Catoctin Mountain Park rock climbing map (click to enlarge)

Rock climbing and bouldering are allowed at specific locations within Catoctin Mountain Park. Referencing the map above, the green boxes are locations where bouldering is permitted and the purple boxes where roped climbing is permitted. Areas marked with red boxes are closed to climbing of all types.

The following rules and regulations are from the National Park Service’s Rock Climbing web page for Catoctin Mountain Park:

• Roped climbing is permitted only at Wolf Rock.
• The use of permanently fixed equipment is not permitted.
• Climbing activities are only allowed during daylight hours.
• Activities should only be conducted with the proper equipment and when conditions are safe.
• Equipment should not impede travel on established trails or damage natural features. Place equipment that is not in use on durable surfaces when possible.
• Vegetation should not be removed to “clean” or improve a route.
• Commercial use and/or use by guiding services requires commercial use authorization.
• Stay on designated trails whenever possible.
• Park in designated areas only.
• Practice Leave No Trace principles.

ROCK CLIMBING

Roped climbing is allowed only at Wolf Rock. The following activities are prohibited:

• The placement of bolts, pitons, or any fixed or permanent anchors.
• Chipping, gluing, or drilling.
• Leaving climbing equipment or ropes unattended.
• Using non-climbing specific hardware (i.e. concrete anchors, home-made equipment).

Trees as Anchors:

• Anchoring on trees is permitted at Wolf Rock if the equipment does not cause physical damage to trees or plants.
• Equipment must keep bark, lichen, and branches intact and unharmed.

BOULDERING

Bouldering is allowed at most rock outcroppings throughout the park.

• Prevent damage to natural vegetation by placing crash pad in a location that does not require removal of, or cause damage to, native plant life.
• Make sure your equipment does not obstruct trails.
• Place equipment that is not in use on durable surfaces where possible.
• Remove chalk and tick marks when you are done or use natural colored chalk.

For information about hiking to Wolf Rock, Hog Rock, Chimney Rock, and other rock climbing destinations, see the Hiking Trails web page here on National Park Planner.

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