Rock Climbing

When climbing on Wolf Rock, be fully equipped and prepared.

NPS Photo/John Zuke

Catoctin Mountain Park is a place of geologic and natural beauty. Visitors have enjoyed the rock formations here for many years, through a variety of recreational activities. These activities include hiking, scrambling, bouldering, and climbing. The park’s beautiful rock faces are an irreplaceable resource. To make sure you have a great experience and ensure that those after you do as well, please review the following guidelines, rules, and regulations.

Participation Guidelines

Bouldering and Climbing at Catoctin Mountain Park have become increasingly popular. The following guidelines have been developed to help protect park resources and ensure visitors will be able to continue to participate in these activities in the future. Participation in any park activity is at your own risk.

• 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. Email [e-mail]
• Stay on designated trails whenever possible.
• Park in designated areas only.
• Practice Leave No Trace principles.

 

Wildlife

Be aware of snakes as their habitat includes rocky areas. Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes can be found at Catoctin Mountain Park, and both species are venomous. They will not openly attack and will only strike when threatened or provoked. Please respect their habitat and maintain a safe distance. All wildlife at Catoctin Mountain Park is protected by law.

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.

Details

Activity

Rock Climbing

Wolf Rock provides large enough rock formations for climbers to bring technical gear to scale up it's walls.

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are not allowed at Rock Climbing locations.

Activity Fee

No

Admission to the park is FREE, but for those who qualify, Senior Passes, Military Passes, Access Passes, and Every Kid in a Park passes are available at the visitor center.

Location

Wolf Rock

Wolf Rock is a boulder field featuring a wolf-shaped boulder. The whole field is the size of a football field, but parts are grown over and parts are inaccessible due to crevasses. Please use caution while exploring the Wolf Rock area.

Reservations

No

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time of Day

Day

The park is open daily from dawn until dusk.

Accessibility Information

Wolf Rock is not wheelchair accessible.