Climbing Rumney, New Hampshire with Kids

We experienced climbing at Rumney, NH with kids, as we took our three boys on a four day camping and climbing trip. We’ve taken our boys on multiple camping/climbing trips, but this was the first trip we were all together at Rumney. We went at the beginning of October, so nights were definitely chilly, but the daytime weather was gorgeous!

We spent most of our days at the crag, but we took turns doing other things with the boys to keep them engaged and happy. Stunning views, grippy rock, and hot campfires made our trip very enjoyable.

Are you planning a trip to Rumney in the upcoming future with kids? Here’s all you need to know about what to do, where to stay, and how to plan.

1. What to do – Climbing

A. Buying the Rumney Climbing Guide

The best place to buy the Rumney Climbing book is at the local Rumney Village Store. When we have visited, the book is kept behind the counter, so go straight to checkout and ask the cashier for the Rumney guidebook.

If you’re eager to get it before you arrive, you can of course buy it online at the big-name store, Amazon, but I encourage small, local purchases whenever possible!

B. Kid-friendly Routes

The Jimmy Cliff crag has a lot of easy options for the young beginner, starting as easy as 5.3, with a consistent progression up to 5.9 and higher. There’s often two or more routes per grade, within that easy range (5.3 – 5.9).

Chad (my husband) and our two toddlers had fun climbing around on the slabby, Clip a Dee Doo Dah, a 3 star 5.3. Our 4 year old climbed the first pitch, and our 3 year old climbed up to the third bolt of the first pitch. He was racing up the wall like a pro when he realized how high he was. It took a little bit of coaching and encouraging to ease him back down to the ground.

The biggest downside is the approach. While there are multiple trails that take you to the crag, the one we chose seemed quite steep for our toddlers. Our three and four year old did awesome, despite the treacherous footing at times. Our two-year old got carried the majority of the way (even without our baby-carrier).

I’m not saying this to deter you, only to prepare you!!! Even though it is steep and rocky at times, it really is not that far of mileage to cover. Take breaks when needed, eat snacks, drink water, and you’ll eventually make it to the top! Remember, climbing and being outdoors (especially with kids) is about the journey, not the destination.

C. Kid-friendly Crags

The Meadows is a kid-friendly crag as it has a decently flat space for the little ones to hang out. There’s a couple of boulders around, both adult-size and toddler-size, making it a fun place for the kids to scramble around on. The best part about this crag is that it is super close to the parking lot, with not much of an approach at all. If you’re short on time, this is a great crag to run up for with the kids.

Main Cliff, Center Left, is another crag that is decent for young kids. Not quite as flat as the Meadows, but it is level enough that makes it work for young kids. Rocks of various sizes are plentiful, creating a natural play area for little hands and feet. As always, keep a watchful eye on the little ones, and be respectful of other climbing parties with your young crew.

D. Must-have Kid Climbing Gear

It should go without saying, but if you are taking little ones out rock climbing, helmets are a MUST-HAVE. Because kids are generally doing easier routes, I think any sport helmet will suffice, as long as it is in good condition and protects the head! At a young age, don’t feel obligated to buy a separate protective helmet for every different sport. A multi-purpose helmet will do.

If your child will be roping up and climbing an actual route at Rumney, then a good-fitting child’s harness is another must-have piece of equipment.

Climbing shoes are optional for the young climber who is just starting out, however, depending on the child’s age and interest level, shoes add a lot to the experience. Yes, routes can be climbed with gym sneakers, but the climb and experience will feel quite different to the child when wearing climbing shoes with extra grip.

Consider how often you will be climbing, and how interested your child is in the sport, before buying expensive climbing shoes. A great option for starting out is looking at pre-used shoes, either online like Ebay, or your local REI garage sale.

E. Bouldering at Rumney With Kids

Rumney is a well-known sport climbing destination, but the bouldering at Rumney is just as good to write home about. Bouldering is such a good option to do with little ones, as the ‘route’ time is shorter. Climbers are up and down in a shorter amount of time, making it easier to watch and interact with the little ones.

Boulders are of course fun for the young ones too, as they get a chance to scramble around on the rocks, and pretend to climb, ‘just like mommy and daddy.’ Crash pads are especially fun for kids, as they jump, tumble, and fall off the rocks.

Black Jack Boulders is probably the most popular bouldering spot, and offers over 200 boulder problems, ranging from V0 to V12. It’s a large area, so take some time to explore and find which problems you want to work on, or just let the kids run free and you follow their lead 😁

2. What to do – Not Climbing

A. Hiking

The great thing about rock climbing is that it almost always includes a ‘hike’. Sometimes the approach is so short that it wouldn’t be considered hiking, but with toddlers or young ones in tow, it doesn’t take much to be considered a ‘hike’ for them.

If you’re visiting Rumney with kids, but are taking a break from climbing, consider any of the approach trails for a fun hike.

