Yesterday was a great beginning to ice climbing season — I can’t believe this is my fourth season of ice climbing! My friend and I made it out to Lake City, a small historical town in the northeast corner of Colorado’s breathtaking San Juan Mountains, after trying wild ice skating for the first time. This is my second trip out to Lake City and I’ve had great experiences both times and want to share a bit more about it to help you plan your first ice climbing trip out to Lake City Ice Park.
Lake City Ice Park
Lake City Ice Park is an ice climbing crag area in Colorado that has been around for a few years but not as long Ouray Ice Park. I believe the last addition to Lake City Ice Park was added around 2020-2021. The ice is all farmed so while they aren’t natural formations, they are stunning and there are advantages to climbing on these man-made ice walls.
For starters, it is very easy to access and there are multiple routes right next to each other which makes it a great place to practice and get in some laps.
Lake City Ice Park is located at the eastern end of San Juan Mountain’s Alpine Loop Scenic Byway which is closed in the wintertime. The ice park is conveniently located just 5 minutes from town and you can drive right up to the climbing walls which makes it very accessible and beginner-friendly.
Henson Creek runs along the man-made ice wall and once it freezes over typically in November/ December, the ice park is open until March, weather permitting.
There are three sections of ice climbing: the Beer Garden, Dynamite Shack, and Pumphouse Park. Each section has multiple climbing routes, with the lowest walls at the beginning of the first section (Beer Garden), a warming tent, firepit, porta-potty toilets, and its own parking area.
There are over 75 ice and mixed climbing routes when the ice park fully forms according to Lake City Ice Park.
Pack List for Ice Climbing:
- Boots: I have the Mammut Nordwand Knit but the popular options are Scarpa Phantom Tech and La Sportiva Nepal Cubes
- Shop Mammut Nordwand Knit GTX Mountaineering Boots
- Shop Scarpa Phantom Tech HD Mountaineering Boots
- Shop La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX Mountaineering Boots: Women’s Version and Mens Version
- Crampons: Petzl Dart Crampons
- Harness: a basic rock climbing harness works or an alpine climbing harness (I use both)
- Softshell Pants: Mammut Couramayeur
- Socks: I always wear merino wool hiking socks
- Gloves:
- For climbing, Hestra Ergo Grip gloves are my favorite but Eddie Bauer Guide Lite Gloves are a more budget-friendly alternative
- For belaying, a thicker pair of gloves like the Hestra Army Leather Gloves (these can double as mountaineering gloves)
- Parka: The North Face Pumori Parka is my absolute favorite but any parka will do to keep warm while belaying
- Hot water bottle: I’ve been using my stainless steel Camelbak travel mug to drink chicken soup or LMNT’s chocolate flavor mix. I highly recommend trying the second option — I’m not a fan of powder substances and electrolyte drinks but I am loving the chocolate raspberry flavor! It tastes like hot cocoa without the calories.
- Ice tools: this would depend on what you are climbing but overall I really like the Grivel Dark Machine and North Machine
Getting to Lake City CO
Lake City is a 4.5 hour drive from the Denver area. The ice park is one hour from Gunnison which is a great place to stay if you want to be in a “bigger” town with cheaper lodging but there’s a charm to staying in Lake City. The drive from Blue Mesa Reservoir is absolutely stunning.
Pro Tip: If you’re driving from the Denver area, I highly recommend stopping by Poncha Pub in Salida for lunch or dinner! The Godfather Sandwich toasted with cheddar bread was so good, particularly the bread.
Directions to Lake City Ice Park from Lake City, CO:
Google Maps doesn’t always get it right so screenshot this for your trip:
You access the ice park from Bluff St. This is parallel to Gunnison Ave which you will drive in on as you come into Lake City, CO. Turn right onto 2nd St, 3rd St, or 4th St, and then left onto Bluff St. You will see the first section of the ice walls at the end of the road. Do not turn down 1st st.
You can continue driving down the road along the ice wall to see the full climbing area and potential routes to determine which section you want to park and play in first.
Where to Stay:
Lake City is very close to the ice climbing area but there are not a lot of lodging options that you can book last minute. Gunnison has more standard motels and is only an hour drive.
Lake City Colorado Motels
📍 The North Face Lodge – located at the beginning of town and a short 1.2 mile drive to the ice park – click here to check availability on Booking.com
📍 This Vrbo rental is on the budget-friendly side, sleeps two, and has a hot tub — perfect way to end a day climbing ice.
📍 Texan Resort – there are 38 cabin units for rent each with kitchens — click here to check availability on Hotels.com
Gunnison Colorado Motels
📍 Budget-friendly: Days Inn & Suites — Check availability here
📍 Hostel: The Wanderlust Hostel — Great option for sola or couple travelers. Rent a bed or a full room. Check availability here.
📍 Something a little nicer: Holiday Inn Express Hotels & Suites is always a great standard hotel. Check availability here.
When To Go To Lake City Ice Park
I’ve made two trips out to Lake City Ice Park on Feb 28 – Mar 1, 2023, and Jan 4, 2024. The recent trip in January had some good ice coverage on the walls but not as much as my late-February trip the previous year. The walls were completely covered in ice in all 3 sections in late February last year (see photo above) but they currently are not all full in early January so I would assume the ice park forms more ice throughout the winter and a visit later in the season may be better.
I went on weekdays on both trips and didn’t see many other climbers so I’d recommend checking it out on a weekday for your choice of route.
Beginner-Friendly Ice Climbing & Ice Climbing Photos
There are many different routes ranging in difficulty from WI3 and up. It’s a great place for beginners and it’s where I am starting my ice climbing journey this season. I’ve found the easier routes to be in the first section and longer routes in the third section. While I haven’t climbed in the middle section, it looks to have more adventurous and engaging routes from a distance.
The park is free to access but there is also a donation box so please consider adding a little donation to Lake City Ice Park to help keep it running.
Lake City Co Altitude
Lake City, CO sits at an altitude of 8,661 ft. Because the altitude is higher to start with, I feel like an ice park provides a better experience in case you don’t do well with the high altitude. You can easily rest in the warming tent or car if you don’t feel well and try again later.
Colorado Ice Parks: Lake City vs Ouray
The only other ice park in Colorado I am familiar with is Ouray, where I first learned and forever holds a special place in my heart. I feel that is a great place for beginners to learn as well and you can read about my first ice climbing experience in Ouray here.
I am arranging a women’s Intro to Ice Climbing trip this season 2024 in Ouray, CO so if you are interested in learning more about that, subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of details.
Ice climbing at an ice park is like rock climbing in a crag area — it’s easier to learn for beginners with easier access. While Lake City doesn’t have local guide services right there to pop into an office and book a lesson, Ouray has a few. However, you could probably hire a guide from the Denver area to make a trip out to Lake City.
Lake City is about 4.5 hours from the front range and Ouray is about 5.5 hours.
The biggest downside to Lake City versus Ouray ice climbing parks for me is the lack of town atmosphere. Lake City is quieter and doesn’t seem like the town has a whole lot going on, which can be nice and my preference at times, while Ouray has a cute mountain town atmosphere and more options of places to go when you are done ice climbing, like hot springs and restaurants.
The Wrap-Up: Ice Climbing in Lake City Colorado
While ice climbing is fun, be sure you have the proper guide, partner, or experience.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Have you tried ice climbing?
Booking travel soon?
Please consider using my affiliate links below. It costs nothing additional for you but helps me maintain the ever-increasing costs of running a travel blog:
General travel through Tripadvisor here.
Book your flights here.
Book your accommodations here on Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and VRBO.
Book your car rentals here.
Book your tours here.
Book your travel insurance here.