Climbing Near Rockville, Maryland

Shaded and overgrown, The Croydon Creek Area spends most of its time out of the sun and, in conjunction to being right next to Croydon Creek, it can also be, at times, a bit damp. It is home to the Monkey's Cliff Boulder; the only boulder within the area (to date), and can be found directly behind the Croydon Creek Nature Center. To get there, plug in the address to the Croydon Creek Nature Center located in Rockville, MD ( 852 Avery Rd, Rockville, MD 20851 ), just outside of the John G. Hayes Forest Preserve and next to the Rockville Civic Center. The nature center is about a 5 minute drive, or a 30 minute walk, from the Movement Rockville rock climbing gym. Once at the nature center, park in the lot in front of the building and follow the trail behind the building down to the creek for approximately 5 minutes of hiking. You should pass right by the Monkey's Cliff Boulder on your way down to the creek. Once you are at the creek, turn around, and the boulder will be staring you right in the face jutting out of the cliff. Out of respect for those who are visiting the creek, the park, and the nature center, it is recommended that you do not park directly in front of the building if you are just climbing.Additionally, I believe the trail you would like to follow from the nature center is the Overlook trail (white blazes) down to the Overlook and the creek. However, it has been some time since I last visited this boulder and am not positive on which trail is the true trail to follow. In any case, even if you are not on the right trail (and I apologize if I have steered you wrong), all of the trails down to the creek from the nature center are less than a mile long, making it not very hard to back track and find this boulder. Nevertheless, you will know it when you see it as the surrounding creek bed is quite flat in comparison.A map of the John G. Hayes Forest Preserve trails can be found here for reference: ( rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCen… ).

The Monkey's Cliff Boulder is the only boulder within the Croydon Creek Area (to date). Shaded and overgrown, this boulder spends most of its time out of the sun and, in conjunction to being right next to Croydon Creek, it can also be, at times, a bit damp. It can be found directly behind the Croydon Creek Nature Center.While there is only one boulder problem currently on the boulder, there seems to be plenty of space for several more difficult and more complex routes to go up (especially given the two crack seems that run up either side). Once you arrive at the Croydon Creek Nature Center, follow the trail behind the building down to the creek for approximately 5 minutes of hiking. You should pass right by the Monkey's Cliff Boulder on your way down to the creek. Once you are at the creek, turn around, and the boulder will be staring you right in the face jutting out of the cliff.Additionally, I believe the trail you would like to follow from the nature center is the Overlook trail (white blazes) down to the Overlook and the creek. However, it has been some time since I last visited this boulder and am not positive on which trail is the true trail to follow. In any case, even if you are not on the right trail (and I apologize if I have steered you wrong), all of the trails down to the creek from the nature center are less than a mile long, making it not very hard to back track and find this boulder. You will know it when you see it as the surrounding creek bed is quite flat in comparison.A map of the John G. Hayes Forest Preserve trails can be found here for reference: ( rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCen… ).

Crowded. Very local By car go to yard house. It’s next to to it