Kentucky · Rock climbing · Zoe

The Nursery

Nursery is a Kentucky climbing crag with 15 routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

15 routes
5.5 – 5.12c
Sport · Trad

Is Nursery, The open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

The Nursery is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, including Sanitarium and Playpen, both about 0.1 mile away, and Portal, about 0.2 mile off. September and October tend to be the most comfortable months to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show September highs around 79°F with lows near 57°F, and October highs around 69°F with lows near 44°F. For a longer outing, the Sheltowee Trace high water route lies about 4.5 miles away, and the Happy Top Walking Trial is about 5.5 miles off. Lago Linda Hideaway, a campground, is about 5.8 miles away, and the Middle Fork Red River offers paddling about 9.5 miles from the Nursery.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

North 40Photo: MarkDoliner, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

North 40

~3 min drive

North 40 in Kentucky has 6 routes across 5 grades, offering sport and trad climbing.

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.

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

The Shire

~3 min drive

Shire is a Kentucky climbing crag with 13 routes across 12 grades, offering bouldering pads, sport, and trad.

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.

(3) GMC WallPhoto: Jarek Tuszyński (user:Jarekt), CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

(3) GMC Wall

~3 min drive

(3) GMC Wall is a climbing area in Kentucky with 8 routes.

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

Courtesy Wall

~3 min drive

6 sport climbing routes at Courtesy Wall in Kentucky.

(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.

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

Purgatory

~3 min drive

Purgatory in Kentucky has 14 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.

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.