About Camp Hale

Take I-70 to the Minturn exit (171). Follow Highway 24 south, through the town of Minturn, and continue a total distance of 14 miles from the interstate until you reach a valley opening. Look for the first major turnoff on the left (east) side onto a dirt road entering Camp Hale.

From Grand Junction: approximately 150 miles
From Denver: approximately 105 miles

Camp Hale Rock Climbing

Maps

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History

The historic site of  Camp Hale is where the 10th Mountain Division trained for winter mountainous warfare during World War II. The fourteen thousand men that were trained here fought heroically in the mountains of Northern Italy.  The Camp was constructed in 1942.  At the peak of activity, there were 1022 buildings, plus other features such as parade grounds, a hospital, recreation areas, stables, and gunnery ranges to support the troops stationed here. The camp was established here because of the natural setting of a large, flat valley bottom, surrounded by steep hillsides suitable for training in skiing, rock climbing, and  cold weather survival.

Camp Hale was dismantled in the 1960’s. Today, little remains of Camp Hale other than a few foundations, the rifle range and ski slopes.

Elevation:  9,200 Feet
Season:  Summer to Fall
 

Climbing
 

Almost all climbing at Camp Hale is bolt protected sport climbing. The rock varies from wall to wall, some resemboling quartzite or granite while others resemble limestone. The routes on these walls  are vertical to overhanging and are well bolted. All have two bolt anchors.

Camping

Camp Hale Memorial Campground is maintained by the US Forest Service. Reservations here must be made at least 4 days in advance. Reservations are taken from May through August and can be made at  www.reserveamerica.com. Without reservations sites are available on a first come - first served basis outside the reservation season.

Free camp sites can be found on McAllister Road.

Style and Standards

Please abide by the following:

• NEVER alter existing routes! If the protection on a particular route does not suit your liking or ability, choose another climb.
• NEVER chip, chisel, glue, or scar the rock.
• Do not squeeze routes in-between other established routes.
• Avoid establishing new climbing on crags immediately above the road.  They are a hazard to you and passer-byers.
• All new climbs should include anchors if an obvious or established descent is not present.