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Colorado · Rock Climbing
Kim, Colorado sits in the high plains of Las Animas County, and the climbing around it punches well above what most people expect from southeastern Colorado.
49 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 49 spots
Kim, Colorado sits in the high plains of Las Animas County, and the climbing around it punches well above what most people expect from southeastern Colorado. The area draws from a spread of 49 listed routes and problems across destinations like Picket Wire Canyon, Misson Boulders, and Don Wall, covering everything from technical sport routes to standalone boulder problems. The route names alone give you a sense of the character here: Fungal Lobotomy, Reverend Blue Jeans, The Lord of La Junta. You'll find crack climbing on routes like Gill's Other Crack and Fat Finger Slim, overhang problems at Left Overhang Direct and Right Overhang Crest, and face routes like Queen's Ride and Pleasure Cruise. The rock is predominantly sandstone, which means conditions matter more than at granite crags. The climbing community here is small and the areas are relatively uncrowded, which is a genuine draw if you're tired of parking-lot queues at Front Range destinations. That said, this is remote high-plains terrain, so self-sufficiency matters. Cell service is limited, services in Kim are minimal, and the nearest significant town is La Junta to the north. Come prepared, and you'll have access to a legitimate variety of climbing that most Colorado climbers haven't touched.
Spring (April through early June) and fall (September through October) are the most reliable seasons. Summer temperatures on the high plains can push routes into the shade-only category by midday, and afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through August. Winter days can be climbable when dry, but sandstone loses strength when wet or frozen, so check conditions carefully before pulling on anything after precipitation.
The 49 listings span a genuine range. Bouldering problems like Half Hearted and Green Art tend to be more approachable entry points, while routes like Fungal Lobotomy and Brain Line suggest more technical demands. If you're a newer climber, the bouldering at Misson Boulders is worth starting with before committing to the longer routes at areas like Don Wall or Picket Wire Canyon.
Gill's Other Crack
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Misson Boulders
~0 min drive
Colorado bouldering area with varied problems for multiple skill levels.
Reverend Blue Jeans
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
OW Crack
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Vortex Boulder and Padilla Boulder, The
~0 min drive
Colorado bouldering on natural stone with varied problem grades.
Crack Left
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Center Overhang Direct
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Picket Wire Canyon
~0 min drive
Remote Colorado canyon climbing on sandstone above the Purgatoire River.
A Case of Corona
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Nothing Is Enough
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Scorpio Crag
~0 min drive
Colorado climbing crag with solid rock and routes for developing climbers.
Crack Right
~0 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Rock climbing
Kim, Colorado
Bouldering
Kim, Colorado
Picket Wire Canyon is managed by the Comanche National Grassland under the U.S. Forest Service, and access requires going through designated entry points on forest service roads outside Kim. Some routes like Rim Access suggest trail approaches to the canyon rim. Confirm current access conditions and any permit requirements directly with the Comanche National Grassland office in La Junta before your trip, as road and area closures can occur.
For the bouldering at areas like Misson Boulders, a crash pad, brush, and climbing shoes cover the basics. For roped routes across Don Wall and Picket Wire Canyon, bring a standard rack with cams and nuts suited to crack climbing given routes like Gill's Other Crack and Limon Layback. Water is the critical item regardless of discipline. There are no water sources at the crags, and the drive back to services in Kim or La Junta takes time.
Dispersed camping is available on portions of the Comanche National Grassland, but designated sites are limited in this part of Las Animas County. Check with the La Junta USFS office for current dispersed camping rules and any fire restrictions, which are frequently in effect during dry stretches. Kim itself has no established campground, so plan your overnight logistics before you arrive.
