The Joe’s Valley Bouldering Festival began with a few people climbing boulders in the area of Joe’s Valley Reservoir and Straight Canyon. Now it has evolved into one of the premier outdoor events in the state of Utah.
Founded in 2015 by a small but passionate team of organizers, “the Fest” has quickly become one of the top rock climbing events in America. From its inception, the goal of the Fest has been to foster connections between the growing numbers of visiting climbers and the residents of Emery County. The festival recently won an award for the economic impact that the festival has from the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
This year the festival runs from October 5-7.
Events at the festival include restorative yoga sessions, a local artisan clinic, cowboy games (including chicken chases to hide races), music and dancing, a ghost tour and on the first day night bouldering.
On that Saturday there will be a hiking tour of New Joe’s, a Kid’s Rock clinic, and a beginners intro to climbing. There will also be a seminar on Mindfulness and Mental Training. There will also be some wacky games like table bouldering, crate stacking, and the Ninja Line. End the day with tales of Castle Country and its development into the climbing area it is today.
Sunday will bring free coffee and donuts and then a public service project cleaning up the canyon after all the festival activities. Many say this is one of the best events of the weekend because of the camaraderie it creates between those that attend.
It is one of the most unusual festivals that exist anywhere in the country.