FunKidsActivities

Boulders Climbing Gym - East

3964 Commercial Ave, Madison, WI 53714, USA

Overview

Category:Climbing Gyms
Location:Madison, WI

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Boulders Climbing Gym - East is highly recommended for families seeking a welcoming, clean, and inclusive environment for climbing, suitable for both absolute beginners and more experienced climbers. Its unique value proposition lies in its exceptional, friendly staff who provide helpful direction and support, especially for children, making it an ideal venue for first-time experiences and memorable birthday parties for elementary-aged kids.

Key Highlights

  • Excellent, friendly, kind, and fun staff who are welcoming and inclusive.
  • Informative orientation for first-timers, ensuring an easy setup.
  • Many climbing routes available, accommodating both beginners and seasoned climbers.
  • Features both bouldering and ropes climbing, with individual and combined sections.
  • A handful of auto belays are available, useful for solo climbers or parents supervising children.
  • The facility is consistently described as 'very clean'.
  • Staff actively helps kiddos during birthday celebrations and provides helpful direction.
  • Community room available for booking private events like birthday parties.
  • Encourages young girls to feel brave and strong.
  • Good atmosphere for a one-off experience.

Standout Features

  • Knowledgeable and supportive staff, particularly with children.
  • Variety of climbing options (bouldering, ropes, auto belays).
  • Dedicated community room for private events like birthday parties.
  • High standards of cleanliness throughout the facility.
  • Beginner-friendly setup and instruction.
  • Workout area and weekly slab challenge (appeals to more athletic individuals or older teens).

Perfect For

Excellent for elementary-aged children (specifically mentioned a 7-year-old loved it and had a birthday party there).
Suitable for beginners of all ages, suggesting younger kids capable of climbing can participate.
Accommodates 'seasoned climbers', meaning older children and teens won't be bored and can find challenging routes.

Ideal For

Birthday parties for elementary school-aged children (e.g., 7-year-olds).
First-time family climbing experiences.
Weekend activities with children of varying climbing skill levels (beginners to seasoned).
Parents looking for a safe, clean, and supervised environment for kids to try rock climbing.
Encouraging physical activity and confidence in young girls.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • This gym is ideal for a child's birthday party, especially for kids aged 7 and up, due to staff support and party room availability.
  • Parents considering regular visits should investigate monthly pricing thoroughly, as it's a reported drawback.
  • First-time visitors can expect an easy setup and informative orientation.
  • Utilize the auto belays if climbing solo or needing hands-free assistance while supervising children.
  • It's a great option for a one-off family weekend activity or trying climbing for the first time.

Things to Consider

  • Monthly pricing is perceived as 'insane' or very expensive, making it less appealing for regular, long-term memberships.

Price & Value

Offers a '5-star experience' for one-off visits or special occasions like birthday parties. However, the monthly pricing is described as 'insane', suggesting poor value for frequent, regular use, but good value for occasional visits or events.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not mentioned in reviews (though a 'community room' for parties might imply some food allowance).

🚗Parking Info

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Helpful direction provided to kids by staff ensures a safe experience.
  • Reviewers 'felt very safe' during activities.
  • Staff assistance during birthday celebrations contributes to a supervised and safe environment.
  • Orientation for first-timers helps ensure safe practices from the start.

When to Avoid

  • If you are looking for an affordable, long-term membership for regular visits, as monthly pricing was a significant concern for one reviewer.

Pricing/Package/Events

Pricing & Packages

Day Pass

$25

Duration: 1 day

Full facility access. Does not include rentals. Access to coworking space/lounge (Downtown) and training room (East). Must use within 14 days of purchase.

Includes:
  • Full facility access to two locations
Ages: All ages (general admission)

Discount Days Intro Package

$15

Duration: 1 day

Intro package available on specific discount days. Includes full facility access, rentals, and orientation.

Includes:
  • Full facility access to two locations
  • Rentals
  • Orientation
Ages: First-timers (Tuesdays), Teachers (Thursdays, with ID), Femme-identifying climbers (Fridays), Students (Saturdays, with ID), First responders/Military (Any day, with ID)

Day Pass + Rentals

$30

Duration: 1 day

Full facility access including rentals and orientation. Recommended for first-time climbers. Access to coworking space/lounge (Downtown) and training room (East). Must use within 14 days of purchase.

Includes:
  • Full facility access to two locations
  • Rentals
  • Orientation
Ages: All ages (recommended for first-time climbers)

10 Punch Pass

$225

Duration: 1 year from purchase

Full facility access including rentals. Punches can be shared with family and friends. Expires 1 year from purchase.

Includes:
  • Full facility access to two locations
  • Rentals
  • Shareable passes
Ages: All ages

Individual Monthly Membership

$99/mo

Duration: Monthly

Unlimited access to both locations with member benefits. Commitment-free, cancel or freeze anytime. Family pricing available for additional members.

