Bouldering Areas 

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People travel from all over the world to boulder here. Before you head to the crag, please read our Crag Etiquette Page and the important information below.

Cultural Sites: Never touch, remove, or share locations of archaeological sites. It gives climbers a bad name and is prohibited by law. Review the How to Recreate Responsibly in Payahuunadü, compiled by the Environmental Management Office of the Bishop Paiute Tribe. 

Guidebook for Bouldering in Bishop

Volcanic Tablelands (Happy and Sad Boulders)

The Volcanic Tablelands is made up of a rock called volcanic tuff and hosts two premier bouldering areas; The Happies and the Sads. The better-known Happy Boulders offer over 500 routes while the Sad Boulders offer over 200 routes. These bouldering areas offer something for everyone, from VB to V11. The Volcanic Tablelands are at a lower elevation than the Buttermilks so warmer temps can be found here during the winter. In the summer, it is often too hot to climb here. There is a porta-potty in the parking lot. Behind the porta-potty is a litter that can be used to carry injured people out. Expect crowds, especially on holidays and weekends. 

The parking lot is private property owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP). Camping and fires are prohibited on LADWP land. The Bishop Bureau of Land Management Field Office manages the bouldering area.

Buttermilk Country 

With jaw-dropping scenery and some TALL boulders, the Buttermilk Boulders is one of California's premier bouldering destinations. The granite boulders that make up this crag tend to tear up fingers on the large grains, so bring tape if your calluses aren’t thick enough. This area sits a bit higher than Bishop and you may experience snow and windy weather here. Expect crowds, especially on holidays and weekends. 

Many Buttermilk boulders are considered highballs and may have technical descents. Scout the down climb before hopping on a problem. Use the brand-new pit toilet in the Birthday Boulder parking lot.

Special Considerations: The Buttermilk Road has historically been terrible. The speed limit is 25 MPH. It’s important for climbers to adhere to this speed and help prevent the road from becoming rutted (it’s not graded often), keep dust down for the local Starlite community, and to make the road safer for pedestrians. The Buttermilks do get snow in the winter and the road may be impassable. Depending on your vehicle, you may need chains or the Buttermilks may not be accessible. 

No Parking on South side of Buttermilk Road, especially by the Whale Boulder. By parking only on the north side of the road, we help prevent bottlenecks and ensure a clear path for emergency vehicles. This setup also allows safer exits for everyone in case of an evacuation.

Buttermilk County is a checkerboard of land managed by the USFS, BLM, LADWP, and Inyo County— no camping or fires on LADWP land (private property).

The Druid Stones 

The Druids are managed by the Inyo National Forest and sit about two thousand feet above Bishop in the foothills of the Sierra. The boulders are accessed by a steep 1.5-mile hike which takes at least 45 minutes to complete. There are no facilities up there so bring a WAG bag and pack everything out. This area offers more solitude and an escape from the crowds, especially on busy weekends and holidays. This crag is the same type of granite found in the Buttermilks and is home to over 150 boulder problems. If you don’t feel like lugging a crash pad up there, this does make an excellent rest day hike. 

Special Considerations: Stashing gear is a no-go and any gear left unattended overnight will be considered trash. 

Photo credits, clockwise from top left: Drew Smith, Alexa Flower, Drew Smith, Alexa Flower