Updated August 3, 2022
While the Twin Cities isn’t known for its many mountains, there are still plenty of places you can go rock climbing in Minneapolis. The St Paul and Minneapolis area is home to a variety of great rock climbing gyms so you’ll be all set for a day full of adventures. And the best part about rock climbing indoors is that it’s a fun way to stay active in the winter, so you don’t have to venture out into the Minnesotan cold.
Whether you’re a beginner climber or you’re looking to hone your skills, the Twin Cities has a gym that fits your needs. From bouldering, to top rope and auto belay, this guide to the best rock climbing in Minneapolis has you covered!
Best Gyms for Rock Climbing in Minneapolis
Vertical Endeavors
- Locations: 855 Phalen Blvd St Paul, MN 55106; 2540 Nicollet Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55404; 9601 James Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55431
- Types of climbing: Top Rope, Auto Belay, Bouldering, Sport Lead
Vertical Endeavors is the most dominant (and our favorite!) rock climbing gym in the Twin Cities. With locations in Bloomington, Minneapolis, and St Paul, you’ll never have to venture too far to go climbing. Thanks to the numerous types of climbing and walls up to 58 feet, you’ll never get bored at Vertical Endeavors. You can also rent essential rock climbing gear here, so don’t worry if you don’t own any equipment.
Bloomington is the biggest location and St Paul is the smallest, so you can pick which type of gym you want. The St Paul gym might be a good fit for beginners that want shorter walls and fewer people. Those looking for more variety and challenges will love the Bloomington location.
Vertical Endeavors – Twin Cities Bouldering
- Location: 2550 Wabash Ave, St Paul, MN 55114
- Types of climbing: Bouldering
The Vertical Endeavors – Twin Cities Bouldering location combines three of our favorite things – bouldering, fitness, and yoga. Bouldering is a specific type of climbing that has short, unroped, and technical walls. With 18,000 square feet of bouldering area, you’ll have plenty of ways to challenge yourself. It’s great for those of all ability levels, and youth are welcomed under supervision. Lessons are also available for dedicated climbers who want to learn new techniques and possibilities with climbing.
The complete fitness and yoga studios are an awesome addition, and you can substitute your old gym membership for this Vertical Endeavors location. These classes are aimed at increasing your base fitness level and improving your strength, endurance, and mobility for climbing. This truly is one of the best bouldering gyms in the Twin Cities, and you won’t regret trying it out!
Minneapolis Bouldering Project
- Location: 1433 West River Rd N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
- Types of climbing: Bouldering
This awesome bouldering gym in Minneapolis comes complete with all of the things. Not only does it have a bouldering gym, but it also has a yoga and fitness studio, weight room, co-working space, and saunas. You’ll never have to leave! Another cool aspect is that the Minneapolis Bouldering Project has color-coded circuits based on difficulty, so you can choose a route that fits your ability level.
They offer plenty of pricing options, including day passes, 10-punch card day passes, or monthly/annual memberships, so however often you want to go, there is an option for you. There are also classes available if you want more guidance and instruction.
Minnesota Climbing Cooperative
- Location: 1620 Central Ave NE #178, Minneapolis, MN 55413
- Types of climbing: Bouldering
If you want to join and support a community-owned business that helps sustain the local climbing scene, then check out Minnesota Climbing Cooperative. This gym is the only bouldering co-op in the Twin Cities, and awesome volunteers are willing to run it so that they have a gym they can call home.
If you’re interested in joining, you can visit during open hours on Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm or Mondays from 5:30-9:30 pm. Day passes cost only $12, so it is a great way to climb affordably. You can also become a member for a one time fee of $20. Once you’re a member, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase an access pass, which gives you access to the space 24/7.
The “A”
- Location: 575 SE 9th St #60, Minneapolis, MN 55414
- Types of Climbing: Bouldering (spray wall)
The “A” is a unique place to go rock climbing in Minneapolis, as it is a private facility reserved exclusively for members. The best and most dedicated climbers in the Twin Cities created the “A” so they could have a home whenever they needed it. Because it is a members-only gym, there is a strong sense of community here and you’re sure to make plenty of climbing friends quickly!
It is a relatively small gym at 30 ft wide and 13 ft tall, and it consists of a single spray wall for climbing. A spray wall is a bouldering wall that is full of holds, and it caters towards more intense training. If you’re looking for a tight-knit community and a place where you’ll be surrounded by other passionate and dedicated climbers, then this gym is worth looking into!
Recreation and Wellness Center Climbing Gym
The Recreation and Wellness Center is part of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus, and aside from being a regular fitness gym, there’s also a climbing area inside. The RecWell in Minneapolis has a 33 foot tall climbing wall with more than 3,200 square feet of climbing surface, and 1,000 square feet of bouldering walls. You can also boulder on the 25 foot tall wall at the St Paul Gym.
You don’t have to be a student to access either of these climbing gyms, but you’ll probably find a lot of college-aged kids at them. There are many different affordable payment options, from daily passes to semester memberships, so you can choose whatever you want based on your needs. These gyms are perfect if you want a simple and affordable rock climbing gym in the Twin Cities!