All Trails App suggests a 4.5 star, highly rated trail called Rattlesnake Mountain Trail. A bit steep at times, but overall a moderate hike. I’d suggest child carriers if you have real young ones in your crew. As always, take lots of snacks and breaks as needed.

B. Biking

About 10 minutes to the West of Rumney, is Green Woodlands Mountain Bike Trails near Dorchester. Offering 5 easy trails and 16 intermediate trails over 55 miles of trail, there will certainly be options for your family.

C. Parks/Places to see

Polar Caves Park is a popular attraction for family’s with kids. Packed with adventure from caves and climbing, to animals and a gift shop, your youngsters will love this natural playground.

Sculptured Rocks Natural Area is a beautiful state park in New Hampshire that spans 272 acres. Explore the area in your own time, observing the rivers, rocks, and ‘narrow canyon’ that got carved by the moving waters. Bring a picnic and stay for a good part of the day.

D. Fishing

Step Outside has great information on fishing at Rumney. Licenses, regulations, where to find fresh water versus salt water – it’s all right there for you.

A really fun activity for the kids is the NPS Junior Ranger Let’s Go Fishing Program. Kids get to explore, learn, and protect fish. Find fishing opportunities, get a book and badge, and learn the basics of fishing.

E. Swimming

Rumney Falls is a gorgeous area with a small waterfall pouring into a pool of water. Rocks of various sizes surround the pool, making it an enjoyable place to relax and hang out for a few hours. The water is not very deep, so it’s more of a wader/splash pad, which is perfect for young kids.

When we visited Rumney, we stayed at Baker River Campground, which is located right beside the river. If you stay here, they have a nice, small, beach area by the river for the kids to enjoy swimming and splashing.

G. Kayaking/Tubing

The Baker River has more to enjoy than just swimming. Rent kayaks or other water crafts and explore the area while floating down the river. This review at Paddling.com suggests staying at Mountain Pines Campground for a great experience of kayaking to your campsite. Rent kayaks and go!

3. Where to Stay

A. Camping

AAC Rumney Rattlesnake

If you’re visiting the Rumney area specifically to climb Rumney Rocks, than the AAC campground is the most convenient as far as proximity to the crags. The campground sits right across from the Rumney parking lot, so you don’t even need to pack up and drive. Simply wake up, walk across the street, save yourself $5 from the daily parking fee, and enjoy climbing.

The AAC campgrounds are unique in that they are communal, encouraging guests and campers to mingle and interact around shared campfires and picnic tables. The campground is a large open field where you can find your spot to pitch a tent, hang a hammock, or park your vehicle. Porta potties are available for toilets.

While this campground is extremely convenient because of it’s close proximity to climbing access, we felt the communal aspect might be a bit tricky for our three toddlers. Not that we’re against the communal vibes, but with three youngsters, we wanted a place where we could enjoy our own campfire, and eat our meals together, while managing our small crew.

Baker River Campground

Baker River Campground is where we’ve stayed both times we visited Rumney Rocks. The first time we visited, we were without kids, and it was the closest thing we could find that had availability. Our second trip, with kids, we chose Baker River because of it’s amenities and prices.

The campground is about a 5 minute drive from the Rumney parking lot. Knowing that you can sleep across the street makes the 5 minutes feel long, but in all honesty, that’s a pretty short drive to climbing in the morning.

We picked Baker River because it is kid-friendly. Even when we went in October, we knew our kids would enjoy the beach area next to the river. We got a campsite right next to the river, and they had so much fun playing around in the sand. Bathrooms, with HOT showers, are in walking distance, along with a little playground area for the kids. All of this for a decent price, we decided Baker River was the best option for us.

*Side Note

A sandy campsite definitely has its pros and cons. Sand is fun and entertaining for the littles to play around with, but it did seem to get EVERYWHERE. If you’re camping at a sandy place, having a way to control the sand spread is helpful. For example, having a place to rinse sand off, and teaching your littles to shake off any sand before entering the tent.

Barndoor Hostel and Campground

Barndoor Hostel and Campground is also a short drive to the crags, about 4 minutes. Bring your tent, hammock, or vehicle and snag a spot anywhere on the campground to pitch your ‘home’ for the weekend.

Barndoor does not appear as kid-friendly as some campgrounds. Guests under 12 are not allowed in the hostel. Children younger than 12 need prior approval for the campground. The campground offers a glamping tent and a renovated school bus as unique places to stay on the site.

Although we have not personally visited ourselves, their website speaks of a river and brook on the property for swimming and bathing.

B. Hotels

Although Rumney itself doesn’t have hotels (at least as far as I know), thankfully there are nearby towns with a few options. Plymouth, New Hampshire, just 15 minutes east of Rumney rock climbing, has a nice Fairfield Inn & Suites, as well as a Red Carpet Inn & Suites.

Plymouth also has some unique, beautiful hotels if you’re looking for more of a memorable family vacation than just another climbing trip. The Common Man Inn & Spa gives a warm welcome with their rustic rooms and cozy feels. The Tea Rose Inn may not be every rock climber’s dream… but it’s quaint and pretty. Maybe just the perfect pull you need to get the girly girls along on this trip.

