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Las Vegas Bouldering

The city of Las Vegas has the Strip, the neon, the chaos — but if you’re a climber, the real jackpot is five minutes from the Kraft parking lot. The Vegas bouldering scene is stacked. Like, “you could live here for years and still barely scratch the surface” stacked.

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This is where sandstone dreams live. Piles of V0–V5s for days, classic moderates that every visiting climber should tick, and just enough harder stuff lurking around corners to keep the crushers busy. Whether it’s your first outdoor boulder session or you’re chasing a pumpy project, Red Rock delivers.

Where To Go

This is the epicenter of Vegas bouldering — pads everywhere, crowds on weekends, and enough classics to keep you busy for years. It’s the perfect intro to Red Rock climbing routes without ropes, and you’ll find something at every grade.


Must-dos:

  • Chicken Lips (V1) – Great beginner warm-up.
     

  • The Cube (V2) – Friendly moderates, multiple fun lines.
     

  • The Pearl (V4) – Iconic Red Rock boulder problem, sharp crimps, perfect landing.
     

  • Monkey Bars Traverse (V4) – Pumpy endurance line right in the middle of the action.

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Show up early to beat the parking chaos, and be ready to make some friends — the Kraft lot scene is half the fun.

Calico Basin is the sleepier sibling of Kraft. The approaches are a little longer, the problems are more spread out, and you won’t have a hundred pads stacked under The Pearl. What you will get is quieter vibes and a lineup of super-fun moderates that make it a great place to spend the day if you’re not chasing double-digit projects.

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A few classics to check out:

  • Calico Eggs (V0–V1) – Easy, juggy fun with a mellow landing. Great warm-up.
     

  • Shoe Crack (V2) – Exactly what it sounds like: a perfect little crack that eats your foot jams.
     

  • The Angel Dyno (V4) – Okay, this one’s famous. Big, committing move, photogenic as hell, and still beginner-friendly enough to at least try.

  • Hematoma (V5) – One of the best moderates in the area — crimps, moves, and a proud finish.
     

The vibe here is more wandering and exploring than ticking off the same five problems everyone else is working. If Kraft feels like a climbing gym with no roof, Calico is where you can actually hear yourself think. Pack a little extra water, expect longer strolls between boulders, and lean into that desert solitude.

If Kraft is the gym, Gateway is the locals’ training ground. A bit more hiking, fewer tourists, and stiffer problems. Still, there are some gems for mid-level climbers willing to wander.


Worth checking:

  • Jim Beam Arete (V2) – A proud little arete that climbs better than it looks.
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  • Gateway Arete (V3) – Tall, photogenic, and classic.
     

  • Vino Rojo (V4) – Great movement on solid holds.
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  • Burning Spears (V5) – A standout problem if you’re stretching into harder grades.
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Gateway feels more raw and adventurous — pack extra water and expect a longer day out.

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