Ancient fossils still lie hidden in the bold and bronzen buttes of Badlands National Park, a protected wilderness penetrated by hiking and biking trails.
This state park is one of the real gems of rock climbing around Boulder. The steep conglomerate sandstone walls are solid and offer up over 700 established climbs. Of these climbs, almost all of them have a distinctive Eldorado flavor to them meaning they are funky and technical at odd moments and in weird ways. It’s nothing new though as most of the climbs are trad routes interspersed with old fixed gear which can offer a hand or a headache as one tries to figure out how the heck to protect all the way up the climb.
For those looking to spice up their climbing experience look no further. Eldorado Canyon State Park has many routes for every level of trad climber but it is also a great place for beginners to start to do some more unusual climbs and push their placement skills. There are very few standard cracks to work with in most areas so ingenuity is key. Enjoying this naturally beautiful area is simple as the routes offer great views and rewards after a challenging climb at any of the various crags.
Details
Location
Just southwest of Boulder, Colorado
Rock Type:
Solid sandstone conglomerate
Hazards:
Crowds and sometimes sketchy placement and old fixed gear
Routes:
Lifetime
Season:
Spring to Fall
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Take HWY 93 (Broadway) South from Boulder. At the first stop light after leaving town take Eldorado Springs dr. to the west. The park entrance is at the end of the dirt road
We offer a compact version of Go-Southdakota for mobile users, allowing you to access just the information you need on the road. Of course, you can still use the full version of Go-Southdakota on your mobile device just as you can on your desktop.