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Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
4.6 ★★★★★ 178 Google reviews · Climbing gym in Madison, Wisconsin
Recreation center with an ice rink, a pool, fitness center, climbing wall, jogging track, and other athletic facilities.
Plan your visit
- Day pass around $60 — check current rates; most gyms price gear rental separately and discount off-peak
- Gear rental nearly every climbing gym rents shoes (~$5–8 typical) and chalk; harness rental is often bundled with a ropes pass
- Waiver always required at climbing gyms — sign it online before you go to skip the front-desk line
- First timer? bouldering needs zero experience — rent shoes and walk in; staff will point you at the easiest problems
- Kids programs classes, camps, or youth teams mentioned — check the current schedule
- Yoga & fitness mentioned alongside the climbing — ask about the class schedule and what a pass includes
- Memberships available — worth asking about if you'd climb more than a few times a month
- Today see hours ·
- Phone (608) 262-8244
- Website recwell.wisc.edu
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–8 PM |
What climbers say again and again
“Staff is wonderful, prices are reasonable, and rink is well maintained.”
“Everything is extremely nice and the people in it Everyone is friendly and there are so many thing to do.”
From the reviews
Great facility with a lot of options for new and experienced gym-goers. The only things keeping it from 5 stars is the lack of cohesive machine layout (having to go up two flights of stairs for one of three leg presses, for example) and the lack of strict rule enforcement during public events.
Clean workout areas and locker room, warm pool, friendly staff. No hair dryer in the locker room. Delicious Shake Smart. Windows are bird-safe glass! Looking forward to more workouts in this beautiful new space.
Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center is a well-equipped facility, but there are a few things to keep in mind before visiting. Entry is only permitted with a Wisc card, so make sure to carry it. As you enter, on the left side of the gate, there’s a booth offering protein shakes and other healthy options.
Great place to swim and workout! Nowhere to park though. Staff is always welcoming and friendly. There are always open lanes to swim. Staff is very knowledgeable. This place is super clean and very well maintained. I am GRATEFUL! Gym is open late for those who work late.
Kids classes & camps at Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
Reviews and the gym's own info mention kids programs at Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center — climbing classes, school-break camps, or a youth team where kids learn technique from coaches instead of just scrambling around. Program schedules and age groups change each season, so check the current lineup before you plan around one.
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