C. Airbnb

Airbnb is always a favorite place to look when booking for a getaway! The places are each individually unique, making it fun to pick the place that will fit the best with your needs.

While Airbnb’s are competitive with hotel pricing, they are not the most budget-friendly option. However, if you’re traveling with a group of people that can split the cost, or have young kiddos and know the ease of a house will make it easier, airbnb’s are a good option. Simply search the Rumney area on Airbnb’s website to find a perfect spot for your getaway.

D. Other (Walmart parking lot)

The cheapest option will always be…. WALMART! If you have a camper van or RV, you can’t get cheaper than parking at Walmart. The Plymouth Walmart is only a 12 minute drive from Rumney rock climbing.

Best part of this (besides being free) is that Walmart is right out your front door for anything you may have forgotten. The not so fun part? No campfires, no scenic views, no fresh wood scent, but hey, it’s free. You gotta pick your battles sometimes😉

4. Where to Eat

A. Stella’s Place

Stella’s Place is a small reastaurant right at the main crossroads of Rumney. A simple menu, a few tables, and a bagel and coffee to go. This is a fun place to grab breakfast on the way to the crag.

B. Rumney Village Store

Rumney wouldn’t be Rumney without it’s “Village store with more.” They smoke their own hand-rubbed meats for delicious hot sandwiches on Fridays and Saturdays (at the time of this post). They have their own bakery kitchen, serving up fresh pastries and baked goods. Another fun, local spot to grab a bite to eat on the way to the crag.

C. Sole Track Brewing

If you’re into a crisp, cool, refreshing brew after a hard day of adventuring (who’s not?), take time to visit Sole Track Brewing! The only down side is that they have very limited hours, currently open only on Fridays. However, if you love a good brew, check it out if you’re visiting Rumney on a Friday night.

D. Plymouth Town

The town of Plymouth is only a 15-20 minute drive from Rumney, and offers a variety of different cuisines for the hungry climbing family. Pizza, burgers, and ice cream, just to name a few – you should find something that everyone can enjoy. Sunset Grill and Six Burner Bistro are two favorites in Plymouth.

5. Best Time To Visit

A. Fall

September and October are the most optimal times to climb at Rumney. The weather is starting to cool a bit, so the mosquitos aren’t devouring every square inch of exposed skin. The evenings are comfortable to sleep, with chilly morning’s that make you look forward to sipping that hot beverage around the campfire.

October will bring you stunning scenery of fall foliage with the cool, crisp mornings. And best of all, the rock feels grippy, making it perfect for scaling the wall, and sending those projects.

B. Summer

If you can’t make it to Rumney in the Fall, Mountain Project makes the summer months look relatively similar. However, from first hand experience, late July was not a fun time to be there because the mosquitos were HORRENDOUS. Maybe it was a bad year? Maybe it was just us? But I highly recommend the cooler temps if possible to avoid the nasty, little blood suckers.

6. What to Bring

A. Bug Spray

As mentioned above, if you go any time when it’s warm, the mosquitos will be buzzing. Bring plenty of bug spray, citronella candles, or other products and methods that will aim to keep the biters away from you.

B. Gear (Camping and Climbing)

If you’re camping, of course make sure to bring along all your camping essentials. If you go with a hotel or airbnb, you’ll be able to make the trip with a lot less.

Of course you can’t forget your climbing gear. Pack the shoes, harnesses, quickdraws, helmets, ropes, and boulder pads if you plan on bouldering.

C. Layers

Depending on the time of year you visit, you’ll want to pack plenty of layers for you and the littles. Base layer, sweater or hoody, outer jacket or vest. If it’s real cold, pack the hats and mittens tool; the kids will be thankful for them.

7. Rainy Day Activities

Unfortunately, Rumney itself is a very small town (if you can call it a town), so if the toddlers tire quickly at the general store and Stella’s place, then head over to the next closest town, Plymouth, for some rainy day adventures.

A. Library

One of my favorite things to do with kids during rainy weather is take them to the library. It’s free, educational, and warm and dry! Curl up with a good book, or explore free activities or programs that might be going on that day at the library. Plymouth’s library is Pease Public Library.

B. Museums

Museums are a nice way to learn and explore indoors if the weather’s nasty out and if your kids are up for it. Plymouth has two museums, Museum of the White Mountains and Plymouth Historical Museum. If you’re feeling adventurous in a different sort of way, check it out and give it a go. An ice cream reward is always a great way to encourage kids if they need a little motivation.

Conclusion

While Rumney could be considered a sleepy, little town, with not a lot to do, the rock climbing there is becoming more well-known and popular around the world. But even if you’re not there to rock climb, the White Mountains has plenty of other outdoor adventures for you and your family.

Take the kids, get outside, enjoy nature together.

Get out, go adventure!

Keep Reading:

Camping Hacks with Toddlers

Easy Camping Meals with Kids

Climbing at Rumney, NH with Kids