1. Public Lands
The third (and newest) place to climb in the Kennesaw area is the Public Lands Store in Town Center Commons, which contains a bona fide miniature climbing gym. The wall is standard-issue—it’s about 30 feet high and equipped with four ropes, three of which have auto-belays. There’s also a small bouldering area. Like other gyms, the store hosts regular community events, including family nights, home-school nights, and youth climbing nights, each of which happens once per week. The biggest difference from a regular climbing gym: Instead of offering day-passes, Public Lands charges hourly for wall use during community events (and via 15-minute slots if you want to book the whole wall for a group of four during regular hours), with numerous free climbing days at other store events.
2. Stone Summit
Located near Town Center Mall (just 8 minutes east of downtown Kennesaw), Stone Summit Climbing and Fitness is a world-class facility with expansive bouldering, top-rope, and lead walls. Because it’s one of the biggest gyms in the country, it occasionally hosts national-level climbing competitions and has a competitive youth team. That said, you don’t have to be an elite-level climber to feel at home here. The staff works hard to cultivate a welcoming atmosphere. As such, they offer great beginner climbing classes, accessible route-setting, and climbing camps for kids. Another bonus: Membership gives you access to all four of Stone Summit’s locations, including its bouldering gyms in Atlanta and Midtown.
3. Escalade
Located in north Kennesaw, Escalade Indoor Rock Climbing is the town’s original climbing gym. But don’t let the old-school look fool you; this is a real-deal fitness facility with modern training equipment (think campus boards, aerial silks, and auto-belays). Here, community comes first. College students get discounted passes for regular college nights, and Kennesaw State University students get in for free once per month. Escalade is also Kennesaw’s most family-friendly gym. Its kids’ area offers everything from puzzle-piece-shaped holds to light-up walls, and the gym hosts regular summer camps, home-school days, and other youth events.
4. The Overlook
One of the more diverse gyms in the Atlanta area, The Overlook Bouldering + Fitness works hard to make climbing accessible for everyone. It hosts regular Pride nights, offers affordable outdoor gear rentals, and sets aside 5 percent of its memberships to those in need at a reduced rate. While it’s a bit of a trek from Kennesaw (35 minutes without traffic), Overlook’s central Atlanta location is ideal for those who work downtown. Join the active evening bouldering crowd for an after-work session, or knock out some reps in the weight room while you ride out rush hour.
5. Wall Crawler
If you’re looking for a laid-back gym with inexpensive membership options, Wall Crawler Rock Club should top your list. Established back in the 1990s, Wall Crawler is one of Atlanta’s first climbing gyms. Today it proudly maintains that old-school vibe and offers top-notch programming without taking itself too seriously. Located near Little Five Points, the gym is about 40 minutes from downtown Kennesaw, making it another great option for those who work in Atlanta (or don’t mind the drive). Women looking for female climbing partners should check out the weekly Ladies’ Nights, while students should target Fridays for discounted day-passes. The gym also offers summer camps and rowdy local competitions that welcome participants of all ability levels.
