Thanks to our location next to Rocky Mountain National Park, Cheley campers have easy access to terrific climbing sites that accommodate various levels of difficulty and expertise. Our program includes a climbing wall and several well-known climbing sites throughout the Estes Park Valley. The wall allows climbers to practice smaller holds and overhang techniques. The outdoor sites provide greater vertical gains in varying degrees of difficulty, paired with the inspiring beauty of snow-covered peaks.


An overwhelming sense of pride comes with pulling oneself up a mountain wall. Like many mountain adventures, the sweat and challenge of a good climb are rewarded at the top. Most of our climbing occurs on the spectacular Christmas Tree Rock located on Cheley property. When you venture off-site, an afternoon scaling Lily Mountain or Lumpy Ridge delivers breathtaking views of Longs Peak, Meeker Peak and the entire Estes Park Valley.

Technical climbing at Cheley is a single pitch, top rope program that encompasses all aspects of the sport, including climbing, belaying and repelling. The term culminates with the option to visit Jurassic Park where you climb the vertical face of the Edge of Time or Tyrolean traverse a suspended rope from one mountain pillar to another.

Kent Mountain Adventure Center (KMAC), of Estes Park, heads up the climbing program. KMAC is known for its climbing expertise, and has a longstanding arrangement with Cheley to teach the campers. KMAC and its guides structure the program providing climbing instruction and associated equipment, including helmets, shoes, ropes and harnesses. Cheley counselors also assist, teaching, and modeling appropriate technique. Cheley counselors provide teaching and supervision on the indoor climbing wall and are trained by the KMAC staff.