Forest Service Proposes First National Policy for Recreational Climbing on Public Lands

The U.S. Forest Service will publish a proposed climbing directive in the Federal Register and initiate a 30-day public comment period. This proposal establishes the agency’s first national direction for managing recreational climbing opportunities on national forests and grasslands that will include guidance for the use and maintenance of fixed anchors and equipment. 

According to information from the Forest Service, the updated proposal replaces a 2023 draft that was overtaken by new requirements in the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, signed into law January 4, 2025. The EXPLORE Act directs federal land management agencies to recognize recreational climbing – including certain fixed anchors – as an appropriate use in congressionally designated wilderness areas. 

By law, the Forest Service must develop a climbing directive, consistent with the goals stated in Executive Order 14219. The proposed policy can be viewed and comments submitted through the Comment and Analysis Response Application.