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New York · Rock Climbing
Ticonderoga sits in the Adirondack foothills of northeastern New York, and while it's better known for its Revolutionary War fort, the area has a small but legitimate rock climbing scene worth knowing about.
6 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapRock Climbing · 6 spots
Ticonderoga sits in the Adirondack foothills of northeastern New York, and while it's better known for its Revolutionary War fort, the area has a small but legitimate rock climbing scene worth knowing about. Devil's Washdish is the anchor climbing area here, and the routes listed under it — Lichen Boobies, Wet Hot American Pumper, Rural Juror, North Country for Old Men, and Backcountry Brawl — give you a sense of what to expect: a crag with personality, a mix of route styles, and the kind of names that suggest the locals have a sense of humor. This isn't a destination crag on the scale of the Adirondacks' bigger walls, but for climbers already in the Lake Champlain corridor or passing through on a longer trip, it's a solid half-day stop. The six active listings cover a range that should accommodate climbers who aren't just warming up on slabs, though you'll want to research individual route grades before assuming it fits your level. Access and conditions at smaller Adirondack crags can shift with the seasons, so checking recent trip reports before you drive out is always worth the five minutes.
Devil's Washdish is the primary climbing area in the Ticonderoga scope, and it's where you'll find all six listed routes including Lichen Boobies, Rural Juror, and Backcountry Brawl. Look it up on Mountain Project or a regional guidebook to get current access notes and a full route list before heading out.
Late spring through early fall is generally the reliable window for climbing in this part of the Adirondacks. Spring can bring wet rock and muddy approaches, and some north-facing crags stay damp well into May. Fall tends to offer the best friction and cooler temps, but check for hunting season overlaps if you're hiking into backcountry areas in October and November.
North Country for Old Men
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Devil's Washdish
New York rock climbing area with varied routes for multiple skill levels.
Is the Bar Tender Here?
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Wet Hot American Pumper
A worthwhile stop near New York.
F: Lake George Region
~5 min drive
Upstate New York climbing near Lake George with varied routes and scenic access.
Isoptera
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Backcountry Brawl
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Gull Pond Cliff
~8 min drive
Natural rock climbing at Gull Pond Cliff in New York.
Terminally Determined
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Lichen Boobies
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Campground Wall
~12 min drive
Accessible New York crag with moderate climbing for developing climbers.
The Descent Route
~12 min drive
A worthwhile stop near New York.
Without confirmed route-specific beta on anchor types, bring a standard sport and trad rack to cover your bases at an unfamiliar crag. A 60-meter rope is a safe default. Approach shoes matter here — Adirondack crag approaches are often rooty and uneven, so don't count on trail runners being enough.
Much of the land in this region falls under New York State DEC jurisdiction, which generally allows climbing without a permit on state land. That said, access rules can be site-specific, so verify the land status for Devil's Washdish through the DEC or a local climbing coalition like the Adirondack Mountain Club before your visit.
The route names alone — Backcountry Brawl, Wet Hot American Pumper — don't suggest a crag built around beginner terrain, but route names aren't grades. Check the actual difficulty ratings for each climb on a site like Mountain Project before assuming the area works for newer climbers. If you're just starting out, going with someone who's been to Devil's Washdish before will save you a lot of guesswork on-site.
