Reviews of Portland Rock Gym (Gym)

Mackensie Gaddy

This is an awesome gym with lots to offer! Great bouldering and climbing routes, yoga and gym. I would give it 5 stars except for the staff...they need some instruction in customer service. Not like anyone is outright rude, they just ignore you. At first, I thought maybe this was just an off day, but after coming for a few weeks this seems to be the norm. Quite often when I come in there will be staff sitting on the front counter having a conversation with other staff, and very seldom do they greet you, or even make eye contact. If you have to ask for equipment, they'll often hand it to you without stopping their conversation with other staff. When you leave the gym, same thing. No "goodbye", or wave or even a head nod most of the time. It just feels very impersonal and off-putting. Jonah is the only one I can say who does not fit in this category. He often knows customers by name, and always smiles and says hello when you come in or he sees you in the gym. He should lead the other staff in a customer service training, because they really create a clicky, unwelcoming vibe that dampers an awesome gym!

Bri Valdez

Love love love. Professional, friendly, and helpful staff, ever-changing routes, plus a tasty cafe with a view of your fellow climbers.

Chris Jefferys

PRG is a great place to climb! I had a pleasant experience tonight in the gym. It was a little busy, which I can expect after work on a weekday, but my belay test was smooth and easy. I will be back!

Aimee Pare

Great place to be and strengthen together.

Andrew M

The expansion is really going to take this from a good gym to a top notch gym Lots of bike theft in the area, be careful.

Kelly Cramton

Awesome climbing gym! It feels like my home away from home. Friendly staff and amazing route setters. The climbs are well graded because the setters use input from other climbers when they set a new route for a good consensus on the routes grade and rating. Nice gym equipment also!

Tim Van Dyne

We had a great team building event at PRG. Staff was very accommodating our group of 11 people.

Nicholas Erler

Great for indoor top roping, friendly staff.

Nick Rondinone

I went to Portland Rock Gym for Friday night heights and was blown away! Our instructor Ethan was literally the best instructor I have ever come across. He answered every single question I had and never missed a beat. Really cool place.

Niall Giblin

PRG is the best gym in Portland! Amazing route setting, friendly staff and overall great atmosphere. Whether you're new to climbing or very experienced this gym is highly recommended.

Kyle Kemenyes

Great local rock gym! It's a wonderful, relaxed place where the staff is always happy to chat or give advice. The constantly rotate out routes at the ideal time to keep things fresh. Their classes are phenomenal and instructors are truly passionate about climbing. My only criticism would be that their lock room facilities leave a little to be desired but it's certainly forgiven when looking at the place as a whole

Dylan Jones

I can't say enough about this place. Their staff are amazing and their facilities are top notch! It's a great place to learn to climb for youth and adults and prices are very reasonable too.

Philip Lanthrum

Great gym! There are plenty of routes and boulders whether you're a beginner or you've been doing this for a while. Service at the front desk wasn't the best but it may have just been a bad day.

Alex Knight

Awesome place. Friendly staff. The pricing if just right.

Tristan Pierce

Checked out Circuit Bouldering Gym and was less then impressed. Came here the following weeks and was very happy with the routes and ended up getting a membership. This is one of the best climbing gyms I have been to.

Ansel Wallace

Great Rocks, Great Staff and Great Routes.

Eric Nordstrom

Amazing gym. I've been a member for over a year, climbing every week. PRG has great facilities, knowledgeable staff, and a convenient location. This gym creates a down to earth environment. I feel welcomed whenever I'm here and my skills continue to grow!

Nathan Cook

Lots of fun

Ethan Bean

Always a new route to try and friendly interesting people!

Toby Contreras

I'm a member of PRG and contacted them about a group event with clients from Guide Dogs for the Blind to try out climbing. Eddie West was my contact throughout the process and was enthusiastic about the event and the mission. We had our event this past Friday (10/18/19) and it was a hit. All of our attendees had a great time and several are already searching out climb gym options in their hometowns (they were in Portland for a reunion weekend). Thank you Eddie, Ingrid and PRG!

