Climbing School Policies and Rate Info

Rock Climbing Course Policies

It is best to make reservations in advance. Since our climbing courses generally begin 8-8:30 am same day courses can be difficult to arrange, but not impossible. We fill our calendar on a first come first serve basis.

We will meet you at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore or the Palisades with all the rock climbing equipment needed for the day. Before climbing, liability waivers must be read and signed. Minors must have a parent or guardian available to sign the waivers at that time, or make prior arrangements. Clients under 16 years of age must have a parent or guardian attend the course with them. Parents or guardians need not take the course with them, but must be present.

We will provide all the needed rock climbing / mountain climbing equipment. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own, but we reserve the right to insist that you use ours if yours fails our safety inspection.

Deposit and Refund Policies

A deposit of $50 per day per person or $200 per youth group is required when reservations are made. Most often, deposits are held with a credit card. If you are not able to attend the course we will attempt to reschedule. If cancellations are made less then 30 days in advance of the course, and if we cannot reschedule, deposits will not be refunded.

The balance of the cost is due the morning of your course. Usually our guest prepay, or settle up while we are doing paperwork and getting ready to go in the morning. We accept cash, credit cards, and checks. If bad checks are written, we will charge the maximum returned check fee allowed by law. If you don't have the funds to climb with us, please don't.

If we cancel a course, every effort will be made to reschedule. If we are not able to find another date we will refund your deposit and payment in full.

What if the weather is bad? So long as the course can be safely offered, we will carry on. Once the course is half over we will not offer refunds, even in the event of bad weather. We will do our best to work with you to reschedule for the remainder of the course to be offered.

Sylvan Rocks is not responsible for other costs which may be incurred, such as park entrance fees to Custer State Park or Devils Tower National Monument, camping, lodging, or food.