Kentucky · Rock climbing · Olive Hill

Carter Caves

Carter Caves in Kentucky has 2 sport climbing routes with 2 difficulty grades.

2 routes

5.8 – 5.10-

Sport

Best time to visit Carter Caves

Best months: June and August–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
40° / 21°
14 wet
Feb
45° / 23°
12 wet
Mar
54° / 29°
12 wet
Apr
66° / 38°
13 wet
May
74° / 50°
14 wet
Jun
79° / 59°
12 wet
Jul
82° / 63°
13 wet
Aug
82° / 60°
11 wet
Sep
76° / 54°
9 wet
Oct
66° / 40°
10 wet
Nov
54° / 30°
10 wet
Dec
44° / 26°
13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Olive Hill 5ne, KY, 2.3 mi away at 888 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Carter Caves is a climbing area within Carter Caves State Resort Park in Kentucky, managed by State Park and Recreation. The park's name points to its caves, and the climbing sits among the park's other trails and waterways. The climbing here is sport climbing, with two routes: Moss Monster at 5.8 and Panic Attack at 5.10-. Both are sport routes, and the grade range runs from 5.8 to 5.10-. For timing, fall is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show September highs around 76°F with lows near 54°F and only about nine wet days, while October cools to highs near 66°F. Several other outings lie close by. Horn Hollow Trail and 4 C's Trail are both within half a mile, and Kiser Hollow Trail, a mountain biking route, is about a mile away. Tygarts Creek, a canoeing spot, is roughly 1.7 miles off.