Jason Lee

This has been my go to gym, off and on, for the past six years. Seen the changes and the new altered identity of what used to be a more accessible gym. My guess is that they felt the need to compete with the national brand that moved to town two years ago. My beef is that being strictly a rope Climber, they did little to enhance or improve the gym. Prices have continually gone up over the past year (20% since Sept) and since I'm not into bouldering, yoga, or their "gym", the value of membership has significantly declined. The crowds are getting bigger, lines for routes are longer (especially Monday nights), and there's little parking (Portland 3.0). Your experience may vary based on your interests but I'm finding it harder to pay the increases for "improvements".

Helen Burton

Good neighborhood gym with a variety of equipment and machines.

Grant Engrav

Great atmosphere. I was new to climbing, and felt welcome by staff and members. Facilities are solid, staff is helpful and knowledgeable.

Decater Collins

This is, in my experience, the best of the climbing gyms in Portland. They have just expanded, more than doubling the bouldering area, and adding a restaurant and yoga room upstairs. The staff is friendly, and the amenities are nice. If you can't make it outside on real rock, this the place you want to climb.

Ly Do

Great place to climb indoors. Family friendly- kids have birthday parties, lessons, and climb club. Routes changed regularly, bouldering area, yoga classes for $5, weight room and aerobic machines (treadmill, ellypticals, stairmaster). Busy hours M-F 3pm-8pm, Sat-Sun 3pm-6pm. The manager, Jason Rall is great! (helpful, informative, unpretentious, friendly)

Sylvia Ciborowski

I've been going to PRG for ten years and I love it. The routes are interesting, challenging, and well set - and are changed out often enough so there is always some variety. The membership is a great deal, and also includes yoga classes and free passes for friends throughout the year.

craig richards

We went as a team building event. Eric and all the staff at the gym did a great job teaching all of us new climbers. Lots of fun and incorporated some other activities that made us work together. Highly recommend .

Demi Glidden

This gym is clean and delightful! The problems/routes are always entertaining and I've made some great friends there. Highly recommend their climbing classes!!

Nathan Collins

Portland Rock Gym is my favorite Portland rock gym! I agree with the other reviewer that if you primarily rope climb here then the prices have been going up without much benefit since the expansion. I like the vibe and staff here way better than at Planet Granite. I hired a guide from PRG years ago when I was first getting into multipitch and it was a great experience.

Travis Drake

Given the competition here in Portland (Planet Granite, Circuit), the Portland Rock Gym is in need of an update. The space is rather small, there is an imbalance with regard to top-roping and lead climbing (lots of lead but not much TR), and the route setting is uninspired. Maybe if they charged closer to 10 bucks for a visit rather than 17, this gym would be worth considering.

amy davis

Seems to me that route setting should occur during low-use times. I paid full price only to find that 6 lead routes were blocked off due to the setting of new routes. Perhaps PRG should charge less $ when less routes are available or pay their setters to do this either when the gym is closed to patrons or at times that aren't peak hours. Just makes good business sense.

Charles Tronolone

Good, challenging climbs all the time. Cool staff and well equipped weight room.

Justine McConville

This gym is a wonderful, welcoming community space. They offer amazing classes and camps!

Gaelen Burns

This is my personal favorite rock gym! I just love it - enough of everything, even auto belays for those days when partners can't make it! They change the routes quickly too. Top notch!

Aaron Cannistra

Staff are truly terrible. At least the routes aren't as bad as the staff.

Antonio Fernandez Rioja

I was here climbing in...1997. An Incredible and friendly place . I must return here

Zachary Lincoln

Great gym! Amazing facilities, challenging route setters, friendly staff, welcoming community, great yoga and food options. Really a complete experience!

Asa Paonaskar

I would say it’s the greatest gym in all of Portland, but I haven’t climbed at all the gyms. The rope routes are shorter in height than planet granite, but are much more difficult: 5.9 at Portland Rock Gym is about a 5.7+ at Granite(at least to me). The circut is fun but it doesn’t seem the same. The community is just so much more inviting and friendly. You can walk in not knowing how to climb and not feel ashamed or out of place. If you’re wanting to climb this is the place to go.

Hadrien LeMonde

A great gym for climbers! Staff is nice and professional. All ages, genders and levels are welcomed. I wished that the top and lead routes would be changed each month instead of every two months but the rotation remains decent and you still have lots of opportunity to bolder, top and lead climb. You have also all sort of classes such as Yoga accessible to members and non members as well. In addition their vegetarian restaurant makes really good food!

