Curry Village Boulders
VB – V2 · 4 routes · granite · V-scale
- Approach 2 min — level paved path from the Curry Village parking area, then sand
- Best season May to October. The village sits low in the valley and is usually snow-free by late April.
- Published
- Updated
Curry Village is where most visitors to Yosemite first touch granite. The boulders are low, the landings are sandy, and there is a genuine spread of easy problems that let a complete beginner have a proper session rather than a scramble.
What to expect
The problems are short and mostly on positive holds, with the occasional awkward mantle to keep things interesting. Because the rock is glacier-polished it can feel slick at first — the trick is to keep your feet flat and trust the texture rather than look for edges.
It is also one of the few places in the valley where you can climb in the shade at midday, which matters in the shoulder seasons.
Access and facilities
This is the most convenient bouldering in the park: walk from the Curry Village complex, which has food, water and toilets. That combination makes it the right choice for a first day, for families, or for anyone recovering from a long approach the day before.
Safety notes
The main hazard is not the climbing, it is the valley: bears are active around the village and food must never be left unattended. Signs at the car park explain the rules and they are enforced with fines.
Routes · 4
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Hold types jug · slab · mantle
Open beta
Low angled slab on huge holds. A good place to learn how much friction polished granite actually gives you.
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Hold types jug · mantle · slab
Open beta
Stepped slab following a series of ledges. The top-out is the only move that requires thought.
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Hold types traverse · jug · heel-hook
Open beta
Fifteen-metre traverse at knee height. Stay low, keep moving, and use the big flake at the halfway point to rest.
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Hold types crimp · slab · smear
Open beta
Short vertical face with small edges. The feet are polished; place them precisely rather than quickly.
Crag ethics
Crag ethics
Heavy visitor traffic means the rock is polished already. Keep brushes light, do not climb on wet granite, and pack out everything.
