12 USA-Based Climbing Events to Rock Your World

Held every four years, 2022 is the year to witness in person or compete for the title of sport climbing world champion. This week and a half-long competition focuses on speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing. Sit in on the qualifiers or watch the finalists duke it out for the title at the World Games of Sport Climbing.

Tickets start at $29.95. Will you attend or compete?

#2. IFSC World Cup

When: TBD
Where: Salt Lake City, UT

Spectate from the stands or step up to the rock wall for the 2022 International Federation of Sport Climbing World Cup. Test your technique in men’s/women’s bouldering and speed climbing. Register 15 days prior to the competition to sit in on the high-quality training, strategy, and technique seminars.

Check the schedule and get involved ASAP!

#3. GoPro Mountain Games

When: TBD
Where: Vail, CO

One of the best competitions on the list with a cash prize, and loads of free entertainment and offers is the GoPro Mountain Games 2022. Meet fellow climbers, bicyclists, kayakers, and rafters alike. It’s an outdoor lover’s dream come true. The past few years have hosted free outdoor concerts with famous American musicians to get your pump on before your climb.

#4. North American Cup Series: Lead and Speed Climbing

When: TBD
Where: Gilbert, AZ

The desert is calling all dirtbag climbers to compete for the speed or lead-climbing title in Arizona. There’s not too much information on this event yet besides the dates and location, but you can stay updated here on registration details. In the meantime, train your climbing brains out and perfect your climbing technique, future champion.

Rock Climbing Festivals

#5. Ouray Ice Climbing Festival

When: January
Where: Ouray, CO

Bundle up, it’s about to get icy! Attend full-day seminars on ice-climbing or compete amongst industry pros in Ouray’s Ice Climbing Festival. It’s held annually, same place, almost same time.

Your favorite outdoor brands host workshops on ice endurance, leading in ice climbing, and advanced movement strategies. Sadly, the ice has melted, so you’ll have to check it out in 2023.

#6. Horseshoe Hell

When: September
Where: Jasper, AR

The name might not appeal, but it’s a challenge worth accepting.

You won’t go through hell alone. Choose your teammate to struggle beside you as you endure a 12 or 24-hour climbing experience. It’s all about endurance, strength, and self-will. Dress up in costumes and party the night away after you survive your lengthy climbing stunt.

Sound up your alley? Check out Horseshoe Hell.

#7. Craggin’ Classic

When: Multiple dates
Where: Multiple locations

Put on on behalf of the American Alpine Club, the Craggin’ Classic is a climbing event held across the United States in the late summer/fall. These 3-day festivals feature live music, climbing workshops, score amazing gear deals, and more.

The most recent Craggin’ Classic is being held in New Hampshire in September. Will you be attending?

Rock Climbing Retreats

#8. She Moves Mountains: Women’s Rock Climbing and Yoga Retreat

When: May
Where: Smith Rock, OR

What’s better than a vacation, rock climbing, yoga, and delicious meals? Nothing, nothing at all.

Harness up with a team of other fearless women to climb in the birthplace of climbing, Smith’s Rock. From beginner to expert, there is a route that fits all climbing techniques, styles, and preferences. Everything’s included so you won’t need to lug your heavy gear with you unless you’re emotionally attached, to which, we get it.

#9. Stone Adventures: Women’s Climbing Retreat

When: July
Where: Joshua Tree, CA

Stone Adventures is a female-owned and operated company hosting a plethora of exciting, and engaging climbing retreats. All gear, lodging, meals, and fun included.

If you’ve never checked out Joshua Tree, it will blow your expectations out of the water. There’s a reason millions of climbers have flocked to the area for centuries, come experience it yourself!

If you’re unable to leave your little mini-me at home, they even have mommy and kiddo climbing retreats.

#10. Indian Creek Women’s Crack Climbing Retreat

When: April
Where: Indian Creek, UT

For all the centrally located female climbers out there, this is a retreat to mix up your climbing experience. Follow a team of certified climbing guides to practice your crack climbing technique. The landscape is out of an old western movie with desert for miles, stunning formations, and gravity-defying summits.

Due to the increasing popularity, the early-year retreats are completely sold out. Message them to book a retreat for the later season here!

Rock Climbing Debuts

#11. Reel Rock 16 Tour

When: 24/7, 7 days a week
Where: Nearby

In case you live under a rock, no pun intended, you must check out Reel Rock 16. This film is compiled of climbing interviews, beautiful rock-climbing footage, and international climbing content. You can subscribe to their all-inclusive rock climbing platform, or grab a brew and check out a showing in your local area.

Ask your nearby rock climbing gyms if they’ll host an event. Chances are they already have it in the works.

#12. The Wall: Climb for Gold

When: 24/7, 7 days a week
Where: Nearby

Four female climbers face the task of a lifetime as they compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Follow the futures of world-renowned climbers Janja Garnbret, Shauna Coxsey, Brooke Raboutou, and Miho Nonaka as they train religiously, climb hard, and conquer their dreams. Snag a showing near you with some pals.

Nothing nearby? Here’s a list of our favorite climbing documentaries to watch at home! Which ones have you seen?

TBA 2023 Climbing Events

Many rock climbing events have been postponed or yet to be announced fully. Check back for updates on newly posted rock climbing retreats, festivals, films, and more.

Catch you on the rock wall!

McKenzi Taylor

McKenzi Taylor founded Rock Climbing Women in 2013 after moving to a new city as a new climber seeking more climbing partners (and new friends!). Since her first taste of climbing in Spearfish Canyon, SD, McKenzi has been at the rock face seeking and sharing the thrill of climbing. She credits the support of a consistent climbing partner and community as the motivation to continue developing her skill, whether it’s trad, sport climbing or bouldering. A full-time business owner and mother, McKenzi’s on a mission to get her kids outside and learning to adventure alongside her.