Rock climbing, one of the fastest growing sports, not only builds physical strength and mental focus, but also leads you to some beautiful places. Here are some climbing spots for climbers.
Acadia National Park, Maine
This popular New England park is one of the few places where you can climb seaside rocks. The granite(花岗岩)is good for climbing. In some areas, you need to start when the sea is at its lowest level. The area has guides, instructors and climbing schools, making it particularly welcoming for beginners.
More information:nps. gov/acad
Red River Gorge, Kentucky
This geological area in Daniel Boone National Forest is prized for its climbing routes and rock scenery. The park, located an hour's drive southeast of Lexington, is well known in the climbing world for both beginner⁃friendly terrain(地形)and more challenging sections. It's a place where you can find a lot of fellow climbers.
More information:fs. usda. gov/recarea
City of Rocks, Idaho
This national reserve near the Utah border is worth a trip for the scenery alone. Named by gold miners heading to California in 1849, its granite looks like skyscrapers, towering 600 feet above the ground. It's a fascinating area from a geologic and geographic angle. Many visitors come for August's Idaho Mountain Festival, a celebration of climbing with top athletes in attendance.
More information: nps. gov/ciro
Earth Treks Englewood, Colorado
While you can find climbing gyms across the country, this one just south of Denver is worth a special trip. With 53,000 square feet, the massive facility has a special rock climbing area, a group of guides and even extras like childcare and yoga.
More information: earthtreksclimbing. com/englewood
