Climbing Policy FAQs & Resources

(updated 7/7/2026, with more to follow soon; scroll down for the full FAQ section)

NOTE: Are you looking for information about the new map tool released by the BLM which shows public lands in Southern Nevada proposed for sale for SNPLMA funding? Learn more in the news media HERE, or check out the map tool yourself HERE.

Summer 2026 marks 18 months since the EXPLORE and PARC Acts were passed, with these legislative acts calling for implementation guidance for recreational climbing activities on covered Federal land.

4 federal agencies have released draft proposals for this “implementation guidance,” and these drafts are available for Public Comment.

WHY comment? These draft proposals will shape how climbing is managed on public lands. The guidance could control new route development (where and how can fixed anchors be placed) and existing route preservation (who can or should maintain existing fixed anchors). There are opportunities for improvement and/or clarification in each draft, and there are implications specific to climbing areas in Southern Nevada. Public comments are how you voice your support or dissent for federal policies which have local impact.

WHEN are the deadlines?

  • July 20, 2026 for USFS

  • August 14, 2026 for BLM, NPS, and USFWS

Access Fund has created an FAQs page HERE, which outlines pros and cons for each agency’s draft, and you can use their Public Comment submission tool HERE to make the process easier.

SNCC’s role and intention is:

  • to identify which climbing areas in Southern Nevada are managed by which federal agencies, so that Southern Nevada climbers understand local impact;

  • to compile educational resources from various national organizations and other regional LCOs, giving climbers a broad perspective on the issues;

  • to educate climbers about the differences between the proposals, comparing pros and cons; and

  • to suggest how climbers might personalize the Access Fund’s generic public comment templates, emphasizing opportunities for improvement on local issues.

How will NATIONAL (i.e. Federal) level policy influence LOCAL level policy, specifically for climbers in Southern Nevada?

  • Southern Nevada climbing is mostly found on land managed by these federal agencies:

    • USFS (e.g. Mt. Charleston Wilderness, some parts of La Madre Wilderness)

    • BLM (e.g. other parts of La Madre Wilderness, Rainbow Mountain Wilderness, and the non-Wilderness parts of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area)

    • use the arcgis map tool to identify Wilderness Areas in Southern Nevada, and to see which federal agency manages each

  • The USFS draft guidance

    • applies to BOTH designated Wilderness Areas, and also non-Wilderness within USFS, as well

    • improves previous proposed restrictions on fixed anchors

    • leaves ambiguity for fixed anchor maintenance in areas which are not covered by a dedicated Climbing Management Plan (this includes Mt. Charleston)

    • includes some limitations which are well-articulated by the CCC for USFS lands in the Carolinas HERE

  • The BLM draft guidance

    • has consequences for Wilderness Areas, which make up part (but not all) of Red Rock Canyon NCA

    • applies a flexible “casual use” standard for anchor management

    • imposes a count/distance limit for fixed anchors which is not adaptable to all practical needs and conditions, especially multipitch and/or technical face climbs, which are prevalent in Southern Nevada climbing

    • cannot be used to create exception for the usage of power drills in Wilderness for fixed anchor maintenance; this will still require a separate MRA process for the drill itself (not the fixed anchor)

    • has direct consequences for RRCNCA’s Wilderness Areas, and will ALSO heavily influence policy at the LOCAL level, as it will establish a framework for fixed anchor management to be applied through the Climbing Management Plan, currently in draft stage.

    • There are 4 Federal Agencies with draft proposals available for public comment

      • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

        • (1) U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

          • e.g. Mt. Charleston

      • U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)

        • (2) Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

          • e.g. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

        • (3) National Park System (NPS)

        • (4) U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)

    • “Wilderness character” - the quality of a route consistent with the ideals defined in the 1964 Wilderness Act

    • “legacy routes” - routes located in designated Wilderness which were established prior to the PARC Act establishment on January 4, 2025

    • “casual use” - the BLM framework providing flexibility to avoid lengthy process, within certain limitations (like bolt count and spacing)

    • “radius” - the distance from the middle of a circle to any outer point; in the context of a fixed anchor, this means that the required separation between bolts extends both side-to-side (neighboring routes) and up/down (within a single pitch, or multiple)

    • “Minimum Requirements Analysis” - often abbreviated as MRA, this is the official process to request an exception for an otherwise-prohibited use of motorized equipment in Wilderness Areas, like using a power drill for fixed anchor maintenance

  • 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.

    Liaisons to Land Managers represent the SNCC at monthly meetings, keeping minutes to ensure continuity for ongoing and future issues, helping resolve concerns caused by climber impact, and planning projects together.

  • Access Fund, a national climbing advocacy nonprofit, leads the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment.  Access Fund supports and empowers a network of region-specific climbing advocates working to protect and conserve America’s rock climbing; these are Local Climbing Organizations (LCOs) like SNCC.

    As an LCO, SNCC serves as the eyes, ears, and approach-shoes-on-the-ground for local climbing access issues, crag stewardship, and opportunities to protect and care for local climbing areas. 

    Access Fund has partnered with SNCC to bring its Conservation Team and Climber Steward program to Southern Nevada, and has advocated for Nevada climbing policies as detailed here:

    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.

