While our programs and services are geared towards the GVSU community, general public are welcome at our facility. Participants will find fun and thoughtful climbs at a variety of difficulty levels. 

The Climbing Center is located in the Finkelstein Athletic Village. This complex ties together the Rec Center, Arena, & Pool with the Climbing Wall located in the central-most part between each of these facilities. Pro-tip - if you're asked to scan your ID for entry, you're at the Rec Center and not in the correct place.

Parking - GVSU Student commuters will find the nearest parking in Lot C. Faculty/ Staff in Lots C & E. General public visitors who do not have a parking pass will find a pay-to-park lot adjacent to the Laker Market Place (bookstore). Please visit the parking website for additional details and hours of enforcement.

Participants are encouraged to create an account & sign the waiver before they visit. While not required, it does speed up the check-in process.

Participants over 18...
will be automatically prompted to sign the waiver digitally as part of creating the account.

Participants under 18...
require their Parent or Legal Guardian's signature on the waiver. Older siblings, relatives, or baby sitters do not qualify as legal guardians. This will be a 2-step process, detailed below

1. Create an account in the minor Participant's name
   1. Select the General Public affiliation
   2. for Email check the box indicating user does not have an email address. If you attempt to enter an email of someone already in the system (e.g. a parent), you will get an error.
2. Upon submitting the information to create an account, the legal guardian will be emailed a link to sign the waiver on behalf of the minor.
   1. Lookup the minor's account using their last name and birthdate & sign the waiver.

All climbers must check-in before getting on the wall.  Expect your first visit to take 5-10 minutes for checking-in.

First Visit Check-in includes:

1. Payment, if applicable (GV students & staff climb for FREE)
2. A brief overview of our wall, climbing etiquette and general expectations
3. Rental gear distribution, fit, & adjustment
   1. Rental equipment is available for those that need it (shoes, harness, belay device). Participants are welcome to bring personal climbing equipment. All personal equipment must be manufactured specifically for rock climbing and be in good condition.

During our Open Climb times, our staff are at your service.  We are happy to recommend a few good climbs, tie your knots, handle your ropes (belay) & and answer any questions you might have. 

New to climbing? You will have the opportunity to participate in 2 styles of climbing:

• Bouldering - Climbing low to the ground (< 13 ft) without the use of all the technical gear (ropes, harnesses, belay devices, etc...).
• Top Roping - Ascending the wall with the protection of a rope that is anchored at the top.

Feel free to climb using any of the rocks on the wall. If you would like to make it more challenging, try limiting yourself to only using a specific color of rock. These are intentionally set "routes" that will change periodically throughout each semester. The staff are happy to explain the rating systems we use for route difficulty.

Belaying your friends - All participants who have been trained to belay (i.e. control the rope for a climber) but have not belayed in our facility before must pass a brief safety check with one of our staff before belaying. Belay lessons are available upon request.

Experienced climber? Sport lead climbing is also available within most of our wall (safety check required). Rope and quickdraws are provided.  

Day Pass $10

Rental Equipment
Harness $1
Shoes $2
Belay Device FREE*

Memberships
10 Punch Pass $85
(w/ gear rental) ($110)

1 Month $50
(w/ gear rental) ($65)

Semester $140 
(w/ gear rental) ($180)

12 Month $350
(w/ gear rental) ($400)

Instruction
Belay Lesson $12

Belay & Lead
Checks FREE
 
* Belay qualification required.

Day Pass $7

Rental EquipmentHarness $1Shoes $2Belay Device FREE*

Memberships10 Punch Pass $60(w/ gear rental) ($85)

1 Month $35(w/ gear rental) ($50)

Semester $100 (w/ gear rental) ($140)

12 Month $265(w/ gear rental) ($300)

InstructionBelay Lesson $7

Belay & LeadChecks FREE
* Belay qualification required