New York · Rock climbing · Little Rock City

Rock City State Forest

Rock City State ForestPhoto: andyarthur, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
15 routes
V1 – V6
Bouldering
Aug–Sep
best months

Rock City State Forest is a bouldering area in New York, managed by the State Department of Conservation. It sits within its own state forest unit, and the climbing here is all on boulders rather than on rock faces. The forest holds 15 bouldering routes, with grades ranging from V1 to V6 on the V scale. Most of the routes are V1, and one, Flexus Dyrexus, is V6. The boulders are the main draw, and the area is best suited to climbers who enjoy working on small, close-up problems. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Little Valley run to highs around 79°F in July, with lows near 55°F. That station sits about 600 feet lower than the forest, so temperatures on the boulders run a little cooler. Several other outdoor spots lie within a short drive. The Pat McGee Trail is about 3.4 miles away, and the Finger Lakes Trail (Allegany Region) is about 4.1 miles off. Paddlers can head to Little Valley Creek, about 4.2 miles away, and Snowsnake Run, a cross-country ski area, is about 5.7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Rock City State Forest

    Best months: August–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

      31° / 13°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 13°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 19°

      15 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 31°

      14 wet

    5. May

      67° / 42°

      14 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 51°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 55°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 54°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      71° / 47°

      12 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 37°

      15 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 29°

      16 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 21°

      20 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Little Valley, NY, 6 mi away at 1,625 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (15)