Return to Legacy Site Shelf Road Recreation Area

Return to Legacy Site Shelf Road Recreation Area

September 3, 2019 by Alex Hladkyj

Shelf Road Recreation Area, located approximately 11 miles north of Cañon City, Colorado, and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is best known for its world-class sport climbing. People travel from all over the world to test their crimping skills on Shelf's stellar limestone crags. In addition to climbing, the area offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. RMFI began working with the BLM in 1991 to address recreation impacts in the area. Since that time, RMFI has constructed a sustainable trail infrastructure linking climbing areas, parking lots, and campgrounds. After a brief hiatus from this project location, RMFI will return this fall season to do some exciting work alongside some of our great project partners of the climbing community. 

In addition to the BLM, RMFI is partnering with the American Alpine Club (AAC) and Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance (PPCA) to run two project weekends. RMFI will first lead community volunteers in climbing access trail improvements during an extended National Public Lands Day weekend (September 27th – 30th). Then in October, RMFI will team up with PPCA to advance trail maintenance and construction of belay platforms during the annual Shelf Road Craggin’ Classic. Also during the Craggin' Classic, RMFI will be running Leave No Trace workshops catered specifically to climbers. Participants in either stewardship project and/or LNT workshops will be entered into a raffle with sweet prizes from the following sponsors:

  • Black Diamond
  • BLDG Active
  • Static Climbing
  • Pure Bouldering
  • Gearonimo Sports
  • Organic Climbing

Sign up today on our calendar to give back, be an LNT champion, and win cool stuff!

Volunteers Improve Belay Platforms During National Public Lands Day at Shelf Road in 2015.