What gear do I need for the bouldering areas like Tunnels Bouldering?

A crash pad is essential, and most problems benefit from two pads given the uneven landings common on granite boulders. Bring a stiff brush for the granite texture, and a spotter is genuinely useful on problems like Bob on a Knob Dyno where the moves are dynamic.

How do I get to the Red Feather Lakes climbing area?

Red Feather Lakes is roughly 50 miles northwest of Fort Collins via Highway 287 and County Road 74E. The roads into the area are generally passable for standard vehicles in dry conditions, but a higher-clearance vehicle helps for reaching some of the more remote boulder fields. Confirm current road conditions locally before heading out, especially in spring.

Is the climbing here suitable for beginners?

There are beginner-friendly problems in the mix, including lines like Path of Least Resistance and Start Something, which suggest lower-commitment movement. That said, most of the area skews toward intermediate and harder bouldering, so newer climbers will have more fun coming with someone experienced who can help route-find and spot.

Colorado · Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Red Feather Lakes sits in the foothills northwest of Fort Collins at roughly 8,000 feet, and the climbing here is almost entirely boulder-focused.

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Rock Climbing · 100 spots

Red Feather Lakes sits in the foothills northwest of Fort Collins at roughly 8,000 feet, and the climbing here is almost entirely boulder-focused. The area's granite offers a wide range of problems, from approachable lines like Path of Least Resistance and Start Something to more committing moves on problems like Cut With A Sword, Defiance, and the aptly named Bob on a Knob Dyno. Tunnels Bouldering is one of the main concentration zones, with problems like Grey Goose, Ugly Duck, Swan, and Flamingo clustered together in a way that makes it easy to link sessions without much hiking between stones. The Red Feather Lakes climbing area also hosts rope climbing, with listed routes like Tomorrow's Borrowed Fun and Joyride rounding out the 142 total listings for anyone who wants to mix bouldering with something longer. The rock tends to be featured and textured, rewarding climbers who can read movement well. Because the area sits at elevation and is surrounded by ponderosa pine, temperatures stay reasonable through summer when the Front Range bakes, making it a legitimate warm-weather option that most Colorado climbers overlook in favor of more publicized crags.

Frequently asked questions

Is Red Feather Lakes mostly bouldering or are there rope routes too?

The majority of the 142 listings are bouldering problems. That said, there are rope climbing routes in the area as well, including Tomorrow's Borrowed Fun and Joyride, so bringing a rope and a small rack is worthwhile if your group wants variety.

What time of year is best for climbing at Red Feather Lakes?

Late spring through early fall tends to work well. The elevation keeps summer temperatures cooler than the Front Range, which makes July and August viable when lower crags are too hot. Snow can linger into May and return in October, so check conditions before making the drive.