Adaptive Climbers Festival Brings Adventure, Inclusion and Community to Lee County

The Adaptive Climbers Festival will return to the Red River Gorge and Lago Linda Hideaway near Beattyville, Kentucky, October 15–18, 2026. The annual festival creates a welcoming space where climbers with disabilities can come together to climb, learn, build friendships and celebrate the freedom of outdoor adventure.

Through adaptive equipment, specialized climbing techniques and the assistance of trained volunteers, participants can experience rock climbing in ways adapted to their individual needs. The festival works in partnership with Catalyst Sports, a nonprofit adaptive sports organization, and brings together climbers with disabilities, able-bodied allies, family members, guides and volunteers.

A Festival Built Around Climbing and Community

The Adaptive Climbers Festival is about much more than reaching the top of a climbing route. It is about removing physical and social barriers, encouraging independence and creating a community where every participant has the opportunity to challenge themselves.

Festival activities help climbers of different ability and experience levels discover the equipment, techniques and personal adaptations that work best for them. Previous festivals have included introductory outdoor climbing opportunities, specialized clinics and spaces where experienced adaptive climbers can share techniques and encouragement with newcomers.

Lago Linda Hideaway serves as the festival’s home base, providing a peaceful gathering place where participants can camp, reconnect after a day of climbing and enjoy the natural beauty of Eastern Kentucky.

The festival began with approximately 30 participants and has continued to grow, now welcoming nearly 300 climbers, volunteers, guides, family members and supporters. Adaptive climbers travel from throughout the United States—and some from Canada—to experience the festival, the climbing community and the world-renowned Red River Gorge.

Why Beattyville and Lee County?

Lago Linda Hideaway is ideally located near some of the Red River Gorge region’s most significant climbing areas. Just minutes away are the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve and the Bald Rock Recreational Preserve, two major climbing destinations protected and managed by the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition.

The Coalition manages more than 1,000 acres of protected recreational land in Lee County. The Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve alone includes approximately 750 acres purchased by the Coalition to permanently secure climbing access, making it one of the largest climber-owned properties in the country.

Together, the Pendergrass-Murray and Bald Rock preserves provide access to hundreds of established climbing routes, from approachable walls for developing climbers to challenging sport-climbing routes that attract experienced climbers from around the world.

Lee County Tourism recognizes the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition for its continued investment in conserving climbing access and protecting these remarkable landscapes. Its work to preserve natural resources, maintain sustainable recreation opportunities and create welcoming outdoor spaces has helped establish Lee County as an important part of the Red River Gorge climbing community. Read more about the Cave Fork Recreational Preserve, purchased in 2025!

Beyond the Cliffs

The Red River Gorge is a major attraction in its own right, drawing visitors from across the United States and around the world to experience its sandstone cliffs, natural arches, forested trails and scenic landscapes.

For Adaptive Climbers Festival attendees, the event is also an opportunity to explore the communities and attractions surrounding the Gorge. Many participants are introduced to the hospitality of small-town Eastern Kentucky while visiting locally owned restaurants, shops and attractions.

Visitors can spend time in downtown Beattyville, explore the Birthplace of the Kentucky River, enjoy scenic drives through Lee County or extend their trip to visit the greater Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

This combination of world-class climbing, protected recreational land, beautiful scenery and welcoming communities makes Lee County a natural home for the Adaptive Climbers Festival. Participants can spend their days climbing and their evenings relaxing, sharing stories and building friendships at Lago Linda Hideaway.

The Right to Take Risks and Grow

At the heart of the Adaptive Climbers Festival is the belief that people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities to experience adventure, accept challenges and take meaningful risks as anyone else.

The festival’s short film, “Right to Risk,” follows three attendees as they climb, build community and share their perspectives on the importance of having the freedom to take risks and grow. The film debuted at the Mountainfilm Festival and Outside Days in 2026.

Watch this video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQT1ObOZ4ig

Welcome to Lee County

Beattyville/Lee County Tourism is proud to welcome the Adaptive Climbers Festival back to the community and extends its appreciation to the festival organizers, Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, Catalyst Sports, volunteers, sponsors and community partners who help make the event possible.

What began as a small gathering has grown into a powerful celebration of inclusion, courage and community. Together, the organizers and participants are helping ensure that the outdoors remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to climb, explore and belong.

For more information and complete festival information, visit https://www.adaptiveclimbersfest.org/