Kentucky · Rock climbing · Pine Ridge

Hen's Nest Rock

Hen's Nest Rock in Kentucky offers 10 traditional climbing routes across 7 difficulty grades.

Photo: US Forest Service - Southern Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

10 routes

5.6 – 5.10c

Trad

Is Hen's Nest Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Hen's Nest Rock, 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 Oct 25, 9:15 pm EDT · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Hen's Nest 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.

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

Hen's Nest Rock is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the area sits among several other climbing spots and trails, making it a compact base for a day of rock and a walk. The climbing here is all traditional, with 10 routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.10c. The easiest is Mindy at 5.6, and the hardest is Finger Lickin' Good at 5.10c. Some routes are marked closed, including Sultans of Stem and Close to the Edge. Fall is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Beattyville show October highs around 69°F with lows near 44°F, and September and October see the fewest wet days of the year. Middle Small Wall is just 0.3 miles away, and Lower Small Wall is 0.5 miles off. Sky Bridge and Swift Camp Trail are also within a mile. For an overnight stay, Menifee County Dispersed Rec. Sites is about 4 miles away.