Asheville Climbing Center

The Asheville Climbing Center offers one of the best rainy day activities in the area for families with active kids — indoor bouldering and top-rope climbing in a purpose-built facility. No prior climbing experience is needed; the staff provides orientations and the routes are graded from beginner-friendly to challenging.

For young kids, the bouldering area is the best entry point. Bouldering walls are shorter (12-15 feet), require no rope or harness, and let kids immediately start climbing without a gear setup. Kids 5 and up can usually navigate the easier routes on their own. The sense of accomplishment when they top out a route for the first time is immediate and motivating.

Older kids and teens can progress to the taller top-rope walls, which require a harness and belay setup. The gym offers instruction for beginners. Climbing is an excellent activity for tweens and teens who have excess energy and a competitive streak — the grade system (5.6, 5.7, 5.8...) gives them concrete goals to work toward.

In a region known for outdoor recreation, indoor climbing also serves as good preparation for the real rock climbing available around Asheville — places like Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure or the Linville Gorge area.