New to climbing? Choose our 4-hour rock climbing trips in Interstate Park for the best introduction. The park’s basalt can be sharp — only climbers with developed calluses can comfortably handle a full day on these sharp bluffs. Our 8-hour full-day trip suits regular outdoor or gym climbers and active families who don’t mind longer adventures and extended time outdoors. Read on to compare each trip and discover which option fits your family’s skill level, stamina, and outdoor comfort.

Kid climber at the top of the cliffs super excited at Interstate Park — Why Outdoor play and climbing specifically are so great for kids

Kids belong outside — scrambling over rocks, exploring trees, and splashing through streams. Those simple activities help them build curiosity, confidence, and the practical skills to move safely through the natural world. At Forged Guides in Interstate Park along the St. Croix River, we make outdoor play accessible and fun for ages 3–103, so kids can grow their sense of adventure in a safe, guided setting.
Today’s world serves nonstop small rewards from screens and quick dopamine hits, which can make real-world challenges feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar. Rock climbing offers a healthy, focused break from that cycle. When kids climb, they work at something meaningful: planning moves, using their bodies, and enjoying the natural rush of accomplishment that comes from reaching the top. That kind of fulfillment sticks with them longer than any momentary online buzz.
Climbing naturally asks kids to face problems: how do I reach the next hold, how do I balance, or how do I keep going when I get scared? Many children shut down the first time a climb gets tough — that’s normal. That’s also exactly why guided climbing is so powerful. With supportive coaching, kids learn to approach challenges step by step, build mental resilience, and celebrate small wins.
At Forged Guides we focus on teaching simple problem-solving tools through climbing: breaking a route into smaller steps, trying different techniques, asking for help, and learning from failed attempts. These skills transfer to school, friendships, and everyday life. Climbing helps kids become better decision-makers, more confident movers, and more resilient thinkers — all while having a blast outside.
If you want your child to trade quick-screen fixes for real-world confidence, exploration, and long-lasting satisfaction, climbing is a perfect start. We keep things fun, safe, and age-appropriate, helping kids develop the skills they need to overcome challenges and love the outdoors for life.

Benefits of choosing a 4 hour trip for kids

Kids excited for a rock climbing adventure at Interstate Park often hit the ground running. Bursting with energy, they crank out laps early in the session while enthusiasm is highest. The first half hour typically cover the walk to the crag, anchor and rope setup, and a clear safety demonstration. After that, kids warm up with a few approachable climbs and practice safe lowering techniques—another half hour or more—so they build confidence and reinforce skills.

Once warmed up, most kids are ready to push themselves: tackling longer routes, trying different climbing styles, and attempting harder problems for the next 1–2 hours. Around the 3–4 hour mark, attention and strength often begin to fade. Children may wander from the routes, remove harnesses, or shift into free play. If knot-tying or independent belaying was part of the lesson, you might notice a lapse in recall at this stage, which is normal. For many families, a 4-hour session is an ideal stopping point—kids do the bulk of the climbing at the start, and parents often take more turns near the end.

After the climb, your guide will clean anchors, pack the rope, and lead the group back to the cars. The timing usually works perfectly for a family meal or an afternoon St. Croix River float—paddleboats, kayaks, or canoes make a great post-climb cooldown. Planning a 3–4 hour guided climbing session gives kids a safe, skill-building, high-energy experience while leaving time for family fun along the stunning St. Croix River.

Climber about to lower down the cliffs on the Wisconsin side of Interstate Park

Benefits of an 8 hour trip

A full-day climbing trip is ideal for regular climbers with calluses on their hands and for outdoorsy people who want a longer adventure. These trips give you more time on the rock and let you explore both sides of Interstate Park—Wisconsin and Minnesota—so you get a fuller experience of the St. Croix River cliffs and scenery. Longer days mean more varied terrain, fresher challenges, and a deeper connection to the park.

On a full-day trip we typically visit two to four different crags, depending on group pace and weather. Moving between crags breaks up the day, keeps things interesting, and exposes you to different rock types, route styles, and views along the river. Each relocation is an opportunity to tailor the day to what the group wants to do next.

Throughout the day your guide will continuously customize route selection to match each climber’s skill level and goals. That means beginners can build confidence on approachable climbs while stronger climbers can work on technique, endurance, or harder moves. The guide balances safety, progression, and fun so every climber gets the right challenge.

Full days are perfect for seeing more of Interstate Park, getting lots of climbs in, and pushing personal limits in a safe, supportive setting. If you want a personalized climbing experience that covers more ground, more routes, and more of the park’s scenic highlights, a full-day climbing trip is the best choice.