Explore

AMGA Certified Guides
All Gear Included
Adventure of a Lifetime

Where the Fun Really Begins! (Ages 5 and Up)

Take your climbing and fun to the next level! Our six-hour Explore Climbing course is a private, custom course for families with kids, beginners and skilled rock climbers alike. Our guides will tailor the climbing experience to your level! During a six-hour Explore Climbing course, our climbing guides will meet you at the South Dakota Outdoor Shop in Custer, South Dakota at 7:45 am. Your guide will outfit you with all the necessary climbing equipment for your day. You will then travel to Sylvan Lake (roughly 12 minutes, transportation not provided), where a variety of climbing venues are available. Your guide will assess your skill level, and create a customized climbing adventure just for your party. If you want to climb as many summits as possible during your day, your guide will make that happen. Or if you would like to spend your day focusing on hard skills such as building anchors, placing trad gear, and becoming a more technical rock climber, your guide can do that as well. The important thing to remember is that this day is customized for YOU!

Ages 5 and up, parent or guardian MUST be present!

The meeting location and time for Palisades State Park courses will be specified in the trip confirmation email.

Locations

Custer State Park
Palisades State Park

Agenda

Skills Review
Routes Tailored to Ability
Learn to Rappel

Climbers Per Guide

3:1 maximum Custer State Park
4:1 maximum Palisades State Park

Pricing

Custer State Park
1 climber = $300
2 climbers = $225 / climber
3 climbers = $210 / climber
4 climbers = $225 / climber
5 climbers = $210 / climber
Groups 6+ = $200 / climber

Palisades State Park
1 climber = $275
2-4 climbers = $200 / climber

Notes

All Equipment is provided.
Ages 5 and up, Parent or guardian MUST be present!
For parties of 4+ please call to book your adventure.

Your Adventure Awaits

1. Schedule

Book online or call us to schedule the perfect adventure.
2. Instruction

Feel confident with certified instructors.
3. Climbing

Enjoy an adventure of a lifetime!

01-classic-crack

04-instruction

05-mykel-on-spire

06-opd-belayed-rappel

07-opd-conn-route

08-palisades-state-park

09-palisades-state-park-climber

10-smiling-reach

11-sunny-trees-on-hrum-hroom

12-victorious-photographers-custer-state-par

5 stars

It was the best 3 days in the past year !!!! Thank you Sylvan Rocks Climbing for fantastic experience!!!! I don't remember how I signed up for the Devils Tower climb 😂😂😂 but I am soooooo grateful to start my rock climbing journey with you guys!!!! My guide Doug is extremely interesting and kind person, has a lot of stories and knowledge about the region, is a professional plus a pretty good photographer 😉 When your guide keeps you smile all the way to the top it means a lot!!! Doug did everything to make me fall in love with rock climbing !!!! The Black Hills will always have special place in my heart ❤️!!!

5 stars

I reached out to Sylvan Rocks about attempting an ascent of Devil's Tower - and they were amazing! I fully recommend them to anyone interested in the Tower, in climbing at Custer State Park, or climbing on Mt. Rushmore itself. My guide for the week was Doug, and I can't recommend him enough. I have significant experience as a climber, and Doug was both respectful of my experience, and informative about how and why he was doing everything. We had a great three days of climbing - two days of warm-up and prep, and then a full-day of climbing on Devil's Tower itself. I got a ton of climbing in, and had an amazing time! I absolutely hope to come back again soon!

5 stars

What a fantastic morning!! Our family of 4 (two 40 something parents, 9 and 12 year old kids) did the 4 hr trip at Sylvan Lake and everyone had a blast. The guides seemed to have the perfect balance of encouragement, teaching, and gently nudging each of us out of our comfort zones. Highly recommend if you have adventurous, fearless kids.

The Highest Standards

Accredited by the American Mountain Guides Association

As the only AMGA Accredited Guide Service in the area, we are committed to a high standard of climbing professionalism. The AMGA is an internationally recognized association offering courses, exams and certifications designed to certify guides and instructors as well as accredit businesses.

Our Friends

Book Now Call Now