Best Portland Rock Climbing Gyms: 2024 Roundup
Last Updated on: 23rd January 2024, 01:39 pm
Climbing is big in the Rose City, and it’s a no-brainer why. With local crags around the area, plus the legendary Smith Rock only a few hours away, Portland is home to a thriving community of climbers. Whether you’re passing through town looking for somewhere to get a quick burn or a local looking for a gym to call home, rock climbing in Portland isn’t hard to find.
Table of Contents
- Movement: Biggest climbing gym in Portland
- Portland Rock Gym: Best for solo-climbers & visitors
- The Circuit: Best Portland bouldering gym
- Rock climbing in Portland: Gym wrap-up
Movement: Biggest climbing gym in Portland
Movement (formally known as Planet Granite) is by far the largest gym in the area. It’s owned by a holding company and is a part of the larger series of movement gyms. From bouldering to lead climbing, this gym has it all. Plus your membership will get you into other locations like the Dallas or D.C. gyms.
Gym Basics
Hours:
M-F: 6am – 11pm
Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 6pm
Types of climbing:
Bouldering
Top Rope
Lead
Facility perks:
Kilter board
Spray wall
Full gym
Free yoga and fitness classes
Intro to climbing classes
Pricing:
Day pass: $25
Child day pass: $13
Membership monthly: $93
*Special pricing for students
Gym Pros
I may be a little biased because this is where I climbed when I lived there, but this gym offers the most in the area. With 30,500 square feet of climbing, 55ft tall sport walls, an 18ft highball, and a kilter board, this gym continually has something new to offer. There are also yoga and strength classes included in all memberships and day passes.
The facility includes large locker rooms that come equipped with free lockers and a sauna. Gear rentals are available at the front desk for a fee, but ropes can be checked out for free. The gym also hosts partner meet-up nights and other events to help you create a community of people.
Gym Cons
Being the best often means you get busy and here is no exception. Monday’s – Thursday’s get pretty crazy between 4:30pm and 8pm. I normally try to hit it midday or early morning, but depending on your schedule that might be hard. Sunday mornings are also slammed… I guess some people treat it like church.
If you’re just passing through and want to lead, it can be hard to get a test… especially when it’s busy. I recommend calling ahead and seeing if they have time before making the trip.
Portland Rock Gym: Best for solo-climbers & visitors
This was the first gym I ever belonged to in Portland so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Located on the less hectic east side, it’s privately owned and takes on more a dirtbag feel than its corporate counterpart. But what it lacks in flash, it makes up for on the wall with stiff routes that are sure to give you the burn you’re craving. Some complain it’s sandbagged, but hey it’s part of the charm.
Gym Basics
Hours:
M-F: 7am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Types of climbing:
Bouldering
Top Rope
Lead
Auto-belays
Facility perks:
Small gym
Full cafe
Yoga & Fitness classes included
Intro to climbing classes & beginner area
Pricing:
Day pass: $23
Membership monthly: $88
Gym Pros
Being privately owned hasn’t stopped this gym from being a top tier gym. Though it’s walls don’t stretch as high as Movement’s, it comes with plenty of climbing surface clocking in at 20,000 square feet. If you’re climbing solo, the autobelays make it easy to practice your sport climbing even if you’re solo. The setting in this gym is also a lot stiffer than other gyms. I put this as a pro because it makes the transition to outdoors a lot easier.
PRG’s bouldering area also feels more unique than Movement’s. While it’s smaller, they make use of the space with more interesting features that ultimately gives you more variety.
Perhaps the coolest feature of this gym is the second story where you can post up with a smoothie, watch people climb, or even get work done. For any digital nomads looking for a place where you can go from working to climbing in a matter of minutes, this is your spot.
Gym Cons
The only real con of this gym is its size. It has less than half of what Movement has and costs about the same. The gym is also fairly small making it hard to mix weight training into your workout during peak hours.
The Circuit: Best Portland bouldering gym
If you’re a boulderer, look no further. The Circuit is your spot. Dedicated purely to bouldering, no other gym offers more variety than here. The gym also has three locations around the Portland area, so no matter where you’re at, it’s easy to find a location nearby.
Gym Basics
Hours:
Vary by location
Types of climbing:
Bouldering
Facility perks:
Intro to climbing classes
Training area
Gym
Pricing:
Day pass: $20
Membership monthly: $65 – $88
Gym Pros
When it comes to bouldering, no rock climbing gym in Portland does it better. The grading might feel a little softer than other gyms, but with plenty of space you’ll be sure to find an endless supply of routes that challenge you. The features and design have everything from slab and long traverses to overhung mushrooms and highballs.
If you get a membership, then you’re good to use any of their gym locations in Portland or Bend. This allows locals with every more variety and a chance to change things up. The Circuit also offers different pricing models that can get your monthly rate down to $65 per month.
Gym Cons
Elephant in the room, you can only boulder. There’s no sport climbing which made it an instant no for me as a longtime gym. In addition, the facilities are very basic and don’t offer a ton outside of climbing. But hey, if you’re there to climb, then who cares! The Circuit is still a great gym
Rock climbing in Portland: Gym wrap-up
Oregon’s biggest city has a ton to offer climbers of any levels. From beginners looking to start to veterans looking for a solid workout, rock climbing in Portland has something to offer everyone. We’ll see you on the wall!
