Rock Climbing in Toledo Ohio

Rock Climbing Sites in Toledo

Rock climbing involves both physical and mental fitness and is quickly gaining in popularity as more people fall in love with the benefits and challenges of this sport. Luckily, this means that it is becoming easier to find places that offer climbing opportunities- even in Toledo! If you are looking for a new activity that will help improve your fitness level, and mindset and has a warm and welcoming community, then rock climbing is for you. This guide will go over where you can go rock climbing in Toledo Ohio and the types of rock climbing each place offers.

Special thanks to Alexander at Climb Toledo for opening up his doors to us and answering all of our questions!

Need to give your muscles a break from climbing? Check out our post full of unique things to do while you are in Toledo for a fun new adventure!

Types of Rock Climbing

There are several different types of rock climbing, and Toledo now offers most of them. You can find places to go top rope or lead climbing as well as go bouldering. If you aren’t quite sure what the difference is, we’ll go over the different types of climbing in this section so you will have a better idea of what kind you might want to start with.

Bouldering

Most of the locations in the city have bouldering opportunities. Bouldering is basically rock climbing without the use of ropes and harnesses. It’s meant to be done on smaller rock formations where you don’t climb to heights high off the ground.

Bouldering is one of the most affordable types of rock climbing because you don’t need nearly as much equipment as the other types. Technically, if you are not in a gym, you can climb without any besides the shoes on your feet. However, normal tennis shoes will make it more difficult and there is a risk of injury if you fall. The recommended equipment to have when bouldering are crash pads, climbing shoes, and chalk. These items will improve your grip and help keep you safe.

Top Rope Climbing

Top rope climbing involves a more vertical climb and does require ropes, harnesses, and anchors as well as a second person. The second person is called a ‘belayer’ and remains on the ground during the climb. The climber is attached to a rope that travels up through an anchor system at the top of the climb and down to the belayer on the ground for safety.

Currently, Toledo has 3 different locations that offer top rope climbing; Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve, University of Toledo, and Adventus Climbing. At Adventus you can choose to top rope climb with a second person, or hook up to an auto-belay if you don’t have a climbing partner.

Lead Climbing

Adventus Climbing is the only place in Toledo that offers lead climbing. Lead climbing is considered to be a more advanced type of climbing style. With top rope, your anchor system is located at the top of your climb and you are always connected to it. With lead climbing, you are setting the rope and clipping it into your quick draws (the anchor you clip to and use as your protection) AS you climb.

During lead climbing, your belayer is also doing the climb with you instead of remaining on the ground. This type of climbing does require additional safety certifications because it is more dangerous.

This type of climbing is more risky because you have a greater potential for bigger falls because the protection is typically below you instead of above like with top climbing. You will also need more equipment (your quick draws) than you would if you were top climbing.

We’ve been to several parks that offer rock climbing opportunities during our travels. Here are our guides if you want to check them out if you want more options outdoors outside of Ohio:

• Seneca Rocks– West Virginia
• Carter Caves State Park– Kentucky
• Red River Gorge– Kentucky

Benefits of Rock Climbing

I never thought of rock climbing as anything more than a sport that gives a great upper-body workout but after doing a few climbs and talking to other climbers, I realized that it’s so much more. This activity will work out your mind, body, and communication skills and is a great way to make new friends.

Rock climbing actually works muscles throughout your entire body- not just your arms. These muscles all need to work together as you hold on to the wall and throughout your climb which is what gives you a true full-body workout.

While climbing, it’s important to be present and focused on the task at hand in addition to believing in yourself. If you don’t believe you can succeed at a climb, you probably won’t. The type of focus needed to be successful is similar to meditation and some climbers use it to relax and destress.

At the same time, this sport requires a lot of problem-solving as you navigate your way throughout the course and complete your climb. This means it provides a great opportunity to work on mindset because you need to be solution-orientated as you face each challenge.

This sport is also known for its great sense of community and can be an awesome way to get to know new people and develop some great friendships. Climbers consider themselves to be a friendly and inclusive group of people who enjoy cheering each other on during climbs.

Tip: If you are looking for the best places to meet new people, consider going to a smaller rock-climbing gym. The larger gyms can be slightly more impersonal due to the size and schedule.

Climbers will also help each other out by offering suggestions on body placement and possible hand/foot holds. Communication is key with this sport and is another skill that you will have plenty of opportunity to practice.

Where Can I Rock Climb in Toledo?

There are several indoor and outdoor sites where you can rock-climb in the Toledo area depending on the time of year you wish to go. You will also find bouldering plus both top and lead climbing opportunities in the area so you can stay in shape for any upcoming climbing trips you may have!

Outdoor Rock Climbing locations in Toledo

You might be surprised to hear that there are several outdoor rock climbing opportunities in Toledo thanks to their thriving park systems. Grab a friend and check each individual website for the most updated information on climbing conditions.

While you are driving around the city, don’t forget to take a look at our guide full of fun and affordable summer activities here.

Blue Creek Metropark

Blue Creek Metropark has a natural rock wall where they allow bouldering. It is recommended that you bring crash pads to limit the chance of injury if you fall as you climb. It’s in an area that gets really muddy if it rains so be sure to check the recent weather before you head out!

Wildwood Metropark

Wildwood Metropark has a small manmade bouldering structure that is perfect for beginners who want to try this sport out.  You can find it near the outdoor workout equipment.

Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve

Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve in Perrysburg has both bouldering and top rope climbing opportunities, though you will need to provide your own gear. You must be at least 18 to climb and 16 to boulder at this site. There are two locations for top rope climbing (North Wall and South Wall) and one area for bouldering. If you plan on climbing or rappelling you are required to self-register onsite and you have to use the anchors that are already in place.

