Outdoor Adventures Center

Opened in May 2014, the $5.28 million Outdoor Adventures Center is the on-campus home for outdoor academic & non-credit classes, the adventure trips program, challenge course, the UNL bike shop & gear rentals, and Nebraska’s largest climbing & bouldering gym, covering 2,383 sq ft. and 30 rope lines. The layout of the building allows easy access to each activity area independently and the free movement between all areas.

Adventure Programming

The Outdoor Adventures Center is home to the Outdoor Adventures program, existing to engage individuals and groups in adventure experiences for escape, education & enjoyment.

A climber ascends the north face of the Outdoor Adventures Center's Climbing Center west wall. Photo by Kessler Photography

Exterior Climbing Wall

The Outdoor Adventures Center features an exterior rock wall that is open 24/7 for bouldering and has 3 rope lines for special events. The exterior wall designed by Eldorado Climbing Walls was sculpted to look like the upper third of Chimney Rock, an iconic landmark in western Nebraska that served as a milestone of progress for pioneers making their way west along the Oregon Trail.

Bike Lockers

A major focus of the building is to promote bike commuting to campus. The facility has 22 bike lockers for rent. Individuals renting a bike locker or UNL community members purchasing commuter pass a have 24/7 access to the locker rooms with shower access and towel exchange service.

Climbers ascends the east face of the Outdoor Adventures Center's Climbing Center west wall. Photo by Kessler Photography

Classroom Space

There is an exterior patio area to the south of the facility with direct egress from the classroom. This facilitates those teaching a class to move straight into the outdoors for tent set-up, camp stove training or other various outdoor adventures' learning experiences.

Main Entrance

Double sliding glass doors on the west main entrance allow individuals needing bike repairs to easily navigate the entry and simply move into the bike repair and maintenance area.

Courtyard and Equipment Access

On the east side a fenced exterior courtyard and canopy accommodates canoes, kayaks and trip trailers. The fence is secured with an automatic gate and staff have secure access into the OAC storage/workroom of the facility via an overhead garage door.

Staff members helping a customer at the Outdoor Adventures Center customer service desk. Photo by Kessler Photography

Summer Hours

Monday - Friday

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Adjusted hours during holiday breaks and special events.

A completed release form is required for all Outdoor Adventures trips, classes, climbing wall and Challenge Course participants. Those 18 years of age and under must have a parent or legal guardian sign the release form.

Release Forms

Outdoor Adventures Center climbing center — Student on the bouldering section of the west wall while others prepare to climb on the east wall behind him. Photo by Kessler Photography

OAC Climbing Pass Options

Climbing Passes	UNL student/ CREC member	General Public
Try-It Climb ^{(2 climbs in one day)} ^{Available Monday-Friday beginning at 12pm.} ^{Available Saturday-Sunday beginning at 10am.}	-0- ^{1 free each semester}	$5
Daily Pass*	^{included in CREC membership}	$15 ^{includes CREC facilities access}
Monthly Pass* ^{3-month minimum}	^{included in CREC membership}	$40 ^{+ $50 one-time initiation fee}
Annual Pass*	^{included in CREC membership}	$430
Annual Secondary Pass* ^{Spouses, collateral dependents, or dependents (child) age 16-23 years of Primary Passholder are eligible. Primary Passholders must remain current for Secondary Pass holders to retain pass privileges.}	$344	$344
*Must complete a Climbing Basics Class or pass a Skills Check prior to climbing.

Lockers + Showers

	UNL student/ CREC member ^monthly	General Public
Bike Locker ^{(26" x 75" x 44") + 24/7 Locker Room/Shower Access • fits a bicycle + gear}	$10_/monthly	$20_/monthly
Bike Locker ^{(26" x 75" x 44") + 24/7 Locker Room/Shower Access • fits a bicycle + gear}	$80_/annually	$160_/annually
Medium Locker ^{+ 24/7 Locker Room/Shower Access}	$3_/monthly	$8_/monthly
Day-Use Locker	-0-	-0- ^{Must pay daily Guest Fee of $15}

The Outdoor Adventures Center's Bike Shop is equipped with workstations for tune-ups, repairs, and parts replacement. Photo by Kessler Photography
The main entrance of the Outdoor Adventures Center features bike racks adjacent to the bike shop and climbers enjoying the exterior climbing wall during sunny weather. Photo by Kessler Photography
The main entrance of the Outdoor Adventures Center with the bike shop and Climbing Center illuminated at night. Photo by Kessler Photography
A centrally-located member service desk gives customers the convenience of one-stop shopping for classes, climbing, and gear rentals. Photo by Kessler Photography
The lobby with sitting area in the Outdoor Adventures Center. Photo by Kessler Photography
Climbers can boulder 24/7 on the exterior climbing wall; full-scale rope climbing is set up for special events and great weather days. Photo by Kessler Photography
Paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks are available for rent at the Outdoor Adventures Center. Additional storage in the background stores gear to outfit your trips for camping, hiking, biking, and climbing. Photo by Kessler Photography
The Conference Room can be configured into two smaller meeting rooms (shown here with room divider) or one large multi-function space. Photo by Kessler Photography