Stephanie Rege

Our family just started climbing several months ago and love our membership at PRG. Between climbing, bouldering, yoga, and the small gym with free weights, cardio machines, etc., there's no better value membership that would be as much fun. My husband and I also get up a couple of nights each week and love developing as climbing partners. We've met plenty of kind people and have received excellent instruction from climbing guides and yoga teachers.

James Rohlfing

PRG is simply a great place to spend a few hours climbing. The staff are very friendly, laid back, and helpful. The memberships are very reasonably priced, providing discounts for students and veterans. They constantly change the routes and have a nice array of TR and lead with all different skill levels. I would highly recommend this place to friends. In fact, I bring my friends here all the time :)

Kaori Freda

Been climbing here for three years- great 1-1 technique classes, yoga, and routes!

Scott Gregg

I came into PRG and told the front desk I was interested in a membership. I had been a member at Planet Granite the winter before, but this place was closer to home, and less expensive, so I figured I'd make the switch, but just as a caveat, that's really the only thing I have to compare PRG to. I was politely shown a pamphlet with a list of options. I used to work in gyms, and I found it odd that I wasn't offered a tour of the facility or told anything about it. No: "have you been here before?" or "want me to show you around?"...Just a pamphlet. I didn't think too much of it - I figured it had everything that Planet Granite had, just maybe on a slightly smaller scale, hence the slightly lower monthly fee - but it was sort of off-putting just being handed a pamphlet. I chose a membership and got signed up. I walked through the facility but had to go ask the front desk where the locker rooms were, then had to ask them if I have to do a belay test, then find out members have to bring their own belay-devices...That's when I realized I could have avoided wasting everyons time, including my own, if even a little bit about the facility was explained or shown to me when I walked in and said I was interested in signing up. I ended up canceling the membership right after I signed up because my first experience in the gym just wasn't good at all. The staff wasn't rude at all, but they weren't welcoming at all either. ***Edit/Update*** My original review of PRG was for three stars, but after writing my review, I recieved an email from the GM, Erik, about my experience at the gym. He was extremely apologetic, and took care to ask about the situation in a way that welcomed feedback so that they could imrove their quality of service. The way a business handles an unfortunate situation should definitely count for something, and I definitely felt listened to and validated for my frustration. I'm hoping that my experiene was just an honest mistake, and I think I will be back sometime to give it another go.

R Wilson

PRG seems like a really cool place, one I'd love to revisit when I get better at bouldering. They play great music, there's a nice veggie/juice/food place upstairs, and the rates are about the same or cheaper than some of the other gyms in town. And the staff are all really sweet! However... I don't think it's the best place for beginners climbing V0 - V3 (although I can't speak for the classes!) as the environment seems really geared towards pretty seasoned climbers. I just never felt comfortable being there because a lot of the climbers (not the staff) were weirdly judgy. Started out really excited about it and got a month long membership, but I think I only went two or three times in the last two weeks because the climbers there just weren't super awesome towards a non-shredder, haha. Maybe next year!

NicksFort

They have auto belays (each with two routes) and a lot of top rope and lead climb. Bouldering areas big. It’s a clean place and people at the gym are relaxed. It has a chill vibes (not a bro I love EDM vibe). The staff could be friendlier/more welcoming (well some of them are, some are not). Overall great spot. Ceilings are high also!

Asa Reed

Awesome rock gym! They have a wide variety of styles of climbing for all levels of climbers. Wish there we're a few more auto belays, but if youre bringing a friend learn how to belay and then that won't matter haha

Brenda Goddard

I've been to several rock gyms in my time and PRG is my favorite by far. I appreciate that its not a corporate gym and it has a "family" vibe. The staff are helpful, friendly and knowledgeable and I've been enjoying the cafe, yoga classes, routes and climbing classes. Over the weekend I participated in a Gym to Crag class led by Kate. It was every bit worth my time and $. Excellent instruction, fun routes and Carver is a great location. Thanks PRG!

Nick Grout

Friendly staff and great climbing. Even while busy there's still places to boulder. Climbing can get crowded though.

Jean von Bargen

Camille, Richard and Jonah were stellar in their attentiveness and supportive safety roles throughout my daughter's party. We had a diverse group of kids with autistic and ADHD behaviors plus a age range from 6-9 y.o. Portland Rock Gym can be accessible to anyone who really wants to try out climbing. My daughter is autistic with ADHD and anxiety disorder and she was up the wall like a rocket and happy as a clam.

