Kentucky · Rock climbing · Stanton

Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock is a Kentucky climbing crag with 6 routes.

Haystack RockPhoto: pmuellr, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
6 routes
5.2 – 5.6
Trad

Is Haystack Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Haystack Rock, 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 Haystack Rock

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, 14.1 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Haystack Rock is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. It sits among a cluster of short hikes, with the Auxier Branch Trail #203 and Courthouse Rock Trail #202 both about 0.3 miles away. The area has six trad routes, all rated from 5.2 to 5.6. The Original Route is the easiest at 5.2, and Dirty Rastafarian Scoundrels is the hardest at 5.6. The Girdle Traverse, first climbed in 1970 by Lee Fischer and the Seibert siblings, adds a historical note to the list. For a change of pace, Long Wall is about 0.8 miles away and The Cove about 1.2 miles. Paddlers can reach the Middle Fork Red River roughly 3.6 miles off.

Routes (6)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Raven RockPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Raven Rock

~1 min drive

Natural rock climbing area in Kentucky with varied climbing opportunities.

Long WallPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Long Wall

~1 min drive

Long Wall in Kentucky has 40 climbing routes with bouldering pads, sport, and trad.

Tarr RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Tarr Ridge

~2 min drive

Kentucky ridge crag with varied climbing for multiple skill levels.

Pinch-em Tight RidgePhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Pinch-em Tight Ridge

~5 min drive

Technical Kentucky crag known for demanding climbing and distinctive rock features.

Window WallPhoto: karen roussel, CC0 (via Flickr)

Window Wall

~5 min drive

Kentucky climbing area with varied routes for multiple skill levels.

Princess ArchPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Princess Arch

~5 min drive

7 routes at Princess Arch in Kentucky span 6 difficulty grades, offering mixed and traditional climbing.

Half MoonPhoto: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Half Moon

~5 min drive

Accessible Kentucky climbing area with moderate routes for developing climbers.

The Cove

~2 min drive

Cove, The in Kentucky has 13 climbing routes on rock with 7 difficulty grades.

Tunnel Wall

~2 min drive

Kentucky climbing area with varied routes for multiple skill levels.

Northern Gorge

~2 min drive

Northern Gorge in Kentucky has 70 climbing routes across 32 grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.