Things to Keep in Mind

Climbing at Red Rock? Check wetrockpolice to see if it’s dry. The sign says to wait 48 hours since it has last rained, but we’ve seen it take longer. A good rule of thumb is to dig an inch into the dirt to see if it’s dry.

Gyms will continue to change with staff turnover or updates, and it’s more noticeable at smaller, independent gyms than at large, corporate ones. All the gyms in Vegas except the Pad are independent, so anytime something changes, you notice a huge difference, whether for better or worse. Since 2019, we’ve changed gyms.

The best gym will depend on what you’re looking for. Gym climbing has evolved and has become its own sport. I’ve noticed my outdoor friends like gyms with lots of ‘tensiony’ moves that train them for the outdoors, but many of our indoor-only climbing friends are looking for something entirely different.

Our friends who van life and travel to climb outdoors year-round have told us that generally, climbing gyms have been worse at better outdoor climbing destinations, but that could also be because many are found in smaller communities.

Map of the Best Climbing Gyms in Las Vegas

OTHER Rock Climbing Gyms in Las Vegas and Nearby

Here, we’re including fitness facilities that have climbing walls and areas to climb nearby.

Whitney Recreation Center – 30ft climbing wall with four routes

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Mt Charleston (45 min drive) – where the locals climb in the summer

Moe’s Valley in St George (2 hrs away)

Joshua Tree (3.5 hrs away)

What to Pack – Climber’s Packing List

First Timer’s What to Bring

You can rent shoes, chalk, and a harness if it’s your first time. All you need to bring is the following:

Comfortable Clothes – check this post for our favorite climbing pants and apparel

Socks for Rental Shoes – You don’t have to wear socks, but I find it gross to go barefoot in rentals.

Water Bottle – so you can refill it and stay hydrated.

Snacks

Rock Climbing Essentials for Indoor Climbing

For those who already climb, don’t forget these items too! Check this post for our favorite of each.

Climbing Shoes – we always say to buy the shoes that fit your feet best. I tried every pair I could get my hands on, and so far, these have fit me best, and I’ve worn them for the past five years. I’m happy about their performance.

Comfortable Climbing Shoes – if you climb a lot and want to save your rubber for when you’re projecting, buy a second cheaper pair with thicker rubber. These are great for warming up, or our outdoor friends call them their gym shoes.

Chalk Bag or Chalk Bucket

Brush

Chalk

Tape 

Boulder Bag

Harness (Sport + Top Rope)

Rope (Sport)

GriGri Belay Device (Sport + Top Rope)

Extras

Finally, here are some miscellaneous items you can bring for warming up, training, and more.

Rhino Skin Care / Elizabeth Arden Miracle Balm – One of our friends swears by this.

Crag Kit

Belay Gloves

FlexBar – resistance bar for tendinitis and improving grip strength. You can also get this set of 3, which has a light, medium, and heavy.

Hand Exerciser

Knee Strap – The older we get, the more often we get injured.

PIVO Tripod – can track your movement and follow you

Wrist Widget – I use these to help stabilize my wrists. I don’t know if I have a TFCC tear, but I have wrist pain when climbing.

Acupressure Rings

Liquid Bandaid / Super Glue

Rehab Bands – been borrowing these from a friend for rehabbing my fingers.

Nail Clipper

More About Our CLimbing Journey

We typically climb in the intermediate V4-6 range indoors and outdoors. Most climbers we’ve seen at gyms have been either beginner or intermediate climbers. If you’re climbing in the advanced to pro range, we assume you don’t need to Google gyms and already have a network of climbing friends telling you where to climb (but who knows… we could be wrong).

I used to route-set at our old gym in Vegas, so I have a basic understanding of what the setting should be. Different gyms and setters focus on different things when setting. Whether to train certain moves or for the aesthetic, the bottom line is that it should always be fun.

We’ve climbed at over 25 gyms all over the US and have a good idea of what cities have decent climbing gyms. Most of these have been in major cities (ABQ, Atlanta, Austin, Bishop, Chattanooga, NY, Portland, San Diego, SF, Seattle, and Vegas).

Since we’re not pro climbers, double-digit climbers, or TikTok famous, people don’t give us special treatment. As an Asian male, Jacob can get a good feel of whether the gym community is friendly.

Where to stay in Vegas