Top Indoor Rock Climbing In Philadelphia

You don't have to look high and low to find an indoor rock climbing facility in the Philadelphia area. While rock climbing used to be strictly an outdoor sport, today there are several local places where people of all ages and abilities can climb indoors. With weather no longer a factor, rock climbing is a year-round sport that's gone from extreme to mainstream. Read on for five of the top indoor rock climbing facilities in the Philadelphia area.

Philadelphia Rock Gyms
E-520 122 Mill Road
Oaks, PA 19456
(610) 666-7673
www.philarockgym.com

For more than 20 years, Philadelphia Rock Gym has been the Philadelphia area's premier pit stop for indoor climbing. First opening in 1994, PRG's flagship location in Oaks was one of the first indoor climbing centers in the United States. Since then, three more facilities have opened (in Wyncote, Brandywine Valley and a state-of-the-art 15,000 square foot center in East Falls), all featuring expansive  bouldering, dozens of top-ropes, climbing heights up to 50 feet, team building activities, and more. In addition to instructional courses and after-school climbs for kids, several admissions packages are offered, including multi-climb packages and punch passes for those who want to come and go with no commitment.

Go Vertical
950 N. Penn St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 928-1800
www.govertical.com

With 13,500 square feet of climbing surfaces, Go Vertical is the go-to indoor climbing facility in Philadelphia. Boasting 250 climbing routes at all times (and 20 new routes set up each week) and a separate beginner's area and kids' wall, there's something for everyone at this rock gym. For beginners, a bouldering pass allows for unlimited bouldering on designated walls only (no roped climbing), while the Go Vertical Climbing School can show newbies all the ropes (pun intended). Unique features at this full-service rock gym include towers and overhanging arêtes, as well as fully-equipped locker rooms with showers and air conditioning in the climbing rooms. Day pass climbers will pay a little more during peak hours (Monday - Friday 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and holidays), while there are also monthly and yearly memberships, and affordable equipment rentals. Free street parking is also available.

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Doylestown Rock Gym
3853 Old Easton Road
Doylestown, PA 18902
(215) 230-9085
www.doylestownrockgym.com

This Bucks County indoor rock climbing gym and adventure facility boasts more than 12,000 square feet of indoor climbing surface, overhangs, boulders, arêtes, caves, and more, all suitable for climbers of all abilities. The facility offers both beginner and advanced rock climbing lessons, as well as reasonable day rates and membership packages. There are even classes for homeschoolers and summer camps for kids. The accompanying pro shop offers a wide selection of rock climbing equipment and gear for everyone.

Vertical Extreme
462 Acorn Lane
Downingtown, PA 19335
(610) 873-9620
www.verticalextreme.com

Located 45 minutes west of Philly, Chester County's Vertical Extreme is slightly smaller scale, which could make it less intimidating for new climbers. With 7,500 square feet of climbing with heights up to 45 feet, and 3,000 square feet of bouldering routes up to 12 feet, it's the perfect place to hone your climbing skills. Friday night it's all about the kids, with a two-hour drop-off option for youths who want to climb and dine on pizza. This suburban Philadelphia facility, which first opened in 1993, is the largest climbing facility in Chester County. It's open Tuesday through Sunday and includes a pro shop. There's also a portable wall rental available for private climbing parties.

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University Of Pennsylvania
David Pottruck Health and Fitness Center
3701 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-6100
www.upenn.edu/recreation

For those ready to get schooled on climbing, head on over to the University of Pennsylvania. Known as "the hub" of UPenn's Pottruck Health and Fitness Center, the 40-foot climbing wall is available for climbers of all skill levels. No membership is required, and day passes are a bargain at only $5, while annual and single semester climbing passes can also be purchased through the school's Membership Services Office. Equipment is included in all packages, so no extra cash is needed for rentals. In addition, a series of 2-hour courses will have new climbers learning the basics in Climbing 101 or how to belay. And for those who prefer one-on-one instruction, private lessons are available for just $30 for a two-hour session.

Victoria Miller is a freelance entertainment writer who also covers recreation and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.