Top 5: Bouldering Spots in Boulder, Colo.

Boulder, Colo., is one of the top climbing areas in the world, so there is no shortage of places to get your bouldering on. Whether you’re a beginner looking to try a new sport or a seasoned pro, these are some great spots to help you get started.

Eldorado Canyon © F. Delventhal | Flickr

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Eldorado Canyon is a top spot for climbers from all over the country consisting of walls reaching up to 700 feet in the air. Most of the area is home to sport and tread climbing, but you can find some pretty decent bouldering in the area too.

The Flatirons © B K | Flickr

The Flatirons

It’s impossible to talk about Boulder climbing and not mention the Flatirons — they go hand in hand. These walls are sitting right at the edge of the city and you can very much walk to them from downtown if you so desire.

Boulder Canyon © John Brennan | Flickr

Boulder Canyon

The area from which the city gets its name, Boulder Canyon is home to granite both smooth and textured and is also within walking distance of the center of town. You can also spend a little time exploring Dream Canyon, another area with some stiff climbs, though not many bouldering routes.

Flagstaff Mountain © Gaurav Vaidya | Flickr

Flagstaff Mountain

Flagstaff Mountain might be the only climbing area around the city that can be described as a true bouldering spot. It’s located along Baseline Road just into the foothills, an easy find for tourists. The spot is full of boulders of varying degrees of difficulty.

Coal Creek Canyon © Von Fumetti | Flickr

Coal Creek Canyon

Coal Creek Canyon isn’t the most prominent climbing spot around Boulder, but it packs some pretty fun walls for beginners to get their start on. It sort of lacks in actual boulders but there are plenty of walls where you can scale toward the bottom without the need of a rope.