The call for action comes as federal land management agencies release draft guidance for managing climbing on public lands
Boulder, Colo. (June 17, 2026) — Access Fund, the national advocacy organization for sustainable access and conservation of climbing landscapes, is calling on climbers to speak up in response to newly released climbing management guidance from the U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The guidance—issued by the National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS)—stands to shape how America’s climbing is managed for decades to come.
The climbing management guidance is required under the Protecting America’s Rock Climbing (PARC) Act, a bipartisan law passed in 2025 as part of the EXPLORE Act. The PARC Act directs federal agencies to recognize climbing activities, including the placement and maintenance of fixed anchors, as an appropriate use on federally designated Wilderness. It also allows climbing routes established before January 4, 2025, to be used and maintained in perpetuity—ensuring historic climbing areas like El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, the Diamond in Rocky Mountain National Park, the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range, and Rainbow Wall at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area remain accessible.
Before the guidance is finalized, NPS, BLM and FWS are required to accept public comments for 60-days, which opened June 15th. The USFS guidance is open to public comments for 30-days, starting June 18th. To ensure the final guidance keeps America’s climbing areas open, protects historic climbing areas, and retains the integrity of Wilderness areas, climbing and outdoor communities need to come together to show strong and unified support. We’re asking climbers to learn more, and submit comments using our easy letter-writing tool at accessfund.org/take-action.
The draft policies align with the PARC Act and previous federal policies that allow standard climbing safety practices while protecting wilderness character. The NPS, BLM, and FWS draft policies address only Wilderness climbing management, while the USFS draft policy applies to both Wilderness and non-Wilderness climbing areas—roughly 30% of America’s climbing. The four draft policies share the determination that fixed anchors are allowable in Wilderness, but differ in technical elements. The draft guidance is an important course correction from the 2023 NPS and USFS proposals that would have restricted climbing access, created safety risks, erased historic climbing routes, and imposed costly management burdens.
Access Fund supports the draft policies; however, it is recommending several essential technical revisions and clarifications, including consistent fixed-anchor definitions, and practical new climbing route management and fixed anchor maintenance.
“America’s public lands offer a wide range of exceptional climbing experiences. When climbing in Wilderness areas, climbers need to exercise restraint and low-impact practices to maintain the character of the land, and ensure that future generations have the opportunity to experience these wild spaces.” said Heather Thorne, Executive Director of Access Fund. “The draft climbing management guidance can be improved, but the spirit of the policies protects America’s climbing legacy, and the spirit of adventure.”
Climbing and outdoor brands that supported the PARC Act through its legislative journey are joining Access Fund in encouraging public comments. Companies like Black Diamond are helping spread the word to their communities about why this moment matters for the future of America’s climbing.
“At Black Diamond, our equipment helps climbers push farther, explore deeper, and experience the full spectrum of climbing opportunities on America's public lands.” said Jess Powell, Advocacy & Sustainability Manager at Black Diamond Equipment. “We're pleased to see an approach to climbing management that helps protect access to climbing adventures while supporting the stewardship of the landscapes that make them possible.”
How to get involved
Climbers are encouraged to learn more and submit comments at accessfund.org/take-action.
About Access Fund
Access Fund is the national advocacy organization that leads and inspires the climbing community toward sustainable access and conservation of the climbing environment. Access Fund represents more than 8 million climbers nationwide in its work to protect and conserve the land, fight for sustainable access, and build a community of inspired advocates. Access Fund staff have more than 100 years of public policy and advocacy experience and have permanently protected nearly 4 million acres of public land across the country, establishing climbers as a powerful voice in the fight to protect public lands. For more information, visit accessfund.org.