What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area A half day of rock climbing (3-4 hours) All technical climbing gear What’s not included: Transportation Accommodations Food and snacks

How fit do I need to be?

If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

Rooster Rock State Park has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Your guide will customize the outing to suit your skill level and objectives. However, any previous climbing experience is preferable. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun! For intermediate to advanced climbers, Rooster Rock State Park has loads of routes to spend a few hours on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.

What about required equipment?

All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need: Helmet Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag Ropes Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.) First Aid kit Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag) Rock shoes Water bottle Food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Sunglasses Camera — optional Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. I t can get cold in Rooster Rock during the fall, so please come prepared for chilly temperatures.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: The maximum client-to-guide ratio is 2:1. Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private tours, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family! Climbing days in Rooster Rock can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has climbers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Rooster Rock State Park, most people fly into Portland International Airport (PDX) , just over 30 minutes away from the climbing site. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Safety measures in Oregon

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!

People Rock Climbing in Rooster Rock State Park

Springtime in the Columbia River Gorge at Rooster Rock State Park.

Rock Climbing in Rooster Rock State Park

A Man Rock Climbing in Rooster Rock State Park

Rooster Rock State Park | Oregon

Rock Climbing in Rooster Rock State Park

Season

Year-round, but usually closed in early summer for falcon nesting

Duration

Half-day

Difficulty

Guides

Mick Pearson, Kaf Adventures

Questions, additional dates, private groups

From $400 () / 1 day

Book now

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Nestled on the banks of the Columbia River just 22 miles east of Portland, Rooster Rock State park offers accessible routes and unique views for rock climbers of all levels. The most popular climbing site in the park is Rooster Rock, an enormous pillar of andesite and basalt that the park was named after. Seen as a scenic and beginner-friendly alpine-style rock climbing experience, the pinnacle rises approximately 200 feet above the river, offering a 4th class scramble with a low 5th class finish with unique unobstructed summit views over the surrounding forest and the Gorge. The route is not very technical and it offers fun exposure over the river — a must for any outdoor enthusiast exploring the Portland area!

Adventure highlights

Beginner-friendly climbing experience just 30 minutes away from Portland
Accessible routes and unobstructed views over the Gorge
Rises about 200′ vertically, right on the banks of the Columbia River

Itinerary

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend half a day climbing the Rooster Rock with an experienced guide! This pinnacle presents a short, but exciting adventure. Climb the classic 2-pitch route on the quality rock and enjoy unobstructed summit views up and down the Gorge before rappelling and finishing your day off with a sense of accomplishment.

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Meet your guides

5.00

Mick Pearson

AMGA Rock and Alpine Guide

Mick has traveled the world over in search of the perfect mountain experience. After working for years under other companies’ ethos and philosophies, nothing quite fit with his personal convictions and passions. So in 2006, he set out on his own to make his vision of the holistic mountain experience a reality for anyone who shared his passion for the outdoors. Mick is an AMGA certified Rock and Alpine Guide, SPI Program Provider, AMGA Instructor Team Member, LNT Master trainer, a Wilderness First Responder, a certified Level 3 Avalanche graduate, an instructor for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education, and also speaks Spanish and a little Swahili.

5.00

Kaf Adventures

Kaf Adventures is a small company run with passion, experience, compassion, and dedication that gives individual attention to all their clients. They are committed to learning through experience, and creating an experience that fosters growth and human change. Kaf Adventures has a desire to create a community that cultivates responsible, conscientious outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. Their guides are the best people, mountaineers, teachers, and ambassadors of mountain culture anywhere!

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - A half day of rock climbing (3-4 hours)
  - All technical climbing gear
What’s not included:
- - Transportation
  - Accommodations
  - Food and snacks
If you can climb a ladder, you’re good to go. Being in good shape is always a plus but far from necessary. Rock climbing is all about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.
Rooster Rock State Park has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Your guide will customize the outing to suit your skill level and objectives. However, any previous climbing experience is preferable. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!

For intermediate to advanced climbers, Rooster Rock State Park has loads of routes to spend a few hours on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.
All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
- - Helmet
  - Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
  - Ropes
  - Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)
  - First Aid kit
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  - Rock shoes
  - Water bottle
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. It can get cold in Rooster Rock during the fall, so please come prepared for chilly temperatures.
Group sizes and prices:
- - The maximum client-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
  - Costs per person decrease as the group grows for private tours, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family!
Climbing days in Rooster Rock can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Rooster Rock State Park, most people fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), just over 30 minutes away from the climbing site. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.

With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.