CAC’s climbing walls are located at the Evanston and Lakeview locations. Visit the indoor walls at Lakeview and Evanston year round. The Lincoln Park outdoor climbing wall is currently undergoing renovation.

EAC and LVAC boast some of the highest quality climbing walls in the country, ranging from 40 – 65 feet tall, offering top-rope and lead climbing on indoor and outdoor walls, as well as three bouldering caves. With over 40 routes ranging from 5.7 – 5.13, our walls provide the best terrain for beginners and experts alike!

*Everyone that climbs at the CAC clubs needs to have a waiver on file with us. Minors need their guardians to fill a waiver out prior to getting on the wall. Please download the waiver to bring to your first class. Non-members must purchase a club day pass ($35) to get access to the wall.

NEW TO CLIMBING

Whether you are brand new or you want to get back into climbing, this section is for you!

Introductory Climb

Open to both members and non-members ages 16+, Introductory Climb is the best way to jump start your climbing adventure with an instructor on hand to tie you in and belay, all you have to worry about is getting to the top, or working hard on in the bouldering cave. We have everything you need here (complimentary climbing shoes and a harness), just wear something comfortable that isn’t too baggy or too short. This is not a class, but the best way to experience what climbing at CAC is all about! Click here to view our daily scheduled Introductory climbs!

Interested in Learning the Ropes?

We have a full schedule of classes for ages 5 and up! Click here for more info!

EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS

Experienced climbers ages 16+ are welcome to come and climb with us during any Introductory or Certified Climbing times!

During your first visit you will need sign a waiver, go through our safety orientation and take our belay certification test.
The certification test is $20 and is valid at any CAC location for over a full year, all re-certification tests after that are complimentary.
Once you’re certified you may climb whenever the wall is open, just grab a partner for some top rope, or work on some hard boulders in cave.
If you don’t have a climbing partner, Certified Climb is the best place to meet other climbers in the community and hopefully make some friends you could climb with regularly!

Click here to check out our Certified Climb and Open Climb times.

Guests Climb with us on the All-Access 10 Pass
This 10 Pass is perfect for all certified non-member climbers that are primarily interested in taking advantage of the club’s climbing wall and fitness facilities. If you buy this pass the same day that you get certified, your certification fee ($20) will be waived! Click here to get yours!

BRING THE KIDS TO FAMILY CLIMB

Family Climb is a great chance to get your kids on the wall! Staff will be on hand to help try to get your child to the top! Climbing shoes and harness are provided, children must always be accompanied by a parent. It’s first come first serve, so be sure and come early!

Certified Member’schild: FREE
Non-Certified Member’schild: $10
Non-Member’s Child: $25

*Limit of two children per parent.
*Children must be ages 5+

Kids still can’t get enough climbing? We have Kids and Youth Classes for that. Click here for more info.

PRIVATE ACCESS: From 1-on-1 to Group Events

We offer a range of private climbing lessons and events for ages 5+ to many group sizes. We can arrangements for anything from 1-on-1 private lessons to groups as large as 35.

Private Lessons
Private lessons can be scheduled at your own leisure with one of our highly knowledgeable climbing instructors.

Click here for more details and pricing information.

Group Events
The Evanston and Lakeview climbing walls are available to rent for parties and team-building events all year long. Our most basic accommodations are affordable and fun! Rent our wall for up to 15 Climbers for 2 hours with 2 instructors for just $400. Rates may vary for group events of other sizes and time lengths.

Use this link to inquire and begin your booking now!

*Membership is not required for private lessons or wall rentals

Climbing Classes

Our clubs offer a variety of classes and training to get you on the wall and to the top. The CAC climbing experts will teach you the ropes to help you safely grow your rock climbing skillset. Whether you are hoping to learn the basics and become comfortable on the wall or want to perfect your technique to conquer more advanced climbs, our CAC climbing specialists can help. You can view the full details about our Chicago rock climbing classes below. CAC continually extends our fitness offerings to provide our members with the best possible fitness experience; however, our current rock climbing class offerings are currently focused out of our Evanston and Lakeview Chicago gym locations. When you are ready to improve your rock climbing performance, sign up for one of our Chicago Athletic Clubs climbing classes! Contact our Chicago fitness specialists with any additional questions you may have about our rock climbing class offerings, or conveniently sign up for our climbing classes right here online today to get started!

Kids Classes | Ages 5-9

Kids 1 Class

Evanston & Lakeview

This is our introductory course for kids new to climbing. Emphasis will be on movement and climbing technique as well as maximizing climbing time. The instructors will strive to make the climbers feel comfortable being on the wall, high off the ground. Climbing knots and belay instruction will be included based on a climber's maturity and skill level.

Kids 2 Class*

Evanston & Lakeview

Kids II Class is for students who are ready to take their climbing to the next level. Students will have more time to climb, and instructors will increase the intensity of the climbing by challenging the climbers to build their skills, strength, and climbing technique. Climbers should know how to tie their knots, load and belay with a grigri, conduct safety checks, and climb the big wall with confidence before registering for Kids 2 Class.

*Kids 1 instructor recommendation is needed for participation in Kids 2 Class.

To register for Evanston classes click here.
To register for Lakeview classes click here.

Youth Classes | Ages 10-15

Youth 1 Class

Evanston & Lakeview

The Youth 1 Class is the perfect starting point for kids ages 10-15, with limited climbing experience. In this 4-week introductory class, instructors will emphasize safety protocols as climbers learn how to tie-in and belay. . Sequencing routes, climbing movement, and climbing technique will be taught in conjunction with responsible climbing procedures. Upon completion of the Youth I Class, students can continue their climbing as part of the Youth 2 Class.

Youth 2 Class*

Evanston & Lakeview

The Youth 2 Class provides a great environment for experienced climbers ages 10-15 years old. This 90-minutes class focuses on the strength and technique in both the bouldering cave and top rope climbing areas. Climbers who progress in Youth 2 can try out for one of our competitive Climbing Teams, with instructor recommendation.

*Kids 2 or Youth 1 instructor recommendation is needed for participation in Youth 2 Class.

To register for Evanston classes click here.
To register for Lakeview classes click here.

Climbing Team | Ages 7-18

CAC Youth Climbing Teams

Evanston & Lakeview

The Expansion and Advanced Teams are for highly motivated climbers interested in competing through USA Climbing. Practices include workouts targeting overall fitness and strength, as well as climbing exercises and drills to advance each team member’s technique and resilience. Participation on Team best prepares climbers for competitions and outdoor climbing. Coaches will attend field trips and all local competitions to advise, instruct, and support their CAC climbers. Those interested in the CAC Climbing Team must attend try outs in the late summer (bouldering season) and winter (sport and speed season).

Contact us! climbing@chicagoathleticclubs.com for details on joining.

Climbing

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Upcoming Events

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NEW TO CLIMBING

EXPERIENCED CLIMBERS

BRING THE KIDS TO FAMILY CLIMB

PRIVATE ACCESS: From 1-on-1 to Group Events

Climbing Classes

Adult Classes

Adult Certification Class | Ages 16 & up

Learn the ABCs of Climbing

Adult Lead Climbing Class | Ages 16 & up

Youth Classes

Kids Classes | Ages 5-9

Kids 1 Class

Kids 2 Class*

Youth Classes | Ages 10-15

Youth 1 Class

Youth 2 Class*

Climbing Team | Ages 7-18

CAC Youth Climbing Teams

Climbing Schedules

Climbing Wall Team Members

Sam Naishtat

Ashley Doody

Tila Warner-Rosen

Jacqueline Lin

Mika Malter

Nabil Kahouadji

Miriam Piilonen

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