Kentucky · Rock climbing · Campton

The Old Zoo

The Old Zoo in Kentucky has 22 climbing routes with 13 difficulty grades.

22 routes
5.9- – 5.14d
Sport · Trad

Is The Old Zoo open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Daniel Boone National Forest. It doesn't name The Old 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 Old 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, 7.5 mi away at 1,080 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

The Old Zoo is a climbing area in Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, within the Cumberland Ranger District. It sits among several other climbing spots, including The New Zoo, Bird Cage Sector and Graining Fork Nature Preserve (a.k.a. Roadside Crag), all about 0.1 mile away. The area has 22 routes, mostly sport climbing with one trad route. Grades run from 5.9- up to 5.14d, with the hardest route, Zoolander, first climbed by Alex Megos in 2019. Other notable routes include Armadillo at 5.10d and Aviary at 5.12b. For timing, September is the most comfortable month, with typical highs around 79°F and lows near 57°F, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Beattyville. October is similar, with highs near 69°F. Hikers can reach the Upper Hood's Branch Trail and the Sand Gap Trail - Sheltowee Trace NRT #100, both within about 3 miles. Paddlers will find the Middle Fork Red River about 4 miles away.

Routes (22)

ChimpFA: John & Tina Bronaugh, 12/'925.10bOne Brick ShyFA: John Bronaugh & Stacy Temple, 12/925.10cArmadilloFA: John & Tina Bronaugh, 6/'985.10dJail BirdFA: John Bronaugh and Ryan Adams5.10dEdgehogFA: John Bronaugh, Alex Yeakley - 19985.11aMonkey in the MiddleFA: Stacy Temple, John Bronaugh - 19925.11aSkin The CatFA: John Bronaugh & Alex Yeakley, 19995.11aAnimal HusbandryFA: Dustin Stephens, Dan Beck 20145.11bCannonballFA: Stacy Temple, John Bronaugh, 19925.11bGeezers Go SportFA: John Bronaugh and Stacy Temple, 19925.11bOn Beyond Zebra!FA: John Bronaugh, Stacy Temple, 19935.11bLynx JinxFA: Jim Link, John Bronaugh, 19955.11cOpen project5.12+Eye of the LigerFA: Nick Kane, Ian Moffit, Mitch Commons - 20215.12aHippocriteFA: Eric Lowe5.12aScar TissueFA: Phil Nemes, 20025.12aAviaryFA: Doug Curth 20075.12bZoologyFA: Nick Kane, Sam Romano - 20215.12bZookeeperFA: Andrew Gearing - 20165.14a/bZoolanderFA: Alex Megos - 20195.14dLive ActionFA: Will Sweeney, 20135.9-Put Me In The ZooFA: John & Tina Bronaugh, 6/'985.9+