Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Elevation: 46 ft
GPS: 41.80714, -71.40562
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 1,695,899 total · 10,215/month
Shared By: Joe M on Jul 30, 2010 · Updates
Admins: M Sprague, Jamie Re, Joe M

Description Suggest change

Rhode Island might be the smallest state in the union, but it has plenty to offer climbing wise if you are a fan of its more diminutive form. There is a well developed bouldering community here, with the main focus being Lincoln Woods State Park, just north west of Providence. Being close to the city and its numerous colleges, the boulders and ledges of the 600+ acre park have been climbed on extensively since the early 70s. The quality, number of routes and fact that it is often free of snow when other places are covered means frequent visitors from the neighboring states as well, all who have helped add lines and upped the grades. There are hundreds of established lines, currently up to V13-14.

Less well known, smaller, but sometimes high quality areas are scattered around the state, mostly in the western half, in the various management areas. If you want to take a break from the somewhat urban experience of Lincoln Woods and maybe find some new lines, exploring these other areas is recommended. There are gems out there in the State Management areas, like the excellent Lost Boulder in the Arcadia Management Area, new finds at Beach Pond on the RI/CT border, and a few prized boulders at Black Hut, Rockville and Wickaboxet. The newly accessible Rocky Point bouldering is becoming popular with its overhanging good quality rock.

There is not much for roped climbing. Unfortunately, the best areas for that have been closed, like Diamond Hill and Long Pond. There is a bit of top roping and short trad leads available on the ledges of Durfee Hill, Snake Den, Mt. Tom and Breakheart Ledge (Arcadia), Beach Pond and Wickaboxet. Beach Pond has a handful of recently bolted easy sport climbs. For nearby, more extensive roped climbing, you are usually better off heading over the border to Connecticut or Mass.

Getting There Suggest change

The smallest state in the U.S., south of Massachusetts and east of Connecticut.

Beta

Suggest change
Rhode Island is a fairly urban area and as such, the most popular climbing area, Lincoln Woods, tends to reflect that. There is not much camping available. However, the climbing is challenging and interesting and there is a vibrant local community.

1,780 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Rhode Island Change
Type:  to 
Quality:
Pitches:
Sort by:   then:
 

Classic Climbing Routes at Rhode Island

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2 5+
 240
The Wave
Boulder
V2+ 5+
 56
The Lost Problem
Boulder
V3 6A
 152
Peace Dove
Boulder
V3 6A
 179
The Quiet Buddhist
Boulder
V4 6B
 165
The Pond Cave Traverse
Boulder
V4+ 6B+
 97
Heart of Glass
Boulder
V5 6C
 59
The Executioner - Old Version
Boulder
V6-7 7A+
 135
Loadies Zen
Boulder
V7 7A+
 99
Leap Frog
Boulder
V7 7A+
 57
Last Call
Boulder
V7+ 7A+
 50
Iron Cross Sit Start
Boulder
V8 7B
 82
Who Needs Hueco
Boulder
V8 7B
 37
Hueco Dreams
Boulder
V8 7B
 15
The Executioner - Post Break
Boulder
V9 7C
 35
Barbed Wire
Boulder
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
The Wave Lincoln Woods > Great Slab / Wave Bou…
 240
V2 5+ Boulder
The Lost Problem Lincoln Woods > Sit Down area /… > Split Rock
 56
V2+ 5+ Boulder
Peace Dove Lincoln Woods > Peace Dove Area > Peace Dove Boulder
 152
V3 6A Boulder
The Quiet Buddhist Lincoln Woods > Pond Cave Area > Pond Cave
 179
V3 6A Boulder
The Pond Cave Traverse Lincoln Woods > Pond Cave Area > Pond Cave
 165
V4 6B Boulder
Heart of Glass Lincoln Woods > Heart Boulder
 97
V4+ 6B+ Boulder
The Executioner - Old Version Lincoln Woods > Tombstone
 59
V5 6C Boulder
Loadies Zen Lincoln Woods > Try Again Boulder
 135
V6-7 7A+ Boulder
Leap Frog Lincoln Woods > Pond Cave Area > Pond Cave
 99
V7 7A+ Boulder
Last Call Lincoln Woods > … > Talus Area > Talus Boulder
 57
V7 7A+ Boulder
Iron Cross Sit Start Lincoln Woods > Warm Up Area ak… > Iron Cross Boulder
 50
V7+ 7A+ Boulder
Who Needs Hueco Lincoln Woods > Pond Cave Area > Pond Cave
 82
V8 7B Boulder
Hueco Dreams Lincoln Woods > Pond Cave Area > Pond Cave
 37
V8 7B Boulder
The Executioner - Post Break Lincoln Woods > Tombstone
 15
V8 7B Boulder
Barbed Wire Lincoln Woods > Tuolumne Boulder
 35
V9 7C Boulder
More Classic Climbs in Rhode Island »

Weather Averages

High
 
Low
 
Precip
 
Days w Precip
 
Prime Climbing Season
J F M A M J J A S O N D
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Photos

loading