Welcome to Crux Climbing Center, Austin’s premier facility for climbing, bouldering, yoga, and fitness. We’re so glad you found us! We have a lot to offer, so there’s a lot to learn. In order to maximize the time you can spend enjoying the facility, please read through the steps below. This will help you get to the good stuff ASAP on your first visit.
1 – Complete the Waiver
All visitors must complete the Waiver in order to use the facility.
Anyone under 18 MUST have a parent or legal guardian complete the waiver for them, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are bringing in someone else’s child, the parent or legal guardian of the child needs to fill out the waiver ahead of time online.
We strongly recommend that you complete and submit the agreement online before you arrive. It will be waiting for you when you arrive and will help you get to climbing sooner. If you don’t have access to a printer or just forget to knock this out in advance, kiosks are available for you in our welcome area.
2 – Orientation
Safety is our top priority at Crux Climbing Center. Every first-time visitor must complete our general orientation. This includes a facility overview and bouldering training. You will have access to all of the bouldering walls after orientation.
Orientation is usually brief, but that can vary depending on the size of the group. Experienced climbers should budget 5-10 minutes for this session; novices may need between 15 and 30 minutes before they are comfortable getting started.
We offer auto-belay climbing, giving you the freedom to climb the taller walls without the need for an engaged partner or more advanced training. Climbing with auto-belays is a lot fun and is very easy to do.
3 – Optional Gear
Climbing shoes, harnesses and other gear are not required for climbing, but they are highly recommended. You will find all of the equipment you need to get started in our shop, or you can rent gear from us. BONUS, gear is free on your first visit. Everyone is a snowflake, so shoe and harness sizing can take a few minutes to get right.
4 – Optional Climbing Certification
Rope climbing and belaying at Crux are advanced styles of climbing that require staff certification. If you are new to climbing, we will be happy to show you the ropes (pun totally intended). Auto-belay training & certification is quick and takes roughly 10-20 minutes depending upon group size. For top-rope training, we have classes that occur every Tuesday and Thursday. These classes require 24/hr notice. Lead climbing and belaying training must be scheduled in advance. Classes are 3 hours and you must already be CruxCC top-rope certified. Please see our classes page for more information on registering for a class.
If you have experience in climbing or belaying on top-rope or lead, our staff will need to verify your proficiency. Don’t take it personally—we believe that you’re amazing, but safety comes first! Please budget 10-20 minutes for this. Testing is performed by staff, as time permits and is free for the first try. If you do not pass, all other attempts will be $9.
FAQ
What do you offer?
What does a day pass get you?
Do I need a partner to climb?
Is there an age limit?
Do you have kid-friendly areas or day care?
Do you offer any discounts?
Do you offer birthday packages?
Do you have locker rooms?
Can I rent gear from Crux?
What do I wear?
Do I need special shoes?
Are there other amenities offered nearby?
My Child is 5 or under, do I still pay full price for a day pass?
Can I bring in another person’s child?
dO you allow dogs?
What do you offer?
Crux Climbing Center is a 22,000 sqft facility which includes climbing terrain, a yoga studio, a workout area, and a climbing gear shop. Climbing areas have been divvied up into 3 zones: The main hall, the Panda-monium room, and the cave. All climbing areas have been designed to foster a sense of community and comfort—we encourage you to relax in a comfy chair and observe your contemporaries when you’re not on the wall!
The main hall includes our rope canyon, bouldering corral, and transformer bouldering wall. The rope canyon is 30 feet tall and offers auto-belays, top rope, and lead climbing. The bouldering corral is 16 feet tall and may be topped out. The Future Wall, a unique 16-18 foot feature, allows us to completely reconfigure the wall and offer you new terrain. You’ll never get bored at Crux.
The Panda-monium Room is perfect for kids up to 12 years old and may be rented out for birthday parties. See below for more info on that topic. The overall vibe at Crux is one of fun and adventure, but the Panda-monium Room fully embodies that mindset. See for yourself when you come check out our auto-belay, fire poles, and a slide!
