Top-Rope Rock Climbing at Devil's Lake
Memories for life! All types of beginners welcome. Zero experience required.
✅ Adults, children (ages 6+), families ✅ Groups of friends, clubs, corporate teams ✅ Scouts, schools, youth organizations ✅ Personal growth, bonding, adventure
Open Group Sessions Every Saturday ($145/person) - Reserve Your spot
The Best Rock Climbing in the Midwest
Devil’s Lake State Park is known for the best rock climbing in the Midwest with dozens of climbing routes rated for all levels of experience, from complete novice to advanced. Our amazing guides have been providing climbing trips, courses, and camps for children and adults since 2010. Come for the day or plan a weekend of climbing, camping, hiking & more!
WHAT IS TOP ROPE CLIMBING?
Top rope climbing leverages a rope that is securely anchored at the top of the route and connected to the climber’s harness. A trained belayer manages the rope from the ground, keeping it tight and controlling any falls or descents. Top rope climbing is one of the safest and most beginner-friendly ways to experience climbing, widely used outdoors and in climbing gyms.
WHO IS CAPABLE OF ROCK CLIMBING?
The biggest misconception about rock climbing is that you need to be strong and athletic. Rock climbing is a personal growth activity that is more mental than physical. The easier climbing routes at Devil’s Lake provide easy footing. We do trips with children ages 6+, active seniors, and all ages in between. You need to be able to hike 15-30 minutes up fairly steep grade to get to the climbing area.
We Offer Climbing Trips For…
Families with children ages 6+
Individuals, couples, and friends
Gym climbers learning outdoor climbing
Scouts, schools, and youth organizations
Corporate team-building events
Social clubs, women’s groups,
wellness communities
“I wanted to follow up with you about our climbing experience last Saturday. Simply amazing!! It really could not have been better. Although I did limited climbs, Lauren (daughter) did many and had the most fantastic time. At the top of the climbs I did do, the views were breathtaking. Our guides, Kevin and Sarah, were the best. Both made us feel relaxed, confident and accomplished. Their awesome personalities were the icing on the cake!!”
Climbing Trips for Families
Creating memories at Devil’s Lake
Devil’s Lake State Park is a favorite desination for families that want to try rock climbing and enjoy other recreational activities such as camping, paddling, hiking, fishing, and swimming. Rock climbing is a once-in-a-lifetime bonding experience for families that is empowering for children and adults, alike. Get ready to have some fun, learn something new, and impress yourselves!
Individuals, Couples, Friends
Trying new things is everything
Whether you’re flying solo, exploring with a partner, or hanging with friends, rock climbing is a meaningful activity that you will always remember. Besides the awesome thrill and adventure, rock climbing is known to benefit mental health and mood by challenging yourself, connecting to the rock and nature, and promoting mindfulness and resilience under pressure. Don’t put this on the bucket list. Join us this weekend!
Gym Climbers Learning Outdoors
Creating memories at Devil’s Lake
Gym climbers seeking to transition to outdoor climbing can choose to learn with friends, a club, or professional instructors such as Devils Lake Climbing Guides. Learning from a good professional instructor can speed up your learning and make you a better climber. Join us at an open group session or grab a couple friends and book a private trip!
Scouts, Schools & Youth Groups
This will be your trip of the year
We have extensive experience working with youth organizations from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Michigan. Rock climbing is an unforgettable, empowering experience for children. We regularly coordinate trips for scouts, climbing clubs, inner city youth organizations, and more. Contact us today to book your trip of the year!
TEAM-BUILDING CORPORATE EVENTS
Fun, empowering team-building experiences
Ready to book a team-building event your team will be excited about? Rock climbing challenges individuals while fostering trust, communication, and collaboration. As team members encourage each other up the rock and rely on one another for belaying, they naturally build connections and develop problem-solving skills under pressure.
EMPOWERING TRIPS FOR ANY GROUP
Climbing for growth, wellness & fun!
Rock climbing is a fun and inclusive activity for any group, from women’s clubs and social groups to senior organizations and wellness communities. It encourages participants to challenge themselves at their own pace while fostering connection, support, and shared accomplishment in a great nature setting. Give your group a thrill this season!
Book a Private Climbing Trip
Individuals or pairs may prefer joining open group.
Prepare for an Amazing Climbing Day!
Here’s everything you need to know.
We’ll meet you at Devil’s Lake, WI
The best climbing in the Midwest is right here at Devil’s Lake!
We start early on weekends to climb at great locations. Weekday start times are more flexible.
7 days/week
starting at 7:30am
Our climbing guides are fantastic folks
Ask around. We hire and train great climbers who are amazing humans and teachers.
We provide worthwhile trips with plenty of time to learn, have fun, and take breaks.
Standard trips are
7 hours
We provide all the gear including anchors, ropes, harnesses & helmets.
We provide all the necessary gear
You don’t need any climbing experience, not even indoor gym climbing.
Zero experience
is required
We’ll pick the right climbing difficulty and itinerary for your group’s abilities.
We customize the
trip for you
Good risk management is our top priority
We have been prioritizing safety in all our trips and camps for 15+ years.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING
Backpack
Water bottle (the park has water spigots)
Lunch and snacks
Athletic clothing and shoes
Camera or phone
Sunscreen
Credit card for park day pass
There will be public bathrooms at the trailhead where you’ll meet your guide.
CANCELLATION POLICY: We provide full refunds for weather cancellations.
See our cancellation policies for details.
A PREVIEW OF YOUR CLIMBING DAY
A full day of fun, adventure, and learning
• Meet at predetermined trailhead inside Devil’s Lake State Park
• 15-30 minute hike up the bluff (about 500 feet)
• Guide(s) set up anchors and ropes at a cliff location fitting your group's ability and goals
• Settle into basecamp at the base of the climbing area, 30-minute belay school with guide(s)
• Climbing, belaying, resting and learning for 4-5 hours
• Climbs last 15 - 60 minutes each, depending on height, difficulty and climber tenacity
• Hydrate, eat, take photos and bathroom breaks as desired
• Everyone learns how to belay, tie knots, and use climbing communications
• You’ll get a variety of routes to challenge you and everyone in your group at just the right level
• 15-30 minute hike back down the bluff. Final goodbyes at the trailhead. Ask your guide for recommendations for dinner, hiking, swimming or other activities at Devil’s Lake!
Why Choose Devil Lake Climbing Guides?
There are many great climbers, but it takes a special person to be a great climbing instructor. Our guides are wonderful humans that are passionate about teaching rock climbing as a vehicle to promote personal growth for all ages and abilities. Let us show you what rock climbing is really about!
Client Testimonials
Saturday Open Group Climbing Sessions
EVERY SATURDAY DURING CLIMBING SEASON$145/PERSON
April - SEPTEMBER: 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM (7 HOURS)
March, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER: 8 AM - 3 PM (7 HOURS)
Open group sessions are a great place to meet new people and potential climbing partners. No experience required. If we don’t meet our minimum enrollment of three climbers for your session, we will notify you of cancellation 48 hours beforehand.
What Questions Do YOu have?
Let us know how we can help you understand your options!
The more info you include about your group and logistical requirements,
the better we can answer your questions helpfully and thoroughly.
We do our best to answer inquiries within 24 hours.
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