North Carolina · Rock climbing · Morganton

Table Rock

Table Rock in North Carolina has 63 climbing routes on mixed, sport, and trad.

Table RockPhoto: LetTheCardsFall, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
63 routes
5.4 – 5.12b
Trad · Mixed · Sport

Is Table Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Best months: March–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

    45° / 24°

  2. Feb

    47° / 26°

  3. Mar

    55° / 32°

  4. Apr

    64° / 39°

  5. May

    71° / 48°

  6. Jun

    78° / 57°

  7. Jul

    81° / 60°

  8. Aug

    80° / 59°

  9. Sep

    74° / 53°

  10. Oct

    65° / 42°

  11. Nov

    56° / 31°

  12. Dec

    48° / 27°

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Spruce Pine 2 Ne, NC, 7.2 mi away at 2,850 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

Table Rock is a climbing area in North Carolina's Grandfather Ranger District, part of the National Forests in North Carolina, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within a cluster of climbing and hiking spots, with Conley Cove, Henson Creek Canyon, Table Rock Summit and the Shortoff hike all about 0.1 mile away. The area has 63 routes, with most done on traditional gear. They range from 5.4 to 5.12, with the median around 5.10a. Sport climbing is less common, with five sport routes including Peterbuilt at 5.12. Mixed climbing is also an option, such as the Cool-down route at 5.11. The oldest route listed is Jim Dandy at 5.4, first climbed by Karl Rohnke and Jim Merritt in 1968. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs in the low 40s in January to about 81°F in July. That station sits roughly 670 feet below the rock, so temperatures at the climbing area run cooler. For time off the rock, the Linville River has fishing about 5 miles away, and Linville Falls Campground is about 6 miles off. Irish Creek offers canoeing a little farther, and the Linville River's Linville Falls access is also nearby.

Routes (63)

