North Carolina · Rock climbing · Blowing Rock

Little Wilson

Little Wilson in North Carolina has 19 climbing routes across 14 grades, offering sport and trad options.

19 routes
5.8 – 5.12c
Sport · Trad

Is Little Wilson open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Little Wilson, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Little Wilson

Best months: April and September–October. 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

    40° / 22°

    14 wet

  2. Feb

    43° / 24°

    12 wet

  3. Mar

    50° / 30°

    13 wet

  4. Apr

    60° / 39°

    12 wet

  5. May

    68° / 47°

    14 wet

  6. Jun

    74° / 55°

    14 wet

  7. Jul

    77° / 59°

    15 wet

  8. Aug

    76° / 57°

    14 wet

  9. Sep

    71° / 52°

    11 wet

  10. Oct

    62° / 40°

    10 wet

  11. Nov

    52° / 31°

    10 wet

  12. Dec

    44° / 26°

    13 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Banner Elk, NC, 6.8 mi away at 3,770 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Little Wilson is a climbing area in the Grandfather Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within the district's network of climbing spots, and the closest town is Banner Elk, about 7 miles away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Banner Elk weather station show July highs around 77°F with lows near 59°F, while winter highs stay in the low 40s. Several other climbing areas and trails lie close by. Sunken Treasure is about 0.6 miles away, and the Tanawha Trail and Upper Tier are each about 0.8 miles off. For an overnight stay, Julian Price Memorial Park Campground is roughly 4.6 miles away.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Sunken TreasurePhoto: pmuellr, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Sunken Treasure

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Hawksbill Mtn

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Main Wall

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Lower Hawksbill

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Middle HawksbillPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Middle Hawksbill

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