Climbing Policy FAQs & Resources

Current Events

What’s happening with the public land sale I have heard about?

  • February 20, 2026 Public Land Sale Proposal Link

    • https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-proposes-sale-public-land-las-vegas-valley

  • Public Comment Link

    • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/23/2026-03516/realty-action-modified-competitive-sale-of-22-parcels-of-public-land-in-clark-county-nevada

  • Map of Lands for Sale Link

    • https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2025-01/SNPLMA_Aerial%20Maps%20of%20Public%20Land%20Eligible%20for%20Disposal%20Within%20SNPLMA%20Disposal%20Boundary_1.16.25%20(508).pdf

  • In 2025, the SNCC created two new board member positions called “Liaison to Land Managers,” with one seat for each, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS).

    The goal of this role is to provide the climbing community with visibility into land management-related topics, to ensure that climbers have the opportunity to share their input on these matters, and to help foster a cooperative relationship between climbers and local land managers in our mutual goals of balancing recreation with conservation.

  • Access Fund is a 501(c )(3) organization with the mission to lead and inspire the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment.

    One of the ways they do this is by helping organize and empower Local Climbing Organizatins (LCOs) like SNCC.

    Access Fund also provides support through programs like Climber Stewards, and assists with conservation efforts.

    SNCC offers memberships both independently, and jointly with Access Fund.

  • A “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) is a formal agreement to collaborate, and defines roles, responsibilities, and common goals.

    SNCC and AF both have independent MOUs with the BLM’s Red Rock / Sloan Field Office for RRCNCA.

    The purpose of ours is “to develop and expand a framework for the cooperation between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Southern Nevada District Office (SNDO), and the Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition (SNCC) on mutually beneficial programs, projects, communications, training, and recreational climbing activities on BLM-SNDO managed lands.”

    Education, trail maintenance, signage, and collaboration on climbing policy are all a part of this!

  • Yep! In Southern Nevada we are fortunate to work with land managers today who are out there climbing right along with us … out on boulders, clipping bolts at classic sport crags, and plugging gear out in the back country. They understand the unique needs and issues for rock climbers as a user group in the NCA, and they combine this understanding with their expertise in local wildlife, desert vegetation, archeology, and more.

    The current team, meeting regularly with SNCC and Access Fund for recurring updates and projects, includes:

    • check for permission to list names!

  • Climbing in Southern Nevada can be found on both private and public lands. “Public Lands” is a broad term, and covers many different kinds of land. Each has different land management policies, which may include guidelines and regulations for recreation and rock climbing.

    • National Conservation Area

      • Congress designates National Conservation Areas to conserve, protect, enhance and manage public lands for present and future generations. There are 19 in 10 states, providing significant scientific, cultural, ecological, historical, and recreational value.

      • e.g. Red Rock Canyon NCA, Sloan Canyon NCA

    • National Recreation Area

      • Established by Congress to protect significant natural, scenic, or water-based resources while offering, and encouraging, diverse outdoor recreational activities requiring multiple-use management, like motorized recreation (OHV use)

      • e.g. Spring Mountains NRA

    • National Forest

      • Federally managed lands that are protected for conservation, they aim to balance multiple uses, like sustainable timber production, livestock grazing, water management, wildlife habitat, and extensive recreation.  There are 154 National Forests, and they are overseen by the U.S. Forest Service. 

      • e.g. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

    • National Monument

      • Designed to permanently protect significant natural, cultural, or scientific resources, these areas range in size, and they are managed by federal agencies like the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or U.S. Forest Service. 

      • e.g. Gold Butte, Avi Kwa Ame

    • Wilderness

      • Congressionally-designated, as outlined in the Wilderness Act of 1964, these undeveloped federal lands are managed to preserve their natural, untrammeled condition. Human impact is minimized, and motorized equipment is prohibited. These areas provide opportunities for solitude, primitive recreation, and habitat for wildlife.

