photo by @aquirantemedia
Climb Smart 2026
November 20-22, 2026 @ Joshua Tree National Park
Climb Smart is an annual 3-day event running all day Friday – Sunday, featuring climbing and educational clinics, catered dinner, entertainment, vendors and more.
Early Bird Special $279 til 9/30!
Table of Contents
This event is proudly sponsored by Visit 29 Palms
What to Expect at Climb Smart
The Climb Smart Festival is the largest gathering of climbers at Joshua Tree National Park.
Unique mini-clinics run by working guides at Joshua Tree National Park offer introduction and refresher content in 2 or 3 session tracks, as well as managed toprope climbing for those who simply want to try their skills on the quartz monzonite stone. Each evening a catered dinner is provided and a stage show delivers entertainment, inspiration and more education in multimedia format. We always have great brand sponsors and local and regional retailers as well as gear giveaways. The attendee of Climb Smart will leave more experienced, better networked, psyched for climbing and likely with some swag items too.
One of the unique offerings at Climb Smart is working with professional climbing guides in mini-clinic format which allows for getting to know several different organizations, style differences, and consistencies between climbing schools. In the end, all of the guide organizations invited to participate in Climb Smart are top shelf, longstanding professional outfits permitted by the Park and have strong reputations in the climbing community.
It is owned and managed by Friends of Joshua Tree, a 501 c(3) founded 1991. This annual event kicks off the climbing season in Joshua Tree with education and stewardship as the primary pillars, as well as establishing the climbing community as a positive force working with the National Park and land managers throughout the region.
Over 300 attendees are anticipated this year, building on years of growth and adaptation to a changing climbing community and scene in JTree. This event will stage in the National Park at the Indian Cove Group Campgrounds through a special arrangement with the Park. Now in its 29th year, the mix of new and experienced climbers at Climb Smart represents a uniquely diverse and eager audience looking to have their first (or next) JTree climbing experience.
Track Descriptions
Specific Clinic Information: These mini 3-hour clinics are regularly featured at Climb Smart events. These aren’t the entirety of our offering each year, but answer many questions about exactly what is involved. All clinics are ground school (taught at the crag, but not at height) UNLESS it is managed topropes or specifically labeled Advanced or At Height.
Basic Skills-Intro to Outdoor Climbing
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner
For the beginner outdoor climbers, we will discuss systems that keep climbers safe like toprope setups, sport climbing vs. trad climbing, objective hazards in the outdoors, belaying, and good partner protocols for those exploring the world of trad climbing.
Intro to Anchors-Sport and Trad
SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels
In this clinic we go over the essential knots for climbing, and the fundamentals of assessing gear placements leading to reliable anchor-building. This is a hands-on clinic where there will be lots of practice tying specific climbing knots and assessing quality gear placements in rock.
Anchor Intensive Clinic (Beyond Intro)
The Anchor Intensive Clinic goes beyond intro for practice building solid, redundant, non-extension anchors in various situations.
Managed Toprope Climbing
In this clinic, toprope will be set and managed by certified guides to enable registered attendees to climb a variety of climbs in Joshua Tree on belay with tested belayers. Sign up for this to get the most climbing in during Climb Smart.
Multi-Pitch Considerations & Techniques
SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced
Multi-pitch climbing involves more advanced route finding, approach, and overall backcountry-relevant trad climbing skills. Learn the fundamentals of rope and gear management while en route, efficient movement and belay tactics, descending and decision-making tactics.
Self-Rescue Considerations & Techniques
SKILL LEVEL: Experience in basic single-pitch
For those experienced in basic single pitch climbing and belaying techniques, or those who want to refresh Self-rescue techniques. Scenarios like going hands-free, Escaping a belay, raising and lowering a partner, and specific friction knots that facilitate self-rescue.
Women’s Clinic-Basic Climbing Techniques
SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels
For those identifying as female, a women’s specific clinic allows for more focused and intimate discussion and targeted learning. This clinic does involve climbing at height, and integrates aspects of the above topics. Be prepared to share space with folks of all experience groups, including rank beginners.
Big Wall/Aid Climbing Techniques
Aid climbing requires specific gear, techniques, and a lot of patience and stamina on either end of the rope. This clinic is an introduction to aiding techniques and gear, as well as some practice with aid placement practice and gear usage.
Bouldering Tour
Tour around a section of Joshua Tree National Park and put your bouldering skills to the test with a senior guide and/or pro athlete. Climbing at height.
Adaptive Climbing Considerations & Techniques
SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels
Learn about techniques that allow people of all abilities to practice climbing and gain the skills and experience of a lifetime. What is important is to understand that anyone can learn to climb, regardless of ability. Especially good for those who want to (or already do) teach climbing to others.
Wilderness First Aid Primer
Climbers need particular items in a First Aid Kit depending on where and how they climb, as well as training to support field assessment, transport and dressing/treatment. Also included, “What’s In Your Pack?”
High Desert Ecosystems Tour
SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels
Learn about the landscape flora, fauna and cultural history with this expert-led tour of the Indian Cove area.
