Kentucky · Rock climbing · Campton

The New Zoo

The New Zoo in Kentucky has 10 sport climbing routes across 7 grades.

10 routes
5.11a – 5.13b
Sport

Is The New Zoo open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

The New Zoo is a sport climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the climbing sits among several other crags in the area, including The Old Zoo and Bird Cage Sector, each about 0.1 mile away. The routes here are all sport climbs, and they range from 5.11a to 5.13b. The median grade is 5.12a. Among the named routes are Barrel Full of Monkeys (5.11a), Sendex 147 (5.12a) and Speedy Gonzalez (5.13b), the hardest of the bunch. 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 Graining Fork Nature Preserve, also known as Roadside Crag, is about 0.2 mile away. Upper Hood's Branch Trail and Sand Gap Trail - Sheltowee Trace NRT #100 are both about 2.8 miles off. Paddlers can reach the Middle Fork Red River, roughly 4 miles away.

Routes (10)