Kentucky · Rock climbing · Pine Ridge

Princess Arch

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

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

7 routes

5.1 – 5.10d

Trad · Mixed

Is Princess Arch open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name Princess Arch, 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, 4:15 pm EDT · Source: USFS · Daniel Boone National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Princess Arch

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

Princess Arch 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 close to several trails, making it an easy addition to a longer outing on foot. The climbing here is a mix of traditional and mixed routes, with seven routes in total. The grades run from 5.1 to 5.10d, so there is something for climbers of all levels. Among the named routes are Beginner's Nightmare at 5.1 and Adrenaline at 5.10d, with Golden Fleece at 5.6 and Ripp-Off at 5.7. For timing, fall is the most comfortable season. 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. The Princess Arch Trail #233 starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Sheltowee Trace NRT #100 is 0.2 mile off. Tower Rock and Staircase Wall, both climbing areas, are about 1.3 miles away.