Rappelling Intensive Clinic
SKILL LEVEL: All Skill Levels
This rappelling course covers essential skills, self tethering, extended rappels with backup systems, fireman’s belay, rope management and cleaning the anchor.
Enhance your safety & enjoyment of rappelling.
General Topics
In addition to the clinics above, you will have the opportunity to learn about:
- Leave No Trace and Recreate Responsibly practices
- Local Climbing Ethics
- Expertise as campers, hikers, wildlife biologists, and climbers visiting wild and ancestral lands.
- Learn the history and people who advanced climbing in Joshua Tree to world-renowned status.
STEWARDSHIP
- Climb Smart regularly includes stewardship projects, in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park, that advance healthy ecosystems and minimize damage to sensitive high desert soils, flora and fauna.
- Giving back to our wonderful Park by caring for all of its inhabitants is a primary mission of FOJT.
NETWORKING
- Meet like-minded climbers in and around your region
- Learn about retailers and rock gym programs to transition from sport to trad
- Meet working guides who can help you get to the next level no matter where you are on the climbing spectrum.
Frequently Asked Questions
For volunteer opportunities and additional details, please contact Kenji or Janet at info@friendsofjosh.org.
Who owns and operates the Climb Smart event?
Friends Of Joshua Tree, a 501 c(3) non-profit organization, owns and operates the annual Climb Smart event, and has since before 2000. This event is our primary fund-raiser for the year, and it is a unique experience of fun and network building combined with high value education, stewardship and deeper engagement with our treasured public lands resource, Joshua Tree National Park. Through our long-term collaborative relationship with the National Park, we are able to operate this event 100% inside Joshua Tree National Park… just one of the unique aspects of the event.
What level of climber must I be to attend Climb Smart In Joshua Tree?
Climb Smart is literally for all levels of climber, from rank beginner (never climbed outdoors or indoors) to big wallers and experienced mountaineers. The topics taught at Climb Smart cover the gamut, and review work on advanced topics is helpful even for very experienced climbers.
What gear do I need to have, if any, to participate in climb Smart?
The only personal gear you’ll need to attend Climb Smart is sleeping gear and personal kit for hygiene (no running water nearby so lots of water). If you have climbing gear, please bring it especially your own harness, belay device , rock shoes and helmet. FOJT has a limited gear library of loaner gear for attendee use at Climb Smart.
What age requirements or limits are there for attending Climb Smart?
Our insurance prevents us from having registrants under 14 years old. 14-18 Year olds can attend with parent or guardian also registered. Everyone over 18 is able to register independently.
If I’m vegan or vegetarian, will I be able to eat the catered food provided on Friday and Saturday nights of Climb Smart?
Yes. We always provide vegetarian options for our catered dinners. For specific questions or requests on food, please be in contact with the event management and we will work it out. For very picky eaters it’s always okay to bring your own. Since we must estimate catered meals far in advance, we cannot offer discounts to those who choose to eat on their own.
Do I have to camp if I want to attend climb Smart In Joshua Tree?
Though we provide camping for up to 3 nights for registrants of Climb Smart, you definitely do NOT have to camp. Very nearby is the town of Twentynine Palms, and there is a variety of lodging options there to suit any need/desire. Visit Visit29.org/stay to learn more. After overnighting in Twentynine Palms each evening, you will then drive in each morning and arrange parking to attend (walk to) the various clinics and evening events.
Will I get to climb At Climb Smart? seems like mostly education sessions each day.
Yes. Each day of Climb Smart there is “Managed Toprope Climbing” on offer in the clinic schedule. If you sign up for these clinics, you will be able to climb under the supervision of accredited/working guides and competent, experienced volunteers.
Where do all the attendees of Climb Smart come from? Will I feel welcome?
Attendees of Climb Smart come from all over the country and we always have a few international visitors who want to support the local climbing org and brush off their rock skills, have fun and connect with the land and locals. Roughly 65% of attendees come from Southern California cities like San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County. About 8-10% are local to the high desert region.
Is there any treacherous driving or hiking involved in accessing Climb Smart Events/Clinics?
No. Driving into the venue of our event (Indian Cove group campgrounds and amphitheater area) does not require any special vehicle; even small RV’s can easily get in and out. Once parked, all of our clinics are an easy/short hike from the camping area so we’re all close by.
What pro climbers will be attending this coming Climb Smart In Joshua Tree?
We always have amazing pro climbers attend Climb Smart in Joshua Tree, and sometimes they give amazing multimedia shows. Others just show up to be part of the community and share their expertise openly in support of a better educated climbing community. Keep an eye on our promotional messaging on Climb Smart to see whom it will be this year.
How do i apply to be a volunteer at Climb Smart?
If you’ve attended Climb Smart before, and want to become a working volunteer of the event to earn your ticket, please contact Kenji or Janet at info@friendsofjosh.org and let them know your desire and experience with outdoor events.
How do working guides get hooked up as Climb Smart Clinicians?
If you’re a working guide, we would love to have you join the ranks of the Climb Smart Guide Corps. This event introduces you to many other working guides and provides attendees with personal experience with different guides and organizations. Contact kenji@friendsofjosh.org if joining our guide group for the event interests you.