Kentucky · Rock climbing · Beattyville

The Mega Cave

Mega Cave, The in Kentucky has 5 climbing routes.

5 routes
5.11- – 5.13+
Sport · Trad

Is Mega Cave, The open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Mega Cave, The, 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 The Mega Cave

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

The Mega Cave is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with South Park about 1.6 miles away and Hole New Wall and B-Hole Wall each about 1.7 miles off. The area's five routes run from 5.11- to 5.13+, with four of them sport routes and one, Shotgun Funeral, a trad route. The hardest is Open Project at 5.13+. Slammed Drunk, a sport route at 5.13-, was first climbed by Steve Sandmann and equipped by Dustin Stephens. 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. Nearby, Happy Top Walking Trial is about 2.9 miles away and Lago Linda Hideaway campground is about 3.5 miles away.

Routes (5)

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

South ParkPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Park

~3 min drive

South Park in Kentucky has 19 sport climbing routes with 15 difficulty grades.

Hole New WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Hole New Wall

~3 min drive

Hole New Wall in Kentucky has 9 sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

B-Hole WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

B-Hole Wall

~3 min drive

B-Hole Wall in Kentucky has 9 climbing routes across 8 grades, offering sport and trad options.

The UnlodePhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Unlode

~3 min drive

Unlode, The in Kentucky has 10 sport climbing routes across 5 grades.

A-Hole WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

A-Hole Wall

~3 min drive

A-Hole Wall in Kentucky has 9 sport climbing routes across 6 grades.

The UnHoley WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The UnHoley Wall

~3 min drive

10 sport climbing routes at UnHoley Wall in Kentucky, ranging across 9 difficulty grades.

The Bear's DenPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Bear's Den

~3 min drive

Bear's Den, The in Kentucky has 36 climbing routes on 17 difficulty grades.

(1) Buckeye ButtressPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(1) Buckeye Buttress

~3 min drive

Buckeye Buttress in Kentucky has 14 climbing routes across 9 grades.

Velo CragPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Velo Crag

~3 min drive

Velo Crag in Kentucky has 31 climbing routes with 18 difficulty grades.

The GetawayPhoto: MarkDoliner, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

The Getaway

~3 min drive

Getaway, Kentucky climbing area with 10 routes, 6 grades, sport and trad.