Technical climbing requires free registration before going above the boulder field and check-in after returning. Climbers must follow posted closures and should voluntarily refrain from climbing during June.
This is a traditional climbing destination
Hundreds of cracks divide the Tower into large columns. Routes vary widely, but most are not protected by bolts and require appropriate traditional-climbing equipment and judgment.
This page is an orientation, not route instruction. Consult current route information, experienced partners or a permitted commercial guide.
Registration is required
Every person climbing or scrambling above the boulder field must register. The free process is available at the kiosk near the Tower Trailhead in the visitor center parking area.
Complete the return portion after the climb. Registration supports safety and maintains a use record that the park has kept since 1937.
Closures and hazards
- Check current route closures, including seasonal closures for nesting falcons.
- Watch fast-changing weather; heat, lightning, hail and slippery rock can arrive quickly.
- Inspect anchors and know the rappel route before leaving the ground.
- Wear a helmet and avoid sending loose rock toward people below.
- Pack out all waste and do not leave equipment on the Tower.
Respect the June voluntary closure
The Tower is sacred to many Indigenous peoples. The National Park Service asks visitors to voluntarily avoid climbing and scrambling inside the Tower Trail loop throughout June, a culturally significant period for ceremonies.
Plan a different month or use another climbing area during June. The voluntary closure is a central part of the park’s climbing management plan.
Check current official information
Details such as fees, openings, closures and regulations can change. Use these official sources before travel: