Colorado · Rock climbing · Estes Park

Checkerboard Rock

Checkerboard Rock in Colorado has 8 routes across 6 grades, offering mixed and traditional climbing.

8 routes
5.8+ – 5.10d
Trad · Mixed

Is Checkerboard Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Rocky Mountain National Park. It doesn't name Checkerboard Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: NPS · Rocky Mountain National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Checkerboard Rock

Best months: May–June and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    37° / 16°

    7 wet

  2. Feb

    38° / 16°

    8 wet

  3. Mar

    45° / 21°

    9 wet

  4. Apr

    52° / 26°

    10 wet

  5. May

    61° / 35°

    12 wet

  6. Jun

    74° / 43°

    10 wet

  7. Jul

    80° / 48°

    13 wet

  8. Aug

    78° / 46°

    13 wet

  9. Sep

    70° / 39°

    9 wet

  10. Oct

    57° / 30°

    7 wet

  11. Nov

    44° / 23°

    6 wet

  12. Dec

    36° / 16°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Estes Park 3 Sse, CO, 3.9 mi away at 7,812 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Checkerboard Rock is a climbing area in Rocky Mountain National Park, within the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness, on land managed by the National Park Service. It sits in the park's backcountry, and a fee is charged for visits. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Estes Park show July highs around 80°F with lows near 48°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-30s. Batman Rock and the J-Crack Slab Area are both climbing areas within a quarter mile. The Lumpy Ridge Trail and Balanced Rock Trail are hikes about a mile and a half away.

Routes (8)

Facts about this crag

Rules & access

Fee
Yes

Source: National Park Service API

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