CURRENT ACCESS ALERTS
| Sykesville, MD | Issue: As of 1/16/2024 the Jam boulder is confirmed to be on private property and we do not have permission to climb there. Police are monitoring the area. The Levitation boulders are also private property and closed. |
| Harpers Ferry, MD, VA, WV | Issue: All Virginia climbing in the park, as well as Jefferson Rock, Shenandoah Street Cliffs, and all cliffs along Shenandoah Street in the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry, WV is CLOSED as detailed on the Park's website. The 2024 seasonal Peregrine Falcon closures have been lifted as of June 27. |
| Catoctin Mountain Park, MD | Issue: The Park requests that the following boulders be effectively closed to climbing: Hog Rock trail area: Warfare/Knifewall and Chief Block/Gateway Fin Thurmont Vista area: Sudden/Smelted Chimney Rock (only the Chimney Rock area itself – the Pyramid Boulder is outside the area of concern) More information can be found on our news page. |
| The Narrows, MD | The 2024 seasonal Peregrine Falcon closures have been lifted as of June 27. Please note that Willis Mountain is currently closed due to various assessments being done by the Maryland DNR as part of the purchasing of land to secure legal access to the mountain. We do not have solid date on when this closure will be lifted. |
| T. Howard Duckett (Rocky Gorge) Reservoir, MD | Issue: Rocky Gorge and all WSSC properties are currently CLOSED to climbing. |
| Governor Stable, PA | Issue: Governor Stable is open as of December 16. More information and the rules for climbing can be found on the South Central Pennsylvania Climbers website. BACK AREA (past Pyramid Boulder) CLOSED indefinitely. |
| Southwest PA State Game Lands | Issue: State Game Lands 51 and 138 in Fayette County are CLOSED to climbing. The most well-known areas are Coll’s Cove, Lost Crag, The Vault, Casparis, Rob’s Knob, Fish Rocks, and Zebley Flats. Our partners at Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition and Access Fund are working to explore options to maintain climbing access. More information can be found on the SWPACC website. |
| Franklin, WV | Issue: We've received differing, sometimes conflicting, information from third parties on access. We know of no issues between the owners and the climbing community. If you do choose to climb there, please practice Leave No Trace principles. |
| Loch Raven, MD | Issue: Watershed land that does not currently allow climbing as a recreational activity. |
CURRENT CLIMBING INITIATIVES
Catoctin Mountain Park
Since 2016 when Catoctin Mountain Park restored bouldering access, Mid Atlantic Climbers has been working with National Park Service staff to steward climbing areas and develop educational materials for the climbing community. Catoctin Mountain Park is currently in the process of developing a plan to enhance the Park’s trail system and visitor experiences, while balancing recreation with natural and cultural resource protection.
Current Access Issues:
| Issue: The Park requests that the following boulders be effectively closed to climbing: Hog Rock trail area: Warfare/Knifewall and Chief Block/Gateway Fin Thurmont Vista area: Sudden/Smelted Chimney Rock (only the Chimney Rock area itself – the Pyramid Boulder is outside the area of concern) More information can be found on our news page. |
| Issue: Watershed land that does not currently allow climbing as a recreational activity. |
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, located on the border of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, is important to providing access to the outdoors for the DC metro region. It is a significant climbing resource in the mid-Atlantic, providing unique opportunities for multi-pitch traditional climbing, top roping, and bouldering.
Current Access Issues:
| Issue: All Virginia climbing in the park, as well as Jefferson Rock, Shenandoah Street Cliffs, and all cliffs along Shenandoah Street in the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry, WV is CLOSED as detailed on the Park's website. The 2024 seasonal Peregrine Falcon closures have been lifted as of June 27. |
Monongahela National Forest
The Monongahela National Forest has announced plans to develop a rock climbing management plan for the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA) of the forest. This includes Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole, Reeds Creek, and other areas. Whether you climb at these places multiple times per month, a few times a year, or just hope to someday climb there in the future, your input and perspective is valuable as the U.S. Forest Service determines how climbing will be managed for years to come.
T. Howard Duckett Climbing Closure
It has been brought to our attention that WSSC Water, the land manager for T. Howard Duckett Reservoir (commonly known by climbers as Rocky Gorge) does not list climbing as a permitted form of recreation. There have been been several reported incidents between climbers and WSSC Water in which the land manager have asked them to leave.
Willis Mountain State Park Closure
The Maryland Department Of Natural Resources (DNR) has closed Willis Mountain State Park, a subset of what is known in the climbing community as The Narrows, as part of its effort to improve public access.
PAST CLIMBING INITIATIVES
Old Rag Ticketing Program
Shenandoah National Park has announced and implemented a pilot ticket program at Old Rag Mountain. This program, effective March 2022, requires all visitors of Old Rag reserve a ticket prior to visiting.