Kentucky · Rock climbing · Rogers

Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag)

51-route climbing area in Kentucky with bouldering, sport, and trad.

51 routes
5.3 – 5.13a
Sport · Trad · Mixed

Is Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag) open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag), so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag)

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.

  1. Jan

    42° / 24°

    13 wet

  2. Feb

    47° / 27°

    13 wet

  3. Mar

    57° / 34°

    15 wet

  4. Apr

    68° / 44°

    15 wet

  5. May

    75° / 53°

    15 wet

  6. Jun

    82° / 61°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 65°

    14 wet

  8. Aug

    84° / 64°

    12 wet

  9. Sep

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  10. Oct

    69° / 44°

    12 wet

  11. Nov

    57° / 35°

    12 wet

  12. Dec

    46° / 28°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Beattyville 4n, KY, 7.6 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Graining Fork Nature Preserve, also known as Roadside Crag, is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among a cluster of named climbing areas, with The Old Zoo just 0.1 mile away and The New Zoo and Bird Cage Sector each about 0.2 mile off. The preserve holds 51 routes, with sport climbing the most common style at 33 routes and traditional climbing at 14. The grades run from 5.3 up to 5.13a, with a median of 5.10d. Among the named routes are Gumby Land (5.3, trad), Trouble Clef (5.9-, sport), and Chunnel (5.13a, sport). The bouldering here is minimal, with only two routes. For timing, fall is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show October highs around 69°F and lows near 44°F, with fewer wet days than spring. That station sits about 200 feet lower than the preserve, so temperatures on the crag run slightly cooler. The Old Zoo and The New Zoo are the closest climbing neighbors. Upper Hood's Branch Trail is about 2.9 miles away for a hike, and the Middle Fork Red River offers paddling about 4.2 miles off.

Routes (51)

Andromeda StrainFA: R. Snider, J. Bronaugh, 19845.10aAWOLFA: Mark Williams, Porter Jarrard, 19905.10aBattle of the BulgeFA: Matt Flach, Ron Snider, 19895.10aFaddaFA: C. Chaney, B. Rogers5.10aHard LeftFA: Charles Tabor, Mike Torbett - 19905.10aRunnin Down a DreamFA: Jim Link, John Wishman, June 19895.10aYou Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna FishFA: Mike Woodhouse - 19975.10bCrazy FingersFA: R. Turan & M. Williams, 19905.10cMantel RouteFA: Ron Snider, Matt Flach5.10cDragonslayerFA: M Williams, C. Tabor, 19905.10dJust DuetFA: John Bronaugh5.10dPulling PocketsFA: Greg Smith, Tom Souders 19875.10dSynchronicityFA: G.Smith, T.Souders, 19875.11aHarder Than Your HusbandFA: Greg Smith, 19845.11bUp YonderFA: Porter Jarrard, 19935.11bEric and Brian's Excellent AdventureFA: Eric Anderson, Brian McCray - 19935.11dHemisfearFA: Matt Flach, Charles Tabor, 1989.5.11dMilkin' the ChickenFA: M Williams, 19905.11dScissorsFA: Porter Jarrard, Steve Cater5.11dThe Return of Chris SnyderFA: porter jarrard, mike norman, 1992.5.11dHome Is Where the Heart IsFA: Mark Williams - 19895.12aPineFA: Porter Harrard, Jeff Moll 19925.12aRelease the KrakenFA: Erik Kloeker; Billy Simek, 20185.12aRo ShampoFA: J. Baker, J. Link5.12aStay the HandFA: Porter Jarrard, Mark Schussler, 19905.12aWay Up YonderFA: Porter Jarrard - 19935.12aJersey ConnectionFA: Matt Flach, Rob Turan, 19905.12bStrevels Gets in ShapeFA: Porter Jarrard, Eric Anderson - 19905.12bTic-Tac-ToeFA: Brian McCray, 19935.12bScience FrictionFA: Eric Greulich, 20055.12cStay the Hand (Direct Start)FA: Tim Steele5.12cWild GiftFA: Porter Jarrard, Mark Schussler - 19905.12cWicked GamesFA: Jamie Baker, Rob Butsch - 19925.12dChunnelFA: Lee Smith 20105.13aGumby LandFA: Tim Powers - 19945.3MothaFA: G. Stephens5.6C Sharp or B FlatFA: Tina Bronaugh, Jennifer Rannells, 19935.7I Didn't Know This Was The EndFA: Mason Allen, Scott Brown5.7Ledger LineFA: Ryan Adams 20025.7Roadside AttractionFA: G. Smith, R. Snider5.7Strawberry ShortcakeFA: Aaron Jones5.7All Cows Eat GrassFA: John Bronaugh, 20025.8Five Finger DiscountFA: T. Anderson, M. Hackworth5.8Valor Over DiscretionFA: Roger Pearson, John Bronaugh - 19875.8Over Yonder5.9Trouble ClefFA: John Bronaugh, 20025.9-Altered ScaleFA: John Bronaugh - 20025.9+Jump for JoyFA: FA: G Stevens, TR. FFA: T Crabtree, J Ashley, after bolting.5.9+KampsightFA: Tina Bronaugh, John Bronaugh, 19925.9+Rosetta Phone HomeFA: Tal ShutkinV3Ro ShamloFA: Jacob Schierman/UnknownV5-

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