In addition to the outdoor bouldering area, there is also a small artificial bouldering wall inside the visitor center if you want to try it out indoors first.

Portable Rock-Climbing Simulator

The Metroparks system recently purchased a 32-foot-high portable rock-climbing simulator for their FitPark initiative. This is another free climbing option, however, it is not always available and it does move locations. Be sure to check Metroparks’s website and events to see when and where it will be open to the public.

You are also now able to rent the rock-climbing simulator for private events. Rental costs will vary depending on whether you want it for a private or corporate event versus a community or non-profit event.

Indoor Rock Climbing locations in Toledo

There are three different indoor locations where you can go rock climbing no matter what the weather may be like outdoors. One is on a college campus and the other two are stand-alone climbing gyms in the city.

University of Toledo

The University of Toledo has a rock-climbing gym on campus that is open to the public and offers both bouldering and top climbing. Bouldering is allowed whenever the gym is open and just requires climbers to wear clean tennis shoes (or climbing shoes) while on the wall.

Top rope climbing requires that both climbers involved complete one of the University’s climb clinics and that they both have a UT climb card. If you wish to climb at UT, I highly recommend calling to get the updated hours and fees before you go as the website is not always up to date.

Adventus Climbing

Located near Wildwood Metropark, Adventus Climbing is Toledo’s first full-service climbing gym. They offer several climbing classes and they have structures built for top rope, lead climbing, and bouldering.

Adventus is open Mondays to Fridays from 3 pm – 10 pm, Saturdays from 9 am – 6 pm, and Sundays from 11 am- 6 pm. This gym offers memberships as well as 1 and 10-day passes though equipment rentals are not included. Shoe rentals are $5, harness rental is $4, and chalk bags are $2.

If you are new to climbing, they currently have two classes available: Learn to Climb and Learn the Ropes. Learn to Climb costs $20 for members and $30 for non-members. This 1-hour class will teach you the basics of climbing. Learn the Ropes is currently free for members and $50 for non-members. This 90-minute course will teach you how to top rope belay and includes an extra day pass for you to come back and practice within 2 weeks of the class.

All visitors will have to do the facility orientation during their first visit and sign the liability waiver before they can start climbing. After the 15-minute orientation, you are able to use the bouldering area or climb in the auto-belay section. There are six auto-belays that allow you to clip in without the need for a 2nd person.

In order to climb in the top rope area, you will either need to take the Learn the Ropes Course or test out. You would also need to take a class or test out for the Lead Climbing area as well.

Adventus is also able to book private groups/parties if you are looking for a unique and active event. Be sure to check out their website for details if something like this interests you.

Climb Toledo

Climb Toledo is a bouldering gym that is perfect for those looking to explore rock climbing or break into the climbing community. The owner, Alexander, opened this gym with the help of some great friends to bring his passion for rock climbing to the city of Toledo.

Climb Toledo will be closing its doors to the public starting Nov. 4th, 2023. Keep an eye out on their Facebook and Instagram pages for announcements for pop-ups and outdoor climbing trips.

This is a smaller gym so you will need to reserve your spot in advance to make sure there is enough space for everyone to climb safely. The fee is $10 for a two-hour time slot and you will need climbing shoes to use the gym. If you don’t have your own, you can rent a pair for just $2. They also offer a great rate on chalk or shoes that are perfect for those just starting out.

If you find that you have fallen in love with this sport, Climb Toledo does offer memberships in 1- and 3-month increments. They are open from 6 pm-10 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and from 12-4 pm on Saturdays. As the gym continues to grow, look for extended hours to appear on its website.

You can find the gym in a more residential neighborhood, housed in what used to be a barbershop on the first floor. The entrance to the gym is the door on the left. Parking is located on the street in front of and to the side of the building. You can also park next to the small grassy area across the street. They do ask that you don’t park in front of the neighboring houses so as not to upset the neighbors.

The first time you reserve a spot you will have to sign their liability waiver and watch a safety video. Staff on duty will also go over the gym rules with you and answer any questions you may have before you get started. Any time after that, you will just need to check in at the front desk.

Once inside the building, you will be able to see the climbing walls and all the crash pads on the floors to keep you safe. On the walls are different climbing routes pre-marked with different colored tape.

At the beginning of each route is a card that states the name of the course and the difficulty level. New climbing trails are constantly being added or adjusted or you can even make up your own. Don’t be shy! Staff members are more than happy to answer any questions you may have and recommend the best trails to get you started.

Past the climbing walls is the backroom where you will find access to a bathroom and lockers where you can store your things during your session. There are also benches and free water for those looking to take a break from climbing.

Alexander believes in the positive changes rock climbing can have in people’s lives as he has experienced it firsthand. He is passionate about the benefits this sport offers and is enthusiastic about sharing it with others. To do this Climb Toledo partners with several local organizations and businesses to introduce the sport to different groups of people. 

It is also important to Alexander that his gym fosters the positive climbing community that this sport often brags about. This makes Climb Toledo a fantastic place to not only learn the basics of rock climbing but also encourage new friendships.

Tips for Beginner Rock Climbers from Climb Toledo:

• Do Active Movement as a Warm-up
• Remember to rest between climbing sets
• Wear clothes that you can easily move in
• When you first start out you most likely will only be able to climb for a couple of hours until your body gets used to it.

Try Rock Climbing in Toledo Ohio!

Rock climbing is a fun and challenging sport that is growing in popularity all over. If you live around or are traveling to Toledo, you will have several options to get your climbs in. Try it for free at one of the local parks or at one of the climbing gyms in the city. There are plenty of places that are perfect for beginners and for those looking to increase their climbing skills all over Northwest Ohio. Who wouldn’t love an opportunity to get a total body workout while having fun and meeting people just as cool as you are?

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