Sandstone Adventure Guides

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Sandstone Adventure Guides: Reaching New Heights in Southern Illinois 

Andrew Taylor, owner of Sandstone Adventure Guides, leans against a rock face while wearing climbing gear.

Sandstone Adventure Guides provides guided rock climbing experiences throughout Southern Illinois, offering everything from introductory climbs to advanced technical instruction. Operating across state parks and the Shawnee National Forest, the business introduces participants to the region’s unique climbing opportunities while prioritizing safety, education, and accessibility. 

Owner Andrew Taylor’s background in climbing and recreation shaped the vision for Sandstone Adventure Guides. After discovering climbing in 2009 and later overseeing youth programs at a local gym, he began exploring ways to turn his experience into a career. Now pursuing a master’s degree in Recreation at Southern Illinois University, Andrew identified a gap in the region’s outdoor recreation market. Despite abundant and accessible climbing areas, Southern Illinois lacks commercial guiding services, creating an opportunity to introduce more beginners to the sport and grow local participation. 

As Andrew worked to move the business from concept to launch, start-up funding emerged as his biggest challenge. Equipment, insurance, certifications, and a professional web presence were all necessary to operate safely and responsibly. He learned about the Southern Illinois Business Plan Competition powered by Regions Bank and registered for both the competition and advising through the Illinois SBDC at SIU.  

Through one-on-one meetings with SBDC business advisors Aimee Wigfall and Michael Jessup, he strengthened his business plan and refined his financial projections. Reflecting on the experience, Taylor said, “The SBDC helped me slim down my plan, to focus on what needed to be focused on and remove the bloat. Their help allowed me to place second in their local business plan competition and position Sandstone Adventure Guides for a spring 2026 soft launch.” 

Looking ahead, Taylor plans to continue growing his client base while working to expand climbing opportunities in the region. His long-term vision includes opening a rock climbing gym to further establish climbing as a family-friendly activity in Southern Illinois. By introducing families and beginners to climbing, Sandstone Adventure Guides aims to strengthen outdoor recreation and adventure tourism in Southern Illinois.