  • 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

      • Land Managers: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

    • 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

      • Land Managers: both BLM and USFS

    • 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 (SMNRA)

      • Land Managers: U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

    • 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.  As of Spring 2026, there are 154 National Forests. 

      • e.g. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

      • Land Manager: U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

    • 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

    • 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 a climber determines the land type on which a climbing area or objective is located, the next step is to understand the policies, regulations, and guidelines that apply to that specific land type.

    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 Resource Management Plan (RMP) 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.

    A Recreation Area Management Plan (RAMP) is a strategic document that provides site-specific goals, objectives, and strategies for managing public land to balance recreational use with resource protection. These plans, often used by agencies like the BLM, define allowed activities, visitor services, and infrastructure development to manage environmental impacts and user conflicts.

  • 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:

  • A Climbing Management Plan (CMP) is a land-use strategy developed to balance recreational climbing access with the protection of natural, cultural, and wilderness resources. These plans address issues like fixed anchors, approach trails, and habitat protection.

    A helpful resource from Access Fund about there advocacy through CMPs is available for further information here:

  • Legislative changes, like formal Climbing Management Plans, can take a literal act of congress to put in place, and making changes can mean figuratively moving mountains. The concept of a “Climbing Advisory Group” has been proposed, as a way to ensure that climbing route maintenance and development follows existing policy, while adapting to the changing needs of the climbing industry and the environment.

    In the context of fixed hardware, a C.A.G. is a way to ensure input directly from climbers themselves, and to allow for open and transparent discussion about correct installation for new protection bolts and fixed anchors, while ensuring consideration for biological and cultural resources.

    How such a group would be formed and governed is the kind of feedback that the Liaisons to Land Managers want to hear from the climbing community.

  • Updates are unfolding in real time … monthly meetings continue to act as brainstorming and planning sessions for the actual CMP document, and include representatives from SNCC, BLM, and Access Fund.

    Focus topics for climbers to consider for the CMP include trail and access management, existing fixed anchor maintenance, new route development, protection for wilderness and other sensitive areas, conservation of flora, fauna, and cultural resources.

    Some aspects of the CMP, especially in regard to fixed hardware, 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.

    Opportunity for involvement is also expected through a Climbing Advisory Group, to take shape through the CMP.

    • In general, federal agencies accept public comments as part of the legally-required process for government policy-making and rule-making.

    • Public Comments …

      • inform land managers and policy-makers about which aspects of proposals are favorable or unfavorable, by which user groups or communities, and why

      • become part of official legal public record, and can be read and replied to by others

      • might be one sentence or many paragraphs, and may include detailed analyses and supporting documents or images as attachments

      • can be followed with a subsequent comment, in order to provide new data, clarification, or response to other public comments

    • Source: https://www.regulations.gov/learn

  • 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:

    … and climbing-specific implications as outlined here:

    There are Wilderness areas within both BLM and USFS management, and some additional resources are available from these departments here:

    Map Tool:

  • Maybe! In Southern Nevada, on BLM Land, vehicles are ONLY welcome on “designated” roads. Designated and non-designated roads will be clearly marked on BLM land in Southern Nevada, especially within Red Rock Canyon NCA.

    The trailheads for many climbing crags can only be accessed with high clearance and/or off-road vehicles.

    Note that our local land managers take a specific interest in rock climbing access, and they have prioritized maintenance on certain roads, such as the one to Black Velvet Trailhead, on behalf of our user group. This is a result of collaboration efforts between BLM and SNCC!

    Here are some helpful links and resources, including maps and Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) regulations for NV, and every climber is responsible for showing good stewardship through their choices for off-road vehicle operation:

  • Maybe! First, consider 3 relevant locations: takeoff, operation, and landing. Then, make an educated and informed choice about your own actions and impacts.

    Note that drones are considered to be both “motorized equipment” and “mechanical transport” and as such they cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from congressionally designated Wilderness Areas.

    Perhaps even more importantly, though, remember the intent of the Wilderness designation and protection. Wilderness is where people seek primitive nature, solitude, and quiet, and consider whether drone operation could impact this experience for other people.

    Also learn the guidelines relevant to operation in the vicinity of wildlife, especially protected species, and take into account seasonal factors related to mating, nesting, or migration.

    As Friends of RRCNCA reminds us, visitors CAN fly drones for recreational purposes, provided that one does not disturb wildlife or other visitors.

  • Maybe! In most cases, land managers recognize that temporary need may arise for leaving gear on public land, like hanging an approach pack for return on the descent of a multipitch route, quickdraws left in unexpected inclement weather, etc. Land managers ARE supportive of these temporary needs, within existing policy for the specific land in question. They also hold gear that is occasionally turned in to Lost and Found by hikers attempting good deeds.

    Within RRCNCA, for example, gear cache policy varies by area, with up to 24 hours in day use areas, or 72 in other areas. Even in situations where a limit has been exceeded, land managers still support climbers by notifying SNCC for communication.

    Stashing bouldering pads or leaving project draws for an entire season is not allowed, interferes with enjoyment by other user groups, and often becomes trash when abandoned, so please use good judgment with what you choose to leave behind, and for how long.

  • 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: