Indoor rock climbing can be a very fun activity to do but it might cost a little more than you might expect. I highly recommend trying it if you are looking for a fun activity and have a few extra dollars lying around. Here is what to expect to pay when you go indoor rock climbing:
In total, indoor climbing costs between $20 and $30 per day. The price includes the cost of a typical climbing gym day pass and rental gear. On average, a climbing gym day pass costs between $15 and $20 while rental gear costs between $5 and $10.
The above price doesn’t consider hidden prices that may be associated with a trip to the climbing gym. While this may seem expensive at first, there are certain ways to make the most out of your trip to the gym. Stay tuned for the hidden costs you may encounter and ways to maximize your climbing experience as discussed later in the article.
A Complete Breakdown of Indoor Climbing Expenses
Each climbing gym will have their own rates for a gym pass and rental gear. I compiled a table comparing 5 popular climbing gyms and the typical costs for one day of climbing. The results can be seen below:
| Climbing Gym | Day Pass Cost | Rental Gear Cost |
| Adventure Rock | $18 | $6 |
| Boulders Climbing Gym | $20 | $5 |
| Quarry Indoor Climbing Center | $18 | $5 |
| Momentum Indoor Climbing | $20 | $9 |
| Spring Climbing Center | $15 to $20 | $5 to $8 |
As shown above, climbing gyms typically have very similar pricing. Obviously, prices are subject to change but have been around this same pricing for as long as I can remember. A complete breakdown of the pricing is provided below.
Climbing Gym Day Pass Pricing
A typical climbing gym will charge between $15 and $20 for a day pass. More popular climbing gyms might charge more during “peak” climbing hours (typically between 4-8pm when people are getting off work). Be sure to check out the climbing gyms in your area and see if they have any additional charges during this time.
The typical day pass will give you access to all of the climbing gym’s amenities. These can include bouldering walls, top rope/sport climbing walls, and even workout equipment. While most climbing gyms don’t have full weight rooms, you can probably expect to find a pull-up bar, campus board, and dumbbells.
If it is your first time, I wouldn’t worry too much about the weight room or exercise center(s). You will most likely get a good enough workout in just by climbing. If you are wondering what exactly to expect and how hard indoor climbing is, I recommend checking out my article linked here.
Climbing Equipment Rental Costs
Typically, gyms will offer climbing shoe and harness rentals. Some gyms will even offer chalk and chalk bag rentals.
So do not worry if you currently don’t own a pair of climbing shoes or have a harness. You will be able to rent the gear you need at the gym.
All of the climbing walls will typically require you to wear climbing shoes and the top rope walls will require a harness.
If it is your first time climbing, don’t worry about the sport climbing routes for now. They require you to take a class that teaches you how to belay before you can use them. This class, while helpful, probably won’t be worth your time your first time climbing. You will have access to the bouldering wall(s) and auto-belay top rope routes without having to go through the belay class.
Most of the time, you will be able to rent all of your gear in a bundle at a reduced rate. Most gear bundles will range between $5 and $10 depending on what you all need. If you have your own shoes or harness you may be able to save a few bucks.
If you are interested in seeing what the current prices are for the most popular rock climbing shoes, you can find them on Amazon by clicking here. Using the Amazon affiliate link above and/or other links in the article helps support this website.
I wrote an article breaking down when it is worth it for beginners to get their own pair of climbing shoes. If you are considering doing so, I recommend checking it out linked here. Getting your climbing shoes can potentially save you a lot of money in the long run.
Hidden Costs of Indoor Climbing
There are other costs to consider when going climbing in addition to the day pass and gear rental.
Gas. In most states climbing gyms are not widespread (yet!). If you are budget-conscious and will be driving 15 miles to a climbing gym, it may be worth taking a look at gas prices. For simple math, a car that gets 30 miles per gallon will use up 1 gallon of gas for the round trip. Depending on gas prices near you this could be anywhere from $2-$5. (let’s hope it never gets too much higher)
Parking. There may not be free street parking or a parking lot available if the gym you are going to is in a city. It is worth looking ahead of time to see if free parking will be available nearby the gym. Otherwise, you will have a nice stroll ahead of you or will have to pay for a parking meter.
Food and Drinks. Climbing gyms will typically offer snack options and will sell beverages. These may not be needed if you are just going for a little bit. However, just going for a little bit won’t make the most of your money.
Get the Best Indoor Climbing Experience for Your Money
As a general rule, climbing gyms will sell day passes. That means you are able to leave and come back the same day without having to pay extra. Therefore, I recommend splitting up you climbing session and making a day out of it!
By going in the morning, taking a break around lunch and then returning you will have twice the fun for the same price. Climbing can be one heck of a fun experience and very exhausting at the same time. Expecting to spend hours and hours there is unrealistic and something I don’t recommend.
By going in the morning it is more likely parking will be available nearby and you will avoid any “peak” pricing from the gym. If you are a relatively new climber, there is a very good chance that you will be tuckered out within 1 to 2 hours of being at the gym. This is a perfect time to take a break!
Food and beverages at climbing gyms are typically very below average and can cost a fortune. I recommend either packing a lunch to save some money or going out to eat.
While you are recovering from your gym session you can explore the area nearby the gym. Taking a nature hike or walking around the city (if the gym is downtown) are my favorite things to do to kill time and let my body recover.
Once you feel up for another session, you can head back to the gym and send that route you were working on that morning.
The bottom line? Indoor climbing will typically cost between $20 and $30 for the day pass and equipment rental. This does not include potential hidden costs such as gas, parking, and food/drinks. To make the most out of your climbing gym trip, I recommend to split up your day into a morning and afternoon climbing session with a break for lunch and hydration in between.
