Access Fund is pleased to announce $30,000 in new climbing conservation grants to climbing advocates around the country. Our eight awardees will advance new projects in human waste solutions, erosion control, climber education, land acquisitions, data collection, and an economic impact study.

“Protecting America’ climbing is a never-ending job, and we all have a role to play as climbing advocates,” says Access Fund National Affiliate Director Jenna Winkler. “Access Fund provides grants like these—along with loans, training, advocacy tools, and direct access to staff expertise—to ensure that local advocates are ready to step up when an access or conservation issue arises in your backyard.”

Since 1991, Access Fund has awarded more than $1.5 million in Climbing Conservation Grants to support 474 projects in land conservation and climbing access. Our fall 2024 grantees include:

Arizona: Prescott Climbers Coalition - Upper Sullivan’s Canyon Land Acquisition Campaign

The Prescott Climbers Coalition (PCC), in partnership with the Trust for Public Lands, is urgently raising funds to purchase a 10-acre property that includes a vital climbing area. Upper Sullivan’s Canyon is key for regional sports and supports ongoing wildlife conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and educational and recreational activities in the Upper Verde River Wildlife Area and the Verde River Headwaters State Park. PCC will use this grant to kick off a campaign and host an event to raise additional awareness and funding in support of this project. 

Sullivan's Canyon, Arizona. © Prescott Climbers Coalition.

California: Bishop Area Climbers’ Coalition - Pine Creek Portable Toilet

A popular spring, summer, and fall rock climbing destination, the Inyo National Forest’s Pine Creek Canyon is a prime candidate for a permanent vault toilet. Access Fund and the Bishop Area Climbers’ Coalition (BACC) submitted a proposal for permanent facilities, but must maintain portable toilet rentals until it is approved. BACC will use this grant to maintain portable toilets for the 2025 season, as well as to leverage additional fundraising opportunities. Long term, the Pine Creek vault toilet will provide a more durable solution to human waste management at the popular climbing areas and informal campgrounds in Pine Creek.

Colorado: Boulder Climbing Community - Blob Rock Climbing Access-Phase II

When the Blob Rock Complex isn't closed for nesting raptors, it is one of the most popular climbing areas in Boulder Canyon. The Boulder Climbing Community (BCC) has identified urgent climbing access improvement needs at the Blob Rock complex in Boulder Canyon and has approval from the US Forest Service  to carry out these improvements. The current trail to reach the Main Blob Rock and East Blob wall comprises many steep sections of loose rocks and soil. To combat erosion on the way to this popular climbing location, the BCC will undertake basic infrastructure and erosion control measures including simple stone staircases, retaining walls, and check dams. Once built, these solutions will need minimal maintenance in the years ahead. Funding will support BCC’s professional trail crew as they perform this trail work and host volunteer days.

Nevada: Eastern Nevada Climbers Alliance - Hercules Gap

Eastern Nevada’s Hercules Gap is about to get some love thanks to the brand new Eastern Nevada Climbers Alliance (ENCA). The group will  build trails, clear landings below climbs, and create a trailhead kiosk under a new agreement with the City of Ely, which owns the land. Funding will allow ENCA to purchase tools to build trails and clear debris, as well as support construction of the trailhead kiosk.

Nevada: Southern Nevada Climber’s Coalition - Rain Monitoring in Red Rock Canyon

Climbing on wet sandstone can permanently damage classic routes and lead to injuries resulting in rescues. To address this issue, the Southern Nevada Climber’s Coalition (SNCC) is working to provide more accurate rain data for popular sandstone climbing areas and to unify this information across websites used by visiting climbers. SNCC will install rain stations with equipment provided by the Desert Research Institute to gather data that will get posted publicly on wetrockpolice.com and other weather sites. Its goal is to have this project installed and operational by the start of the winter 2024-25 season to ensure that climbers can make educated decisions with accurate information prior to heading out. Our grant will cover the materials for one rain station.

Table Rock State Park, South Carolina. © Fixed Line Media.

North Carolina/South Carolina: Carolina Climbers Coalition - Educational Kiosk Initiative

A little bit of education makes for better climbing advocates and a better climbing experience. That’s why the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) will create and install kiosks at Moore’s Wall, Maibauer Boulders, and Table Rock State Park to provide educational content about these climbing areas and their regulations, while also sharing a bit about climbing conservation. A well designed kiosk helps climbers plan effectively with up-to-date information. It also increases climber safety through posted emergency contact information and environmental awareness by sharing Leave No Trace principles. In the state parks, CCC’s kiosks serve as a meeting place to fill out permits at the start of the day and to ensure that visitors are well informed. Funding will cover construction of the kiosks and metal signs. 

West Virginia: West Virginia Land Trust, Inc - Acquisition

The West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) is working in partnership with the Cheat Canyon Climbers Coalition to acquire what is believed to be the tallest gritstone cliff in America and a top climbing spot in the region. By acquiring and managing this property as a natural and recreational area, WVLT aims to facilitate public access  to over 50 climbing routes with a designated parking area and planned trails. Upon successful acquisition, WVLT will collaborate with the Cheat Canyon Climbers Coalition to formalize an official agreement outlining the Coalition’s role in maintaining climbing infrastructure under WVLT’s comprehensive management plan. WVLT will use this grant to cover initial acquisition costs. 

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Climbers Association - Devil’s Lake State Park Economic Impacts of Climbing Analysis

Devil’s Lake State Park (DLSP) is the most visited park in Wisconsin, receiving 2.5 million visitors a year. It has some of the best climbing in the Midwest, attracting trad, top rope, and bouldering climbers from across the country to experience its unique purple quartzite rock. But climbers have never measured the economic impact of the area’s popularity. The Wisconsin Climbers Association (WCA) will change that by conducting an economic impact analysis and Leave No Trace study of rock climbing at DLSP. Working with Dr. James Maples and Dr. Michael Bradley, WCA and a network of volunteers will survey climbers visiting the park to understand their climbing behavior and the economic impact of our sport at this state resource. The results of this study will allow WCA to access or enhance opportunities for climbing and stewardship projects, as well as help WCA and collaborate with the state on a long-term climbing management plan for DLSP.  WCA will use grant funding to cover the consultant’s fees and IMPLAN economic impact estimator. 

Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin. © Nick Wilkes.