Preston Ferguson

So chill. Get gripped, have fun. No judgements, no pressure.

gabe asch

Great place to climb! The staff are all very friendly and helpful. I recommend this climbing gym to all my friends!

Colin Parker

This place is awesome. I've been climbing for about 8 years and I've been to over a dozen gyms, and this one is my favorite. This place has a great mix of TR, sport and bouldering and the route-setting is top notch. Kat's routes are especially good. They rotate the routes every 3 months and allow the climbers to give feedback on quality and difficulty. Finally, the membership rates are pretty reasonable and the location is very convenient. After the construction is finished this place is gonna be a gem.

Kristi K

Love this gym!! Matt and the guys at the desk are awesome, super helpful. Love that it's not an intimidating gym just fun climbing plus the setting is great too!!

Sara Schneider

Portland Rock Gym is just what you want a climbing gym to be. It has high walls full of fun, challenging, and regularly changing routes as well as a crew of regulars that makes every minute full of laughter. The staff are very helpful and lead great clinics and outdoor guiding trips.

Adrian Schnuck

Great bouldering routes.

Shannon Lee

Amazing, wonderful place! I am new to climbing and the Staff and members have been really encouraging and helpful. I tried other gyms, but nowhere else felt inviting or remotely welcoming. But now I’m in my second month at PRG and I feel like I have friends on the wall and behind the counter. Also, the routes are really great. Stellar job by the setters! I imagine anyone could set a route that’s hard to climb, but they have some special skill that makes them FUN to climb! I am so glad I joined! I could survive at another gym, but I am thriving at PRG.

Joseph Myers

I have joined this gym this month with the goal to get back into climbing shape for a steady active vertical lifestyle and so far it has not let me down. So glad to have it as my go to climbing opportunity for weekday workouts.

Jessica Kimmet

I decided to try climbing after a nasty fall down a flight of stairs caused a fear of heights. I started with the introductory class where you don't really learn how to tie the ropes, you just climb and get used to the heights. I ended up really enjoying it, took the full class, and now go about 2 times per week. The staff are helpful and friendly. My only frustration is how packed it gets in the winter. I also wish they offered more yoga classes. But I know they don't have the space.

Howard Fan

Went bouldering here for the first time ever, and had a blast! The people working there are friendly and helpful, and it's a blast to meet the other people there.

Elias Stucky

Clean space. Awesome and nice staff. Climbs are fun; a good combination of easy climbs (V0 - V4) and moderates (V5 - V7), with the occasional hard (V8 +) climb peppered in. They have a Moon Board®, and a few auto-belays. Yoga, and a small fitness areas. Having Prasad East inside the same space is also a plus.

Eliana Sheriff

This is hands down the best rock gym in Portland! Friendly staff, amazing routes, clean facility.

Sterling Van Doren

Great atmosphere. Clean, safe and fun.

Big Jim

I really like this place! friendly staff. Great routes.

Brad Lucas

Super nice gym awesome staff! Stiles and Andre helped me with everything!

Peter Hillis

Been using this gym for almost a year. Great facility, friendly staff, routes changed regularly.

Heather Munn

My FAVORITE rock gym! There are always fun new routes to try and plenty of auto belays. The climbers are always so friendly that I have never had trouble finding climbing partners for the day. The yoga classes are always exactly what I want, and love being able to grab a snack or a drink during climbing breaks, too.

Betty B

I'm too old for this sport, but my granddaughter took me here to show off to me and some guys that work here. They were perfect gentlemen and the equipment seemed to be really safe and clean.

Michael Ardron

PRG is a really friendly gym and a great place to climb.

Bill Shubert

Fun top roping and lead climbing. Some bouldering but not a huge amount. The staff is really nice and I like the atmosphere.

Jeremy Frey

I'm not going to the Pearl just to pull plastic...

Jake Harris

This is my home away from home. Both the lead and top rope routes are great and always changing. Great community, too: people are so friendly and encourage each other.

Michael Zasadzien

My gold standard of rock gyms. Great community, superb and thought provoking route setting. Good price-quality ratio. Ive missed you guys so much since moving away!!

Eric Schmidt

Great staff and an awesome gym. Always clean and the routes are updated weekly. By far the best place to climb in Portland.

