The Dark Side
Dark Side, The in Kentucky has 31 climbing routes across 17 grades.
- 31 routes
- 5.9 – 5.13d
- Sport · Trad
Is Dark Side, The open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Dark Side, The, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
National Visitor Use Monitoring, Oct 2026-Sept 2027
Agency closure covering Daniel Boone National Forest · USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest
Scott Creek Boat ramp briefly inaccessible, July 30
Agency closure covering Daniel Boone National Forest · USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest
Low water levels at Laurel River Lake
Agency alert covering Daniel Boone National Forest · USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest
Active logging operations near Redbird Crest Trail Sections 17-19
Agency alert covering Daniel Boone National Forest · USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest
Cliffside Trail #519 Closure
Agency alert covering Daniel Boone National Forest · USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit The Dark Side
Best months: August–November. 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
42° / 24°
13 wet
Feb
47° / 27°
13 wet
Mar
57° / 34°
15 wet
Apr
68° / 44°
15 wet
May
75° / 53°
15 wet
Jun
82° / 61°
14 wet
Jul
84° / 65°
14 wet
Aug
84° / 64°
12 wet
Sep
79° / 57°
10 wet
Oct
69° / 44°
12 wet
Nov
57° / 35°
12 wet
Dec
46° / 28°
13 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 3.3 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
The Dark Side is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District and the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve. The land is managed by a non-governmental organization. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show October highs around 69°F with lows near 44°F, and May highs around 75°F. Summer runs hotter, with July and August highs typically in the mid-80s. Several other climbing areas sit close by. Solar Collector/Gold Coast is about 0.2 miles away, and Bright Side and Crossroads are each about 0.3 miles off. For a change of pace, the Sheltowee Trace high water route is about 2.2 miles away.
Routes (31)
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