Where & When We Climb

Climbing Sites

Atlantic Climbing School (ACS) offers Rock Climbing courses for all ages and abilities in

  • Acadia National Park
  • Camden, Maine
  • Mt Katahdin in Baxter State Park
  • And many other climbing areas around the world

Acadia National Park is located just down the road from our office and is highly regarded for its impeccable granite. Although there are certainly bigger cliffs to climb in many other areas of the country, none can match the singularly unique beauty of Acadia’s cliffs. From the granite slabs of the South Bubble overlooking Jordan Pond, the idyllic seaside location of Otter Cliffs, or the longer climbs found on the Precipice, Acadia offers a truly diverse range of climbing terrain. This diversity is fortunate for us and a huge benefit to our clients: it allows us to be selective in choosing a climbing site best suited to a particular client or course.

Camden, more classically known for its excellent sailing and sea kayaking, boasts an amazing selection of rock climbing, often overlooked by the weekend visitor. With views of Penobscot Bay and Megunticook Lake, the low-traffic cliffs in the Camden Hills are perfect for individuals, couples, families, and groups of all ages and abilities.

Atlantic Climbing School, like many businesses in coastal Maine, is a seasonal operation. We open our office doors in early May — when spring weather finally becomes suitable for rock climbing — and wrap up our coastal Maine operations by the end of October, when the brilliant leaves of autumn have fallen, the days have grown shorter, and we embark on our winter program.

Come November we migrate west to warmer temperatures and other climbing areas to continue climbing and guiding. Contact us in person, through email, or over the phone about off season schedules and destinations. Your next winter getaway could be the perfect climbing trip with Atlantic Climbing School.

Rock Climbing in Acadia National Park:

South Bubble

Perfect for kids or anyone who feels a little intimidated with the idea of rock climbing. The terrain at South Bubble presents several options and is a popular destination for our Family Climbing Experience courses.

 

 

 

Otter Cliffs

Spectacular climbing above the ocean, with many routes even a beginner can handle. This climbing area is a no-brainer for a climbing school: the setting alone puts a smile on a clients  face.

 

 

 

 

Precipice (a.k.a. the South Wall)

Not to be confused with the hiking trail of the same name (located farther north), this is our multi-pitch area. Not on the water, but it retains a seacliff feel with the proximity to the ocean and great views. A place to get off the ground — say, 200 feet.

 

 

 

Rock Climbing in Camden, Maine:

 

 

Barrett’s Cove Cliff

The ideal cliff for climbers of all abilities, Barrett’s offers beginner top ropes as well as classic multi-pitch routes. Those that reach the top are rewarded with views of Penobscot bay, Megunicook lake, and the Camden Snow bowl- the east’s only ski resort with views of the ocean. As with other venues within the Camden area, Barrett’s Cove cliff provides a crowd-free, peaceful climbing experience all summer long.

 

 

 

The Verticals

For more experienced individuals the Verticals offers an excellent selection of intermediate to advanced steep face climbs. An ideal day would be to start at Barrett’s cove cliff and warm up on lower-angle routes then walk five minutes to the Verticals for a perfect sampler of Camden’s  unique metamorphic Gneiss.

 

 

The Ramparts

Interested in learning to lead climb? The Ramparts has more moderate sport and traditional climbs along with hard steep test pieces. Only minutes from Barrett’s and from the Verticals by car, this seldom-visited crag nestled in the forest is a great place to get away and pull down on Camden’s  impressive stone.