Madison Heights, Michigan, United States
Planet Rock has been teaching people to climb in Michigan since 1994, when it opened in an old warehouse in Pontiac. The Madison Heights gym on West 13 Mile Road took over from that first site in 2014 and is one of three Planet Rock gyms, with Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids. Memberships cover all three.
First-timers aged 16 and over can book the Starter Package, which covers bouldering, auto-belays and top-rope belaying; anyone short of time can buy a day pass with a free boulder and auto-belay orientation. Further courses run from a free Climbing 101 technique class to lead, anchor building, outdoor sport climbing, crack climbing on Tuesday evenings and ice climbing in winter. Yoga is free with any pass or membership, and children can climb from age 4, with weekly youth classes and a competition team. Climbers of Color meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, Send Sisters nights for women and gender-queer climbers alternate with Ann Arbor, and the gym hosts the 6 Hour Rope Rodeo each November and the Coney Classic bouldering comp.
A pro shop, coffee bar, fireplace lounge with a shared workspace and free Wi-Fi, showers, lockers and a private room for parties and groups.
As we last found them. Prices change, so check the wall's website before you go.
- Student or military: $21
- Youth (15 and under): $16
- Crank Night: $13 day passes on Wednesdays 19:00 - 22:00
- Starter Package (lesson, gear, climbing and a free return day pass within 30 days; ages 16+): $45
- Day passes include a free bouldering and auto-belay orientation; experienced climbers can take a free top-rope or lead belay check
- 5-visit punch pass: $100; 10-visit: $195 (valid for a year)
- Rental: shoes $7, harness $5, chalk $3, belay device $2, GriGri $5, bundle $13 ($16 with a GriGri), lead rope $7
- One-time enrolment fee: $50; renews monthly until cancelled
- Annual membership: $955 (about $79.50 a month)
- Student semester membership: $360 for 4 months (student ID, in person)
- Family annual membership (3 or more people, in person): $855 per adult, $695 per under-18
- Freeze for up to 3 months at $10 a month
- Includes all three Planet Rock gyms, free yoga, a top-rope lesson, a guest pass a month and 15% off in the pro shop
As the wall announced them. Plans change, so check with the wall before you go.
Try SCARPA climbing shoes on the walls during Planet Rock's SCARPA demo week, with 20% off SCARPA shoes bought at the demo (25% for members).
Try SCARPA climbing shoes on the walls during Planet Rock's SCARPA demo week, with 20% off SCARPA shoes bought at the demo (25% for members).
Free for members and climbers in costume; otherwise a day pass
Climb in the dark by headlamp for Halloween; costumes welcome. Climbers and belayers both need a headlamp.
$10 with rental gear, $5 members
After-hours climbing night for women and gender-queer climbers, including trans and non-binary people. Come before closing for a belay check or free orientation; pre-registration required.
$60, members $50
Endurance comp in which teams of two climb as many routes as they can in six hours, with 5.10-and-under, 5.11-and-up and masters categories, an hour of climbing by headlamp and pancakes at midnight. Both partners need a belay check; doors open at 16:30.
“Staff is well educated about proper climbing, and provides assistance when needed. Other gym goers are friendly too! Provides bouldering, top-rope, and lead climbs for a variety of skill levels.”
“A great place to experience the sport. It was my first time ever. The place is nicely managed, clean and feels very inviting.”
“This place it's pretty cool for newbies and experienced climbers. They change the routes amevery now and then so there's constantly new challenges. The parking can be a problem at times…”
Ratings as each site showed them in October 2026.
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Write a reviewHow climbers have done climbs at Planet Rock Madison Heights, played from where they were posted. Walls reset their climbs every few weeks, so check when each was posted.