The cave has the steepest terrain in town and is perfect for logging mega miles. You’ll find few vacant t-nuts in here. This is a place where your creativity reigns supreme.
Our climbing store has everything you could need, whether you’re just getting started with your first gear or are continuing to fulfill a lifelong passion for climbing and fitness.
What does a day pass get you?
What doesn’t a day pass include might be easier to answer. A day pass at Crux Climbing Center gains you full access to the facility for an entire day. Climb until you’re hungry, step out for a bite to eat, then return for more any time throughout the day. This pass also gives you access to yoga and fitness classes, as well as fitness equipment. Gear packages are complimentary for first time visitors only. Day passes can only be used at one location per day.
Do I need a partner to climb?
Climbing can be a wonderful way to socialize, but unless you are wanting to climb top-rope or lead routes (which require a belayer), no, you do not need to have a partner in order to climb. Bouldering and auto-belay climbing can both be enjoyed solo.
Is there an age limit?
Climbing can be a lifelong pursuit. No age is too young, so we welcome all ages. For everyone’s safety, we require that individuals younger than 13 be accompanied by an adult at all times in no more than a 1:4 (parent:child) ratio. Kids younger than 13 may be granted the freedoms of an adult if they can display competency and dedication to our safety policies and rules. The same age limit and expectations apply to youth who wish to belay and lead climb.
Do you have kid-friendly areas or day care?
Kid-friendly? Yes! Our Panda-monium Room is perfect for kids. We’ve had kids as young as 2 years enjoy the kids room, and can typically harness most 3+ year olds.
Do you offer any discounts?
We have a wide variety of discounts for members in the community. Please check our Discounted Rates page for specific details.
Do you offer birthday packages?
We love kiddos and hope you consider Crux for their next birthday party…or even yours! Please check our Parties and Groups section for more details.
Do you have locker rooms?
We’ve put a lot of time and thought into our locker rooms and we hope you enjoy them. Day use of lockers is complimentary, but we do charge a small fee of $10 for long-term locker rentals. You can obtain a free lock for day use from the front desk in exchange for collateral.
Can I rent gear from Crux?
We have you covered, don’t worry. You can rent shoes, chalk bags, harnesses, belay devices, and lead rope at the front desk. For prices check our Rates page. If you decide you want to purchase your own gear, check out our rock climbing store!
What do I wear?
Climbing can put you in some interesting positions. Tight or restrictive attire can make for an unpleasant experience, both for you and for those around you. While there is no specific required attire, we do have a few restrictions. Rings, watches, key chains, hoop or dangly earrings should not be worn. Anything that could get caught on part of the climbing terrain or in belay equipment and take part of you or your clothing with it should be removed. Using headphones or earbuds means you may not be able to hear others who may be trying to communicate with you. Please make sure the volume is low enough, so that you can hear what is going on around you. Other than that, just dress comfortably in attire that you would wear for other active endeavors.
Do I need special shoes?
Climbing shoes are not required, but some form of closed toe shoes are. If you’d like to get the best out of your climbing experience though, climbing shoes are a must. First-time visitors are provided these for free. After that, shoes and other equipment may be rented for a $5 +tax. Should you choose to wear your own shoes, we strongly recommend that you wear outdoor shoes, preferably thin soled shoes. They’ll grip better, and anyways, we don’t want you to scuff up your nice kicks.
Are there other amenities offered nearby?
Yes! One of the best things about Crux is the amazing ‘hood. Our site features Cosmic Coffee and Beer with food trucks including Leroy and Lewis BBQ and Pueblo Viejo tacos. We hope you come to climb and linger longer to check out the one-of-a-kind food and drinks.
My child is 5 or under, do I still pay full price for a day pass?
Kids 5 and under can climb for $12, unless the parent or guardian is a member, and then the kiddo can climb for free!
Can I bring in another person’s child?
You are allowed to bring in a child that is not your own, as long as the child’s parent or legal guardian has signed the waiver online for them.
Do you allow dogs?
Yes, we love our furry friends. Please see our full list of Doggy Dos and Donts here.
