Camp Claire
Campground
Campground · 2.5 mi from the trail
Connecticut · Rock climbing · Lyme · Near Middletown
Balancing Rock
Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 6 routes
- V2 – V6-7
- Bouldering
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Balancing Rock is a climbing area in Connecticut, about 1.7 miles from Sterling City. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Keeny Road Boulders and the East Lyme Property both about 0.1 mile away. Late spring through early fall is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Groton show June highs around 75°F and September highs around 74°F, with July the warmest month at about 81°F. The Crossover Trail and the Nayantaquit Trail are both about 0.6 mile away, and Nehantic State Forest is about 1.5 miles off. Paddlers can reach the East Branch Eightmile River, about 5 miles away.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Abby's Place
Restaurant
On your way back · 5 mi
If it rainsJERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMaritime museum in Connecticut, USA
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: JERRYE AND ROY KLOTZ MD, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)
More in MiddletownBest time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Balancing Rock
Best months: April–October. 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.
Jan
39° / 24°
11 wet · 3 snow
Feb
41° / 25°
10 wet · 3 snow
Mar
47° / 32°
12 wet · 2 snow
Apr
57° / 41°
12 wet
May
66° / 50°
12 wet
Jun
75° / 59°
10 wet
Jul
81° / 66°
10 wet
Aug
80° / 65°
10 wet
Sep
74° / 58°
10 wet
Oct
63° / 47°
11 wet
Nov
53° / 38°
10 wet
Dec
44° / 30°
12 wet · 2 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Groton, CT, 14.2 mi away at 40 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
Photo: Morrowlong, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)East Lyme Property
Next door
East Lyme Property in Connecticut has 21 bouldering routes.
CLIMB
Nehantic State Forest
~3 min drive
Nehantic State Forest in Connecticut has 7 climbing routes across 6 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Pickwick's Preserve
~6 min drive
Pickwick's Preserve in Connecticut has 5 bouldering routes across 4 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Eastern Coastal Slope
~11 min drive
Eastern Coastal Slope in Connecticut has 8 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport, top-rope, and trad options.
CLIMB
Oswegatchie Hills
~11 min drive
Oswegatchie Hills in Connecticut has 12 bouldering routes across 6 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Rocky Neck
~12 min drive
Rocky Neck in Connecticut has 5 bouldering routes across 5 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
100 Acre Wood
~13 min drive
100 Acre Wood in Connecticut has 10 bouldering routes across 7 grades.
CLIMB
Main Mama Wall
~19 min drive
Main Mama Wall in Connecticut has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.11a.
CLIMB
Mamacoke Island
~19 min drive
Mamacoke Island in Connecticut has 7 climbing routes across 4 grades, offering bouldering and trad.
CLIMB
Spider Cave
~19 min drive
Spider Cave in Connecticut has 3 bouldering routes.
