climbing Center provides students with 5,000 square feet of climbing walls to explore. The 44-foot climbing wall is designed with an incredible 23 top ropes with 15 routes for lead climbs.
The large bouldering wall has at least 40 routes to challenge climbers of all skill levels, with the climbing center staff making adjustments to routinely mix up the routes. This is a high class climbing facility exclusive to University of Washington students and their guests.
Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina
Students can challenge themselves with the 50-foot climbing wall at Appalachian State University. The climbing gym on this campus has 10 top rope routes and bouldering. The gym is designed for all climbing abilities, with plenty of wall to play on.
Appalachian State University offers free climbing gear rentals to students so there's no excuse not to give it a go. The university's recreation program also offers climbing classes and certification check-offs.
University of Utah, Salt Lake City
The University of Utah is full-on when it comes to climbing! The Summit Climbing facility has 4,600 square feet to climb. The facility also hosts clinics, classes, and competitions. Students can also join a bouldering league.
University of Utah students can find a 54-foot climbing wall for top rope and lead climbing, with 11 anchors, and a 28-foot multi-pitch transition ledge. Climbers that want to boulder have another 13-foot bouldering wall to explore.
Idaho State University, Pocatello
This list of the best climbing walls for universities would not be complete without Idaho State University. This university campus is the host of the longest running top-rope climbing competition in America.
The Pocatello Pump began in 1981 and is a very friendly event, welcoming climbers of all skill levels to participate. Idaho State University students who join the competition have a chance at being awarded the Climber's Scholarship.
Florida State University, Tallahassee
Students can climb an outdoor climbing wall under the sun at Florida State University where the best thing about it is the view. The 40-foot outdoor climbing wall is located at the FSU Lakefront Park and Retreat Center, part of the campus recreation facilities.
Catch a view of the lake when you get to the top of the wall! Students have lots of other activities to choose from at the FSU park, including sand volleyball, swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Students at the University of South Carolina have a climbing wall on campus and access to climbing clinics and events. The university's campus recreation program hosts climbing sessions for students of all skill levels to help them fine tune and progress, while meeting and socializing with other students.
The climbing wall at the University of South Carolina is designed for top rope and lead climbing and bouldering.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The close proximity of epic rock climbing is enough to attract more than a few passionate rock climbers to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, a rock climber's paradise, is about a 30-minute drive. Of course, that led to a request from students to build a rock climbing gym to enjoy when the rocks are too hot.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas fulfilled students' request with an epic climbing gym that's free for them to use. The climbing facility includes a 13-foot tall bouldering area that spans 770 square feet with top of-the-line bouldering pads for safety. The newly-constructed climbing wall stands 43 feet tall and is designed for lead climbing and top rope climbing. It has six anchor lines, including two auto-belays, and beginner climbers can sign up for workshops to get started.
Portland State University, Oregon
The climbing center at Portland State University in Oregon has a 32-foot climbing wall and a super fun and challenging 14-foot bouldering wall for students to enjoy. The climbing routes are designed for all climbing skill levels and the climbing center staff is available to help get students set up and equipped with the proper gear.
To get started, Portland State University provides students with a climbing safety video to watch, followed by a safety quiz, and keeps climbers protected with top quality crash pads. Students looking to improve their climbing skills and find community can join the university's bouldering club.
University of California, Riverside
Free of charge for both use and rentals, students at the University of California, Riverside can visit 'The Rock' climbing gym to challenge themselves and spend time with friends.
The Rock has top rope climbing and bouldering routes for all climbing skill levels. Students can check in with the climbing center for upcoming events, clinics, and sessions.
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
New Mexico State University has a full-on climbing center along with clinics and climbing competitions for students. The 28-foot climbing wall has ten top ropes and lead climbing, too. The outdoor recreation staff at New Mexico State University switch up the routes for students every week!
The bouldering section of the gym is designed to challenge climbers of all skill levels with steep sections for advanced climbers. Bouldering routes are updated on a monthly basis. Students can check in with the climbing gym for information on clinics and bouldering competitions.
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