Bouldering gyms are popping up all over the U.S., offering climbers a chance to improve their skills indoors on world-class walls. These gyms are perfect for beginners looking to learn the basics or seasoned climbers training for outdoor routes. Whether you're traveling or looking for a local spot, here are some of the best bouldering gyms in the U.S. that you need to check out.
1. The Cliffs at LIC (Long Island City, NY)
The Cliffs at LIC is one of the top climbing gyms in New York City, offering a massive bouldering area along with roped climbing. The walls are constantly updated with fresh problems, ensuring that there’s always something new to climb. The gym also offers classes for all skill levels, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced climbers.
2. Touchstone Climbing Gyms (California)
With locations throughout California, Touchstone Climbing Gyms are known for their innovative walls and wide variety of routes. Popular locations like Mission Cliffs (San Francisco) and LA Boulders (Los Angeles) offer huge bouldering areas with challenging problems and plenty of training tools like hangboards and campus boards.
3. Movement Climbing + Fitness (Multiple Locations)
Movement Climbing + Fitness has facilities across the U.S., including top climbing cities like Denver, San Francisco, and Portland. Their bouldering gyms are large, well-designed, and offer routes for all levels. With regular competitions, coaching, and group classes, Movement is a great place for those looking to improve their skills in a dynamic environment.
4. Stone Gardens (Seattle, WA)
Stone Gardens in Seattle is a local favorite known for its friendly vibe and expertly set bouldering problems. The gym offers routes for climbers of all abilities, with a focus on fun, challenging problems that keep you coming back for more. It’s also an excellent spot for beginners, with on-site instruction and training programs.
5. Earth Treks (Multiple Locations)
Earth Treks is a popular gym chain with locations in Colorado, Maryland, and Virginia. Their bouldering walls are huge, offering a mix of problems for all skill levels. Earth Treks also features modern fitness areas and yoga classes to help climbers cross-train and stay in peak condition.
6. The Spot Bouldering Gym (Boulder, CO)
Located in the climbing mecca of Boulder, Colorado, The Spot is dedicated entirely to bouldering. Known for its creative route-setting and frequent competitions, this gym is a hotspot for climbers looking to push their limits. With varied wall designs and plenty of challenging problems, The Spot is a must-visit.
7. Climb Nashville (Nashville, TN)
For climbers in the Southeast, Climb Nashville is one of the best bouldering gyms around. The gym features a large bouldering area with problems that range from beginner to advanced. The routes are updated frequently, and the gym offers a variety of fitness classes to complement your climbing workouts.
8. Brooklyn Boulders (Brooklyn, NY and Other Locations)
Brooklyn Boulders is more than just a gym—it’s a community hub for climbers and adventurers alike. The spacious bouldering walls feature innovative route-setting, and the gym hosts events that bring climbers together. With locations in New York, Chicago, and Boston, Brooklyn Boulders is the perfect spot for city-dwelling climbers.
9. Vertical World (Seattle, WA)
Vertical World claims to be America’s first climbing gym, and it remains one of the best. The Seattle location offers a fantastic bouldering area, with problems that challenge both beginners and experts. The gym also offers personal coaching and workshops to help climbers improve their skills.
10. Momentum Indoor Climbing (Salt Lake City, UT)
Momentum Climbing is known for its excellent bouldering walls and top-notch facilities. With locations across the Salt Lake City area, Momentum is a favorite among climbers in Utah. Their gyms feature unique wall designs, and their routes are regularly refreshed, ensuring that there’s always something new to try.
These bouldering gyms provide incredible climbing experiences for all skill levels, whether you’re training for outdoor climbs or just enjoying indoor bouldering. If you’re looking to improve your skills at home, check out our climbing hold collections and wall design instructions to bring the gym experience to your own space.