Access Fund celebrates big wins for climbing access and conservation in 2025, building toward 35th anniversary in 2026
Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, made significant strides in 2025 furthering its mission to protect climbing for future generations.
With the support of its members, donors and local partners, Access Fund achieved numerous important victories for the climbing community last year, including:
Worked to preserve access at 191 climbing areas across the U.S.
Supported 27 climbing areas with conservation and rebolting grants.
Delivered 4,078 volunteer hours stewarding America’s crags.
Constructed or maintained 7,042 feet of trails to protect resources and improve access.
Provided $160,886 to local climbing organizations through grants and joint membership.
Opened 6 private properties to climbing through advocacy, partnership and acquisition.
Logged 245 hours representing climbers in Washington, D.C.
Engaged climbers in 16,450 Climber Steward conversations on responsible outdoor ethics.
One of the year’s marquee achievements was the launch of its Red Rock Climber Steward Program at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada. The program provides education—at the trailhead and crag—by trained Stewards on responsible recreation and resource protection at one of the country’s busiest climbing destinations.
Through its Climbing Conservation Loan Program (CCLP), Access Fund helped local climbing organizations across the country acquire land to secure climbing access for future generations. Three high-impact projects included:
Farley Ledges, Massachusetts: Supported the Western Massachusetts Climbers’ Coalition in purchasing a 70-acre property to protect access, improve parking, and manage use at an iconic New England crag.
Lower Ghost Town, North Carolina: Partnered with Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) to purchase 17 acres and more than 50 established routes at a historic cliff band to safeguard long-term public access. Access Fund’s Conservation Team is now working with CCC on erosion control and trail development to ensure sustainable access to the area.
Little Brushy, Tennessee: Continued to work with Southeastern Climbers Coalition to secure a long-term lease for 209 acres of single-pitch sport climbing outside Chattanooga.
Access Fund also delivered critical legal and policy outcomes for climbers in 2025, including securing an emergency court order to protect Oak Flat, a sacred and nationally significant climbing area in Arizona. Access Fund also made significant progress in supporting the implementation of its landmark legislation, the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing Act (PARC), which was signed into law in January 2025. This, alongside its ongoing advocacy work in Washington, D.C., ensures climbers have a strong voice in decisions that shape access and public lands.
“Climbers across the country stepped up in 2025. Their support is reflected in every access win, every new trail, and every Climber Steward conversation,” said Access Fund Executive Director, Heather Thorne. “2026 marks three and a half decades of protecting access, shaping climbing management and public lands policy on Capitol Hill, and inspiring the community to be good stewards of climbing areas across the country. As we head into 2026, we’re more committed than ever to protecting the places we climb for future generations.”
Access Fund could not do any of this without the support of its members, donors, volunteers, and critically— its local climbing organization partners. As Access Fund approaches its 35th anniversary in 2026, it is poised to expand stewardship programs, support more acquisitions, and deepen policy and education efforts to ensure healthy, accessible climbing for generations to come.
For more information, including how to become a member of Access Fund and your local climbing organization, visit accessfund.org.
