Best Bouldering in California

Trying to find the best bouldering in California? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

California, Inyo County

00 :21 hrs
0.5 mi
77.720215 ft
Unknown

Girlfriend Rock offers moderate problem with nice landings located further up canyon from “Happy Boulder”. Approach from the designated parking area, located along Chalk Bluff Road at the south end of the canyon. Follow the hikers trail into the canyon.

2

California, Newport Beach

00 :04 hrs
0.2 mi
11.769388 ft
Various

Located at Corona Del Mar State Beach, Pirates Cove is one of the best beach bouldering areas in California. The climbing here is located on juggy sandstone caves with soft sand beaches for the landings. Bring your shoes and chalk bag and maybe a brush for the holds. Park along Ocean Blvd and walk down towards the beach before scrambling over the the rocks leading to the staircase down the cliff side to the cove.

3

California, Inyo County

00 :04 hrs
0.1 mi
14.021973 ft
Various

As part of the popular Bishop bouldering area known as the Buttermilks, Iron Man Boulder sits higher up on the hillside on the west end of the Buttermilks. Here you will find the classic ‘Iron Man’ traverse with it’s many different variations, along with other quality routes. To reach this boulder, park at one of the many parking areas south or west of the boulders and follow a climbers trail up the hillside.

4

California, Inyo County

00 :05 hrs
0.1 mi
19.721191 ft
Various

As part of the popular Bishop bouldering area known as the Buttermilks, Green Wall although short, offers lines that require excellent concentration and execution. Green Wall is situated uphill and to the left of the popular Grandma and Grandpa Boulders. Lines can be found on both the north and south face.To reach this boulder, park at one of the many parking areas south or east of the boulders and follow a climbers trail up the hillside.

5

California, Inyo County

00 :03 hrs
0.1 mi
7.1342773 ft
Various

As part of the popular Bishop area climbing, Grandpa Peabody is located downhill from it’s neighboring boulder ‘Grandma Peabody’ and is one of the most popular boulders within the Buttermilks. The south face offers intensely tall lines and one of the most challenging problems in the world (Evilution). To reach this boulder, park at one of the many parking areas south or east of the boulders and follow a climbers trail up the hillside.

6

California, Rocklin

00 :02 hrs
0.1 mi
2.0134964 ft
Unknown

A former granite quarry, this fun little boulder area features problems ranging from 6-25 feet in height. There are a few really good problems and lots of kind of contrived problems.

7

Nevada, Clark County

00 :07 hrs
0.3 mi
3.9284668 ft
Various

Black Warm-up Boulders are another great warm up area as the name indicates. Most of the routes are V0 - V1, but there are a couple a little more difficult. They are well positioned to let you warm up before you continue onto the more difficult problems further into the Kraft Boulder area of Calico Basin. You get there by turning into the residential area before the Red Rock park entrance. Kraft Boulders are an abundant and classic bouldering area. There are some boulders with petroglyphs and it's illegal to climb within 50' of them. Human waste bags are also provided. The area is under threat of closure so please be respectful.

8

California, Mariposa County

00 :05 hrs
0.1 mi
16.83252 ft
Unknown

The boulder formation that houses “King Cobra” is located off to the right of Upper Falls Trail. This boulder offers only two routes, with one of them being a unique classic problem known as King Cobra. Approach from the Camp 4 parking lot (permit required) and head northwest towards the horse trail that leads to Upper Falls Trail.

9

California, Mariposa County

00 :06 hrs
0.1 mi
18.497925 ft
Unknown

The Bachar Cracker Boulder is part of the Camp 4 boulders and is located on the east side. Approach from the Camp 4 parking lot (permit required) and head northwest towards the horse trail that leads to Upper Falls Trail. Follow climbers trail to the north side of the boulder to find the popular Bachar Cracker problem.

10

California, Mariposa County

00 :03 hrs
0.1 mi
5.406128 ft
Various

As part of the Camp 4 bouldering area (on the east side), Thriller Boulder offers two of the best problems in the Valley. These Camp 4 classic problems are “Thriller” and “The Force”. Approach from the Camp 4 parking lot (permit required) and head northwest towards the horse trail that leads to Upper Falls Trail. Thriller Boulder will be located on the northwest side of the trail.

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