North Carolina · Rock climbing · Pisgah Forest

Ship Rock

Ship Rock in North Carolina has 2 trad climbing routes.

2 routes
5.8 – 5.10d
Trad

Is Ship Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Ship Rock, 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 Ship Rock

Best months: March–April and September–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

    49° / 26°

    11 wet

  2. Feb

    53° / 28°

    10 wet

  3. Mar

    60° / 34°

    12 wet

  4. Apr

    69° / 41°

    12 wet

  5. May

    75° / 50°

    13 wet

  6. Jun

    81° / 58°

    15 wet

  7. Jul

    84° / 62°

    16 wet

  8. Aug

    83° / 61°

    16 wet

  9. Sep

    78° / 55°

    12 wet

  10. Oct

    70° / 43°

    10 wet

  11. Nov

    61° / 33°

    9 wet

  12. Dec

    52° / 28°

    11 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Pisgah Forest 3 Ne, NC, 3 mi away at 2,190 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Ship Rock is a climbing area in the Pisgah Ranger District of the National Forests in North Carolina, about 1.3 miles from Yuto's Trail and 1.4 miles from Ashton's Trail. The area holds two traditional climbing routes, Jam Scam at 5.8 and Stretch or Sketch at 5.10d, both rated for trad climbers. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 69°F in April to 70°F in October, with July the warmest month at about 84°F. Winter highs sit in the upper 40s. Other nearby spots include the Davidson River for fishing, about 3.3 miles away, and Sycamore Flats Picnic Shelter for camping, about 3.5 miles away. East Slate Rock, a climbing area about 6.2 miles off, and Hidden Wall, about 6.9 miles away, offer more rock.

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

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