      • e.g. Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, La Madre Mountain Wilderness, Mount Charleston Wilderness, Arrow Canyon

    • National Wildlife Refuge

      • Protected areas of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with the primary purpose of conserving fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.  While they also provide opportunities for compatible public recreation, refuges prioritize wildlife conservation.

      • e.g. Desert National Wildlife Refuge Complex

  • Climbers are good stewards when they learn the policies of the lands where they climb.

    Climbing policy gets extra complicated when one type of area encompasses another type of area, and a climber should be aware when they cross boundaries between land types.

    For example, a National Conservation Area and a National Recreation Area can both include Wilderness areas and non-Wilderness areas within their boundaries.

    • Red Rock Canyon NCA encompasses Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, and La Madre Mountain Wilderness

    • Spring Mountains NRA encompasses Mt. Charleston Wilderness

    How can you learn, and how can you identify the land where you stand?

    Search the web, research maps, download mapping apps, ask a guide … use every resource you can get!

    Resources:

    Map Apps

  • After establishing what kind of land a climbing area or objective sis located on, the next step is to understand what policies and guidelines apply to that specific land.

    Climbers are good stewards when they do their own research, but this stuff is complicated!

    Here are some links to some common policy resources that are relevant for climbers in Southern Nevada!

    Continue down to learn about Recreation Area Management Plans in Southern Nevada

  • A RAMP is an official document which guides the development, operation, and maintenance of recreational areas while balancing the needs of different user groups.  It's used by land managers to define goal for managing activities, facilities, and visitor experiences, and balances public uses with resource protection.

  • As mentioned above, a RAMP focuses on a specific recreation area. Each of the following RAMPs affect access to climbing routes in Southern NV:

    • La Madre Foothills RAMP

    • Harris Springs RAMP

    • Calico Basin RAMP

    Links to all of the RAMP documents and their current statuses in the right sidebar here:

  • Item description

  • Updates are unfolding in real time here … monthly meetings continue to act as brainstorming and planning sessions for the actual CMP document. Some aspects of the plan are on hold pending implementation guidelines to be issued by the Department of the Interior. Once established, then additional steps towards a formal NEPA process and public comment period will take place.

  • Over the years, BLM has gathered climbing route data through various inventories. As of 2025, the Great Basin Institute has completed the most current/thorough inventory to date. The intent is not an exhaustive or exclusive documentation, but rather to inform an assessment of which areas should be designated as low, moderate, or high use. Other data sources include Mountain Project tracking and Strava heat maps.

  • This is relevant for climbers because of implications for issues like fixed hardware and usage of power drills, but our purpose here is not to rewrite what has already been explained eloquently elsewhere:

  • EXPLORE is a bipartisan law signed in January 2025 to improve, expand, and modernize outdoor recreation infrastructure and access on federal public lands and waters.  There are two parts that are especially relevant for rock climbers, expanded below under Protect America's Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, and Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation (SOAR) Act (which mainly affects rock climbing guiding permits).

  • Part of the EXPLORE Act, passed in January 2025, the PARC Act specifically addresses rock climbing.

    This law is important for climbers because it ensures that:

    • fixed anchors are recognized as an appropriate use in Wilderness areas,

    • clear policies are established for managing clinging across different federal public lands, and

    • land managers are required to provide opportunities for public comment before issuing new climbing management plans.

  • This act requires federal agencies to assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of proposed actions.  They must evaluate alternatives, engage the public, and document findings to minimize environmental harm. 

    NEPA is how the public has the opportunity to comment on proposed policy changes like RAMPs and CMPs.

  • Passed in 1998, this law allows the BLM to sell some specific public lands in order to fund various conservation, restoration, affordable housing, and other projects.

    This is relevant for climbers because it is part of the funding source for trail restoration work at Mary Jane Falls Trailhead, Mt. Charleston.

    Learn more here:

  • Here are some helpful links and resources, including maps: