Looking to swap pulling on plastic for certified organic rock without spending all day in the car?? Good news: Portland is surrounded by a solid handful of local crags, and you can reach most of them in under an hour. Whether you're a new gym climber ready to dip a toe into the outdoor scene or a seasoned sender looking for your next project, your next climb is closer than you think.
We rounded up five of the best outdoor climbing areas near Portland that you can get to fast, so you can spend less time commuting and more time gripping grabs.
🧗 Ozone (Washougal, WA)
Distance from Movement Portland: 35 minutes / 30 miles
Ozone is Portland’s unofficial outdoor gym. If you’ve heard someone mention “the Gorge crag,” this is probably it. With sport and trad routes from 5.5 to 5.12d, Ozone serves up basalt climbs with plenty of vertical crack systems and appealing arete faces. A small trad rack goes a long way here, especially if you're hoping to escape the weekend crowd by getting on less-trafficked routes.
What to expect:
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Steep basalt with columnar features
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Best for lead climbers (not much top rope-friendly terrain)
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Gets busy on dry weekends! The best beta is to get there early or after 2 p.m.
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Popular routes: Numb Nuts (5.8), Masterpiece Theatre (11c), The Crumbling (12a)
🧗 Broughton Bluff (Troutdale, OR)
Distance from Movement Portland: 25 minutes / 18 miles
Ah, Broughton... this basalt crag is either loved or hated by local.
. It's known for its very tricky-to-read routes and sandbagged grades. "Classic Crack" is a notorious example. (The hardest 5.9 in the area? You tell us!)
But if you're looking to sharpen your mental game on tricky-to-read basalt and debate grades with strangers at the base, Broughton’s your spot.
What to expect:
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Dozen+ cliffs with routes from 5.6 to 5.12
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Year-round access (but can be difficult in the winter due to damp and soggy conditions, unless you can climb 5.12. )
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Tough grades, high traffic on moderate lines
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Popular routes: Gandalf's Grip (5.9 trad), Superstition (10c sport), Dracula (12a sport)
Bonus: You can get here without a car—perfect for public transit climbers.
🧗 Rocky Butte Quarry (Portland, OR)
Distance from Movement Portland: 20 minutes / 9 miles
Not every crag has good rock and good vibes, and Rocky Butte only nails one of those. But if you’re looking for fast access and quality movement, this place delivers. Just know that you might be climbing near highway noise and the occasional urban chaos.
What to expect:
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Top rope, trad, and some sport
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Access often requires rappelling in
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Great training wall if you can look past the aesthetics
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Popular routes: Mind Games (10a trad), Stranger Than Friction (10d sport), The Big Lie (11b sport)
🧗 Madrone Wall (Damascus, OR)
Distance from Movement Portland: 35 minutes / 19 miles
Often overlooked but worth every minute! The climbing at Madrone is awesome, and features a wide variety of styles and grades, and most certainly has something you'll enjoy climbing. It’s a former quarry turned climbing park, and thanks to major advocacy work, it’s now open to the public, with some seasonal access caveats.
What to expect:
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Trad and mixed climbs from 5.6 to 5.12
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Closed Feb 1–July 15 for peregrine falcons
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Parking fee ($8 per visit or annual county pass)
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Popular routes: Double Dutch Right (5.6), Comfortizer (11b sport), Where the Wild Things Roam (11+ sport)
🧗 Beacon Rock (Stevenson, WA)
Distance from Movement Portland: 50 minutes / 42 miles
If you’re ready to take your climbing vertical (like really vertical), Beacon Rock is the Gorge’s crown jewel for big, bold, multi-pitch trad. Rising 850 feet out of the Columbia River, Beacon feels like a true alpine mission—but it’s less than an hour from Portland.
What to expect:
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Serious trad playground—bring your full rack
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Multi-pitch lines with amazing exposure
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Seasonal closures (Feb–July) for bird nesting
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$10 Washington State Parks parking fee
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Popular routes: Young Warriors (5.9), Free for All (5.10), The Steamboat Captain’s Dream (10d )
FAQs
Is Portland good for climbing?
Yes! With six solid local crags and more within a couple of hours, Portland is an awesome home base for climbers, especially if you climb in the gym and want to take those skills outside.
Where can I climb near Portland?
Check out Ozone, Broughton Bluff, Carver, Rocky Butte, Madrone Wall, and Beacon Rock—all within an hour of Movement Portland.
Do I need trad gear for Portland crags?
It helps. Most areas have at least a mix of trad and sport routes. A rack from 0.3" to 3" cams will get you far, but Beacon might require 4–5" pieces depending on your objective.
Can I climb year-round?
Yes—but conditions vary. Summer and early fall are prime. Winter is damp, and moss can be real. But if you're flexible and persistent, there's climbing to be found in every season.
Ready to Go From Gym to Crag?
Our gyms are full of climbers who know these areas inside and out—and they love sharing beta. If you’ve been training indoors and want to take that next step outside, we’re here for it. Ask your coaches, climbing partners, or front desk crew about clinics, gear recs, or how to connect with local outdoor climbing meetups.
Summer starts now. Let’s get outside. 🏞️🧗