1. (a)

   1. (1) Arkansas contains significant and extensive geological resources favorable for rock climbing and rappelling.
   2. (2) Furthermore, Arkansas has a long history of rock climbing and has become a desired destination for recreational climbing.
   3. (3) In order to responsibly manage rock climbing and steward the natural resources in which climbing occurs, this section establishes that rock climbing and rappelling on state park property is permitted at approved sites only.

2. (b) Site selection.

   1. (1) Superintendents of state parks that have sites considered desirable for rock climbing and/or rappelling are encouraged to submit requests to the Director of the State Parks Division for approval.

   2. (2) Requests should include complete details of the site, including:

      1. (A) The site location;
      2. (B) A detailed description;
      3. (C) Any potential impacts to the park’s natural and cultural resources;
      4. (D) Any recreational uses;
      5. (E) Facilities;
      6. (F) Long-term development or master planning;
      7. (G) Safety hazards;
      8. (H) Weather;
      9. (I) Time-of-day influences;
      10. (J) Proposed rules and signing for the site; and
      11. (K) Degree of supervision considered necessary for use by the public.

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Approved sites may have signage indicating that the location is approved for rappelling and rock climbing.
      2. (B) Signage should include any restriction that may apply, such as hours of acceptable use.

3. (c) Definitions.

   1. (1) Arkansas contains significant geologic resources favorable for rock climbing and rappelling.

   2. (2) Rock climbing and rappelling are generally categorized as follows:

      1. (A)

4. (i) Sport climbing.

   1. (ii) Climbing predominantly involving the use of:
5. (a) (a) Fixed hardware;

6. (b) (b) Ropes;

   1. (c) (c) Harnesses;

      1. (d) (d) Chalk; and

7. (e) (e) Removable quickdraws (carabiners plus fabric sling);

   1. (B)

      1. (i) Trad climbing.

         1. (ii) Climbing predominantly involving the use of removable equipment (cams and stoppers, primarily) placed in the rock by the climber for protection.
         2. (iii) Also uses the equipment listed above.
         3. (iv) Common on rock features containing cracks/fissures and other features where removable gear can be placed;

      2. (C)

         1. (i) Bouldering.
         2. (ii) Climbing involving only shoes, chalk, and a bouldering pad that emphasizes difficult and often gymnastic-like movements on boulders.
         3. (iii) Generally found on boulders and small bluffs that are low to the ground where serious injury from falling is unlikely;

      3. (D)

         1. (i) Mixed climbing.
         2. (ii) A combination of both sport and trad climbing; and

      4. (E)

         1. (i) Rappelling.
         2. (ii) Differentiated from rock climbing in that rappelling begins at the top of a rock face with the rappeller lowering down the face using ropes, harnesses, lowering devices, and often fixed hardware that has been placed in the rock at the top of the rock face.
         3. (d) Rules for rock climbing and rappelling in Arkansas state parks. The following rules will apply to rock climbing and rappelling in Arkansas state parks:
   2. (1) Rock climbers and/or rappellers must complete and sign the Rappelling and Rock Climbing Checklist Liability Release;
   3. (2) A parent or legal guardian must complete the checklist and liability release form for all minors (those aged seventeen (17) and under);

   4. (3)

      1. (A) Rock climbers and rappellers shall minimize their impacts to the sites and follow leave-no-trace principles.
      2. (B) Climbers bouldering shall guard against unnecessary damage to flora by limiting cleaning of boulders and keeping crash pads in the staging area;
   5. (4) Climbers and rappellers are expected to stay on established trails and refrain from establishing “social” trails;

   6. (5)

      1. (A) The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism recognizes that fixed hardware is an accepted and essential component both in safely facilitating rock climbing and in protecting natural resources.
      2. (B) The department shall allow the placement and maintenance of fixed hardware (i.e., bolts) where appropriate and is encouraged to consult with a qualified local climbing organization (e.g., Arkansas Climbers Coalition) for the accepted best practices for the management of fixed hardware;
   7. (6) Chipping, gluing, or otherwise manufacturing holds is forbidden;

   8. (7)

      1. (A) Rappellers/climbers shall use equipment and safety gear appropriate for the activity.
      2. (B) The department is not liable or responsible for any equipment used by rappellers or climbers, nor is the department liable or responsible for any fixed hardware.
      3. (C) Rappellers and climbers assume all liability and risk associated with the use of fixed hardware;
   9. (8) Rappelling and climbing participants shall conduct themselves in a courteous and orderly manner and abide by local, state, and federal laws, as well as obey all park rules; and

   10. (9) In any and all cases, state park management shall:

       1. (A) Have complete and final authority over all sites; and
       2. (B) Retain the authority to revoke any privileges issued for rappelling/climbing activities.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "MAY 1, 2022 PARK DIRECTIVE 3085" "Reviewed by the Arkansas Legislative Council – Administrative Rules Sub-Committee on___________________, ___________. ATTACHMENT: RAPPELLING AND ROCK CLIMBING CHECKLIST AND LIABILITY RELEASE" "Replaces PD 3085 dated July 1, 2014 "