Crushed VelvetFA: Coz Teplitz, Corey Winstead (2007)5.10Devil's Lettuce5.10-Excess RealityFA: Peter Young, Jeep Barrett, 19845.10-Waste A BitFA: Ryan Beasley, Curt Koontz, John Meyers (2001)5.10+What's Up Doc?FA: Doc Klein, Ron Dawson, Jeep Barrett5.10+Fresh GarbageFA: Bob Rotert5.10aHorsefly5.10aJunior's Last LaughFA: Coz Teplitz, Meredith Rose, Marie Graven (2005)5.10aMourning MaidenFA: Brad Shaver, Diff Ritchie 19765.10aPeek-a-Boo DirectFA: Joe Coates (year unknown)5.10aWooly AphidFA: Mike Fishesser, Zachary Lesh-Huie (1999)5.10aJust Say MooFA: Mike Fischesser, Pete Luellen (1992)5.10a/bStukas over DisneylandFA: Ron Dawson, Gary Butler, 19965.10bEllie Raynolds Memorial ButtressFA: Mike Fischesser + partner (1991?)5.10b/cThe Trundler5.10cAlternate Reality5.10c/dAphid in My PantsFA: Mike Fischesser, Zachary Lesch-Huie 19995.10dICUFA: Ron Dawson, Mark Bishop5.10dIron Maiden5.10dCool-down route5.11Hobble and Gobble5.11Talking about Mudflaps, My Baby's Got 'EmFA: Jeff Burton, Lyle Dean 19905.11Hobbling HobbitFA: Nathan Brown, Wes Calkins5.11-RefrainFA: Brett Yost August 20025.11-Tankslapper5.11+Warm Up RouteFA: Lee Carter, Mike Grimm, Nathan Brown, Eddie Medina 20075.11aIndecent exposureFA: Nathan Brown, FFA with help from Eddie Medina and Lee Carter5.11cSideshow5.11cLateral Inhibition5.11c/dCenter Stage5.11dPeterbuiltFA: Peter Noebels, Jim Walker5.12Consolation Prize5.12aHeliosFA: Brady Robinson, Gary Butler 19965.12aIrish StoutFA: Paul Rothfeldt, Tim Snyder, Dan Caldwell FFA Dan Caldwell5.12bSolar PlexusFA: P-1: Tom Howard & Lee Carter, circa 1980s; Complete route with P-2: Mike Grimm, Nathan Brown, & Lee Carter5.12bJim DandyFA: Karl Rohnke, Jim Merritt - 19685.4Two PitchFA: Jim Anthony5.4Cave Route5.5Merrie-WoodeFA: FKA: Curtis Baird, Shannon Millsaps5.5North RidgeFA: Bob Gillespie, Bob Mitchell - 19705.5Peek-a-BooFA: Bob Mitchell, Bob Gillespie - 19705.5Helmet Buttress5.6K-Mart SpecialFA: Jim Gravely (date unknown)5.6My RouteFA: Karl Rohnke, R.D. McLean (1968)5.6Skip to My LouFA: Karl Rohnke5.6Blood, Sweat, and TearsFA: Jim Dailey (1973)5.7Champ's RouteFA: Roy Crawfore, Grey Amburgey - late 70s5.7Devil's Cellar Chimney5.7Emily’s RouteFA: Curtis Baird (ground up, rope solo)5.7Field's Direct5.7Hidden CrackFA: Mike Fischesser, Zachary Lesch-Huie - 19995.7Rip Van WinkleFA: Paul Cobb, Tom McMillan - 19725.7Wampus CatFA: Curtis Baird, Shannon Millsaps5.7Cornsnake CrackFA: Jacob Cioffoletti and Mike Fischesser 20095.7+CrackerjackFA: John Lawrence, Dave Mashburn (1967)5.8Helmet VariationFA: Tom Howard and partner5.8Lichen or NotFA: Shannon Millsaps, Curtis Baird5.8+The HoneymoonFA: Jim Toman, Zachary Lesch-Huie, Mike Fischesser - 19995.8+White LightningFA: Peter Young, John Lawrence, Peter Prandoni - 19725.8+Hanging HighFA: Guy Jacobson, Percy Wimberly. FFA: Brad Shaver, Mickey Craig - 19745.9Second StanzaFA: John Lawrence, Chuck Sproull - 1968. FFA: Bob Mitchell, Steve Longenecker, Roy Davis - 19705.9Slippin' into DarknessFA: Mickey Craig, Tom Howard, Jim Dailey - 19735.9Tall Climb to Be Good OnFA: Ron Dawson (1991?)5.9+

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Henson Creek CanyonPhoto: LetTheCardsFall, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Henson Creek Canyon

~0 min drive

Henson Creek Canyon in North Carolina has 5 mixed and trad climbing routes across 4 grades.

Conley CovePhoto: LetTheCardsFall, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Conley Cove

~0 min drive

Conley Cove in North Carolina has 7 climbing routes with 5 difficulty grades.

Linville Gorge BoulderingPhoto: chascow, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Linville Gorge Bouldering

~1 min drive

Linville Gorge Bouldering in North Carolina has 7 routes with 7 difficulty grades.

Linville River CragPhoto: chascow, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Linville River Crag

~2 min drive

Linville River Crag in North Carolina has 21 climbing routes.

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

Middle Hawksbill

~3 min drive

Middle Hawksbill in North Carolina has 29 climbing routes across 24 difficulty grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad climbing.

Main WallPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Main Wall

~3 min drive

Main Wall in North Carolina has 6 traditional climbing routes across 5 grades.

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

Lower Hawksbill

~3 min drive

Lower Hawksbill in North Carolina has 18 routes across 11 grades, offering mixed and traditional climbing.

Hawksbill MtnPhoto: npdoty, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Hawksbill Mtn

~3 min drive

North Carolina mountain crag with varied climbing on natural rock.

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

Sunken Treasure

~26 min drive

Sunken Treasure in North Carolina has 12 climbing routes with 9 difficulty grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

Wiseman's ViewPhoto: msprague, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Wiseman's View

~3 min drive

Wiseman's View in North Carolina has 6 routes with mixed and traditional climbing styles.