Includes:
  • Unlimited access to two locations
  • 50% off most classes and private instruction
  • Member-only hours (7am-9am daily)
  • Free access to events
  • 10% off pro shop purchases
  • Free guest pass every month
  • Deals at select local businesses
Ages: All ages

Climb4-Community Membership

Sliding scale

Duration: Monthly

A sliding scale membership designed to increase accessibility to climbing, with extra perks, open to everyone.

Includes:
  • Unlimited access to two locations
  • 50% off most classes and private instruction
  • Member-only hours (7am-9am daily)
  • Free access to events
  • 10% off pro shop purchases
  • Free guest pass every month
  • Deals at select local businesses
Ages: All ages

Student / Military Monthly Membership

$84/mo

Duration: Monthly

Discounted monthly membership for students and military personnel, with a $40 activation fee. Discounted semester and annual options also available (prices not specified).

Includes:
  • Unlimited access to two locations
  • 50% off most classes and private instruction
  • Member-only hours (7am-9am daily)
  • Free access to events
  • 10% off pro shop purchases
  • Free guest pass every month
  • Deals at select local businesses
Ages: Students, Military

Weekly Membership

$40/wk

Duration: Weekly

Flexible membership with no activation fee or commitment, offering unlimited access.

Includes:
  • Unlimited access to two locations
  • 50% off most classes and private instruction
  • Member-only hours (7am-9am daily)
  • Free access to events
  • 10% off pro shop purchases
  • Free guest pass every month
  • Deals at select local businesses
Ages: All ages

Kiddo Climber Pass

$10

Duration: 1 day

A special price for kiddo climbers. Includes full facility access, rentals, and orientation. Must use within 14 days of purchase.

Includes:
  • Full facility access to two locations
  • Rentals
  • Orientation
Ages: 10 and under

Events & Schedule

Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)

Game Night

October 5, 2025

Not specified

Held at Boulders Eastside.

The Trinity

October 18, 2025

Not specified

Event for ages 18+, held at Boulders Eastside.

🍎Food Policy

  • Vending machines available at both locations.

🛡️Safety Policy

  • Free orientation provided upon arrival for new facility users.
  • Share the wall; ensure others get a turn.
  • Check routes for intersections with other climbers.
  • Avoid hanging out in fall zones at the bottom of climbs.
  • Respect people's personal space.
  • No 'beta spraying' (offering unsolicited advice).
  • Climbing shoes required for bouldering.
  • Minors aged 6-14 require an active adult spotter/supervisor at all times while bouldering.
  • Recommended to use a spotter regardless of age or experience for bouldering.
  • Staff teaches proper falling techniques during orientation.
  • Topping out on bouldering wall (Eastside) is optional but requires orientation and is recommended only for confident climbers due to added risks.
  • TruBlue auto-belay systems have an operational weight minimum of 22lbs and a maximum of 330lbs.

📅Booking Policy

  • No reservation needed for individual climbing during open business hours.
  • Groups larger than six climbers (especially those needing staff assistance) should make an appointment via the groups page.
  • Group bookings must be made at least two weeks in advance. Inquiry does not guarantee booking.
  • Allow 48 hours for a response to group booking forms.

🚗Parking Information

  • Free parking lot available at the East location.
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 7 reviews)
  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
  • Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 4 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

lil potter

lil potter

a month ago

First time at this gym, Excellent customer service. Orientation was informative. Both bouldering and ropes climbing. Sections for each individually and sections where they’re combined.

Brendan Hallmark

Brendan Hallmark

5 months ago

Welcoming space, friendly staff, and many climbing routes to accommodate beginners and seasoned climbers. Handful of auto belays if you’re climbing solo. Workout area and a weekly slab challenge!

Adriana Todd

Adriana Todd

7 months ago

We love Boulder! I've visited a couple times before, including with my 7-year old. She enjoyed it so much she asked to invite a couple friends to celebrate her birthday. Can't say enough good things about Boulder and the staff. It is such a welcoming and inclusive place. It is also very clean! We booked their community room and had staff help the kiddos during the birthday celebration. They were so kind and fun! Thankful for the opportunity to encourage young girls to see how brave and strong they are. We can't wait to visit again!

Jennifer Moran

Jennifer Moran

3 months ago

Attended a birthday party here. Very clean, helpful direction to the kids and felt very safe as they tried their hand at rock climbing!

Hannah Johnson

Hannah Johnson

a year ago

Honestly 5 star experience for a one-off experience like a date night or weekend activity with friends. Really easy set up for first timers and very fun! Friendly staff and good atmosphere. Only reason I took off a star is because the monthly pricing looks insane.

Contact Information

3964 Commercial Ave, Madison, WI 53714, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.6
Total Reviews401
Recent Reviews5