Montana · Rock climbing · Bozeman · Near Emigrant

Practice Rock

25 routes
5.6 – 5.12c
Trad · Mixed · Sport
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Practice Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Bozeman Ranger District. It doesn't name Practice Rock, so check the source for the area it covers (16 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Bozeman Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Practice Rock is a climbing area in the Bozeman Ranger District of Custer Gallatin National Forest in Montana, managed by the Forest Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing and camping spots, with Raspberry Boulder just 0.2 miles away and Crocodile Rock about a mile off. The area has 25 routes, mostly trad with a few mixed and sport options. Grades run from 5.6 up to 5.12c, with Last of the Wild Ones at 5.12c and Jerry's Variation at 5.7+ among the named climbs. The hardest route, Last of the Wild Ones, was first climbed by Kristen Drumheller and Bill Dockins in July 1987. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bozeman show July highs around 82°F with lows near 52°F, and the station sits about 1,100 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. Nearby, Fr 3159 The End Of Moser Road 6212 167 campground is 0.9 miles away, and Moser Highlands Road offers mountain biking about a mile off. Lower Hyalite campground is also about a mile away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Fr 3159 End Of Spur From 6212 168

    Campground

    Campground · 0.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Blacksmith Italian

    Restaurant

    Open after 6

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Emigrant
  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Practice Rock

    Best months: July–September. 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

      34° / 15°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      10 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      46° / 24°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    5. May

      63° / 39°

      15 wet · 2 snow

    6. Jun

      72° / 46°

      15 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 52°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 50°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 42°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    10. Oct

      57° / 32°

      10 wet · 3 snow

    11. Nov

      42° / 22°

      10 wet · 7 snow

    12. Dec

      33° / 14°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bozeman Montana State Univ, MT, 7.4 mi away at 4,913 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (25)

Roy's Variation5.10aSilent RockFA: Robert Mueller, Tom Kalakay Summer 19905.10aBird WomanFA: Tate Dunkel5.10bCardiac BypassFA: Donny Black, Mike Clark 19975.10bTheoreticallyFA: Pat Callis, Jerry Kanzler, October 19685.10cLast of the Wild Ones Variation5.11aTangentiallyFA: Unknown- If known please message so info can be updated5.11a/bTough Trip Through ParadiseFA: FA: Jerry Kanzler, 1968 FFA:Bill Dockins 19825.11b/cSwenson's TheoradicalFA: Tom Kalakay & Chuck Swenson, June 19885.12a/bCardiac AreteFA: Alex Lowe5.12cLast of the Wild OnesFA: Kristen Drumheller & Bill Dockins, July 19875.12c5.6 Crack5.6Beginners Lead5.6Pinnacle Standard5.6Strawberry Crack5.7Wide Crack5.7Jerry's VariationFA: Jerry Kanzler, 19685.7+Pinnacle Dihedral5.8The Fiver5.8The Spiral5.8Jerry's RouteFA: Jerry Kanzler, 19685.8+BabiesFA: FRA: Clark Alexis, Fall 19895.9Rosebush CrackFA: FFA: Pat Callis, Brian Leo 19705.9Slanting DihedralFA: Pat Callis, Bill St. Lawrence, Early 1970's5.9Wizards WellFA: FA: Pat Callis, Brian Leo FFA: Kim Keating 19825.9+