Bouldering Project now open on West Side

Bouldering Project now open on West Side
By Tim Spitzack | Editor | December 2025

A new climbing gym recently opened in St. Paul that pits climbers against low walls and obstacles rather than high, vertical walls commonly found at other gyms. At Bouldering Project, which opened in mid-November at 42 W. Water St., St. Paul, all climbing terrain is 17-foot or lower so no ropes or harnesses are needed. While 17 feet may sound high, the floor is essentially one giant soft pad to catch your dismount – or fall. The only equipment needed is a pair of climbing shoes and perhaps a chalk bag to dry sweaty hands, and both are available for rent or sale.

“Bouldering is really accessible and requires a much lower barrier to entry,” said Regional Manager Sean Foster. “There are fewer hard skills to learn, and it requires less gear and training. Bouldering is very focused on movement versus endurance, and it’s also more social. People sit around, watch each other and give advice, and share conversation while waiting their turn.”

The 36,000-square-foot gym is in a fully remodeled former warehouse next to the Esox House apartment complex that opened in June 2024. It features a wide variety of custom-designed climbing terrain, including a 16-by-16-foot Kilter Board that can be rotated to inverse angles to increase climbing difficulty. The gym also has a heated yoga studio with classes for all levels, a fitness space with weight and cardio equipment, single-stall bathrooms, changing rooms and showers, and a co-ed sauna. It also has co-working and social spaces.

If you’re new to the sport, you can take a climbing class or get personal instruction, and the gym offers climbing routes for both novice and advanced climbers. Leagues are also available for climbers who are looking for some friendly competition.
Foster said a high level of camaraderie exists between experienced and new climbers.

“People fall in love with community and see how it reflects in our personal lives,” said Foster. “In bouldering, we often refer to the climbing routes as ‘problems,’ which turns into a lot of metaphors for life on how to ‘solve the problem.’ There is a really nice dance of people mentoring new folks, and new folks being so inquisitive in that shared space and dynamic.”

The St. Paul gym is the company’s 13th in the nation. The success of the Minneapolis location, which opened in 2017, prompted the company to expand to St. Paul. The St. Paul gym will feature more overhanging terrain than Minneapolis, which should entice climbers to visit both locations. Members may use any of the 13 gyms across the country.

The St. Paul gym is staffed by 50 full- and part-time employees. Others will be added as membership grows, and to help support summer camp programs for youth. The gym also has a dedicated youth space. Daily passes are $25 for ages 21 and older; $20 for ages 14-20, and $15 for ages 13 and younger. Monthly rates are $89; $79 and $50, respectively. Additional discounts are offered for annual memberships. Canned coffee, energy drinks, water and packaged food is available for purchase, and parking is free. For more information, visit boulderingproject.com.