+ What is UpTown Climbing?

UpTown Climbing is Louisiana’s premier indoor rock climbing facility, located in Baton Rouge. We offer classes, group events, memberships, other services, and of course, lots of indoor rock climbing.

+ Where are you located?

We are in Baton Rouge, LA, convenient to I-12. Click here for a map and driving directions.

+ Do I need any experience to climb?

No. After you sign our waiver, we will provide you a brief orientation that allows you to climb on our auto-belays and our 90’ long bouldering wall. If you take and pass our belay class, you can climb throughout the gym.

+ Can groups climb?

Yes but be sure to read our Walk-in Group Policy. Our facility has dedicated rooms to host both parties and groups. We also offer programs for large groups - just give us a call.

+ What is belaying?

Belaying is a method of rope management used to prevent a climber from falling to the ground.

+ What are auto-belays?

Auto-belays are mechanical devices that slowly lower a climber to the ground in the event of a fall. Auto-belays allow climbers to climb rope wall sections without a belay partner. Weight limits on the auto-belays are between 25 and 310 pounds.

+ What are top-roping, bouldering, and lead climbing?

Top-roping, bouldering, and lead climbing are the three primary types of climbing:

• Top-roping – Top rope climbing is where the climber is connected to a rope that passes through an anchor system at the top of the climb and back down to a belayer at the bottom of the climb. As the climber ascends, the belayer is responsible for both taking slack out of the rope to shorten the distance of the fall as well as “braking” the rope to catch the climber if they fall.
• Bouldering – a type of climbing without the use of ropes or harnesses but at limited heights above the ground. Since all bouldering falls are “ground falls”, bouldering employs ground padding to reduce the likelihood of injury.
• Lead Climbing – an advanced form of belayed rope climbing where the climber pulls the rope up with them as they climb and clip the rope to anchors as they go. The belayer gives slack to the rope to allow the climber to ascend to the next anchor, take slack out of the rope after the climber clips each anchor point, and brake to catch the climber if they fall.

+ Do I need to sign a waiver to climb?

Yes. All patrons of the gym, even if not climbing, must sign our Visitor Agreement. For children under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign on their behalf. We encourage visitors to complete our Online Waiver in advance of their visit.

+ Are there age restrictions to climb?

Any age 3+ may climb, however very young children may only climb on the high walls if they are large enough to fit into one of our safety harnesses and are at least 25 pounds, the lower weight limit of our auto-belays. Otherwise they will be limited to a small area of the bouldering wall.

Children under 18 must have waivers signed by a parent or court-appointed guardian.

Age requirements include:

1. Children must be at least 16 to belay, top rope, or lead climb without adult supervision.
2. Children must be at least 14 to use auto belays without adult supervision. Children 13 and under found clipping themselves will have their harnesses taken and privileges revoked.
3. Children must be at least 12 to boulder without direct adult supervision.

+ Do you have climbing options for children?

• Yes! In fact, we have dedicated group space great for hosting parties.
• We also offer kids' camps, clubs, and have a competitive youth climbing team.

+ I don’t have any equipment – can I still climb?

Yes. We rent shoes, harnesses, and chalk bags for a nominal price.

+ What should I wear?

NO SHIRTLESS OR SPORTS BRA climbing allowed. At least a tank top is required.

We recommend comfortable, loose fitting or stretchy clothing. Yoga tights, sweat pants, and long shorts are good options, but people do climb in blue jeans as well.

Jewelry should be removed. It can snag on climbing holds and equipment and can cause severe injury.

+ Do I need a partner to climb?

No. If you do not have a climbing partner you may still climb using our auto-belays or on the bouldering wall.

You can also sign up on our “Need a Climbing Partner” sheet to get in touch with a kindred spirit.

+ How much does it cost?

All of our pricing can be found on the Pricing Page. Our Day Passes allow you to climbing for the entire day. Yoga and other classes are separate. The fitness area is for members only. Visit our Join Up page for membership details.

+ Do you sell gift cards?

Yes! We have gift cards available for purchase at the front desk or online in any amount.

+ I’m already a climber – what do I need to do?

Buy a Day Pass, Punch Pass, or Membership!

On your first visit, experienced climbers will need to sign a waiver (or complete our Online Waiver), go through our gym orientation, and demonstrate your belay skills to one of our staff. We practice the PBUS belay technique, and it must be used at all times in our gym.

+ Can I do waivers for all the kids?

NO! Our waivers/visitor agreements MUST be completed by a child's parent or court-appointed legal guardian. Aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. DO NOT count. The agreement is available on our website and we encourage it be read and completed online, in advance. A waiver is not complete until the link in the validation email is clicked. Please be sure parents check spam/junk mail if they don’t receive it.

+ I’m just a parent who’s watching, do I need a waiver?

Yes. Everyone who enters the gym needs to sign the visitor agreement, even if just spectating or looking around.

+ I’m concerned about kids not getting enough climbing time. How do you manage that?

We staff parties on a 1/5 ratio. If you book for 10 we provide 2 staff, for 20 we will have 4 staff. That means one rope station per 5 kids. We've found that works pretty well. Also the mid climb party break can be shortened a little if you want.

+ How many people can fit in the party room?

Our room can comfortably accommodate up to 20 kids around the tables with some perimeter seating for a few adults. Beyond that, it is standing room only.

+ I booked a party for 10 kids but 12 showed up. What happens?

Less climbing, more money. We schedule staff for parties in advance, so we will only have planned for 2 staff. That means slightly longer lines to climb. Also, you will be charged for the addition two children. Of course, we will do our best to schedule additioanl staff for the party, so please give us notice as soon as possible.

+ I booked a party for 15 kids but 10 showed up. What happens?

We will have booked 3 staff for the event. We will only charge you for the 10 climbers rather than 15 planned, however we will charge you $30 to cover our costs for the extra staff member. The 10 remaining kids will get more climbing in as a result.

+ Where do the kids get to climb?

As part of the party package, a reserved area is designated exlusively for the party. Party kids are expressly restricted from the mezzanine and boulder area. We ask parents to help keep the kids organized and ensure they follow the rules, as our staff members will be busy getting the kids Up and down the walls.

+ Does the initial walk-through/orientation take time out of the 2 hours?

We don’t do a walk-through for parties because they are chaperoned by our staff. We spend a few minutes in the party room going over party/facility rules and getting kids into their harnesses. It is an abbreviated version of the normal orientation. Yes, it does count as part of the 2 hours, so we request everyone get here 15 minutes in advance so that we can get you checked in.

+ Can we rent the party room for additional time?

We only have 30 minutes between parties so that’s not really an option other than booking back-to-back time slots in which case the cost would be double.

+ Can we bring our own drinks, cake, and food?

Absolutely! That is what we recommend. We have a small fridge and freezer in the party room for you to use during your party. Most parties order pizza delivered to the gym and also roll in a cooler with drinks.