Caitlin Morris

The PRG is my favorite place to hang out and climb with friends! The space is super open and inviting, the setters set fun yet challenging routes and problems, and there are always friendly customers around to give you beta :)

Brad Beattie

Nice clean gym. Not that many top rope routes. Great if you're lead climbing though.

Christina Provencio

Friendly and helpful staff. Many climbing options with new routes often. Rentals and classes are available. They also have a great yoga & fitness program.

Andrei Istratov

The worst customer service experience that I had in years. Went there in the early morning to get a permanent belay card to be able to belay my kid. I am certified at two other main Portland rock climbing gyms but not at Portland Rock Gym. I introduced myself and stated that I only want to take a belay test, so that I could bring in my kid and belay him The girl at front desk started by saying that why don't I come with my son some other time and get a test and a card then. I said, I am already here, I came specifically for this test, why can't I get it now? It felt that she just did not want to do it. I could not get a reasonable explanation from her why the test could not be done today. Next, during our conversation, I revealed to her that I have my own Grigri and intend to use it during my visits. She said, if you plan to use grigri, you have to take a test every time you come and we will only give you a day card because our philosophy is to use and test with ATC. Great! I am paranoid about safety, but I expect the gym to be just as pananoid. They are the only gym in town who not only do not provide grigris, but also apparently discourage their use. Why would I use an ATC to belay my kid if I happen to own a grigri with vastly superior safety features? I can accept that a gym may have its own standards, and if I would fail the test because I was not aware of some of their gym-specific requirements, I would accept this. If they would say, if you plan to use GriGri, we would have to test you on both, GriGri and ATC to make sure you can operate both, fine. But I cannot accept the unwillingness to give me a test and even more so clearly expressed discouragement of GriGri - that I cannot even get a permanent card if I plan to use GriGri. All my experience in climbing gyms so far, until this encounter, was that people and staff there are extremely nice. Apparently, being nice and welcoming is not a part of Portland Rock Gym philosophy. Driving paying customers away is their philosophy. One star rating, well deserved.

Cole Herning

Been climbing here for a couple of months. Great place! Staff is friendly and helpful. There's a great selection of difficulties in the walls. Nice little gym attached. Can't wait for the new area to open!

Luke Wright

Probably 3.5 stars here with room to go up. First time to this gym and had a great time. What a clean and accessible facility with a great deal to offer (several walls and routes, auto belay, lots of bouldering, weights, and more!) Really disappointed by the front desk staff. Poor communication skills, poor attitude, not helpful, not grateful when I thanked them for my experience...silent. I understand that this isn't the norm, and I will definitely return but not if this is a regular experience. Hope you have better days bro!

MacKenzie T. Stout

Good gym but faults appear in the service at times. They failed to notice a break in their guidelines for a lead card test from the other participant and subsequently were unwilling to coach me about how to improve for a future test. I recently took their lead clinic and was surprised by their attitude about my simple request for assistance.

Daniel Hughart

Having travelled all around the northwest for work, and climbed at a wide variety of gyms in my time off, it has always been a treat to return home the the PRG. Without doubt, it is the nicest, most modern gym I have had the pleasure of climbing at. Between a large selection of top rope and lead climbs as well as a substantial bouldering area, there's something for everyone. The included yoga classes and fitness area are great as well.

Galen Pyle

Very cool place, lots of fun, I enjoyed the rock climbing class for beginners! Great spot to go.

lVictor Garcia

Buen Lugar. Lo recomiendo para todos los niveles.

James Fall

Good place, too crowded

Reva Golden

Great routes and bouldering, nice facilities, knowledgeable/friendly staff. Their outdoor climbing tours are a great experience and great value!

David Lumsden

I have been going to PRG for almost four years. It has been an almost constant source of rest and rejuvenation. I can not tell you how many times I have been down when arriving at the gym only to leave with a smile on my face. This has less to do with climbing the walls and more to do with the people who I interact with. The community has always been welcoming and a joy to be around. The climbs are challenging while not being impossible to complete. I love this place.

Daniel Paulson

Very big place, lots of walls!! Friendly staff too.

Vince Bataluna

I have been a member for about three years. I have started at the gym with a little experience and now am climbing outside leading my own routes with friends I have picked up in those three years. The staff are really friendly and can guide a person towards any fitness goal that climbing has to offer.. I would do it all over again if I had to