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Iowa Climbing
Areas in Iowa
Backbone State Park
14 /
0 /
22 /
9 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
31
Bloody Run
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0
Cedar Bluffs
0 /
0 /
1 /
15 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
15
Cedar Valley Boulder
0 /
0 /
8 /
8 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
8
Centennial Park
0 /
0 /
0 /
21 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
21
Chimney Rocks
1 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
1
Coralville Lake Bouldering
0 /
0 /
2 /
35 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
35
Crapo Park
0 /
0 /
0 /
3 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
3
Decorah
0 /
1 /
1 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
1
Dows
0 /
0 /
0 /
14 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
14
Dubuque
1 /
0 /
3 /
1 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
4
Hitaga Sand Prairie - Big Rock
0 /
0 /
0 /
7 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
7
Indian Bluffs
0 /
26 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
26
Iowa City Buildering
0 /
0 /
0 /
8 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
8 /
8
Joinerville Bouldering
0 /
0 /
0 /
67 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
67
Lake Delhi
0 /
0 /
0 /
1 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
1
Lake Red Rock
0 /
0 /
0 /
5 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
5
Mossy Glen
1 /
0 /
1 /
14 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
15
Old State Quarry
0 /
0 /
0 /
6 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
6
Ozark Wildlife Area
1 /
35 /
0 /
35 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
71
Palisades Kepler State Park
11 /
0 /
21 /
26 /
0 /
2 /
0 /
0 /
50
Pictured Rocks
7 /
65 /
8 /
36 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
109
Prairie Creek
0 /
0 /
0 /
5 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
5
Silo Ice Climbing
0 /
0 /
1 /
0 /
1 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
1
Waldo's Rock Park
0 /
0 /
0 /
10 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
10
Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center
0 /
0 /
0 /
17 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
0 /
17
| Elevation: | 858 ft |
| GPS: |
41.935, -93.5376 Google Map · Climbing Area Map |
| Page Views: | 621,196 total · 3,368/month |
| Shared By: | Jon Lauters on Jan 19, 2008 |
| Admins: | Raud |
Description
The majority of outdoor areas with quality rock are located on the eastern side of the state. Iowans and folks from out of state gather in great numbers at places like Pictured Rocks county park, and Indian Bluffs state wildlife management area, both near Monticello, Iowa.
Backbone State park, near Strawberry Point, has a variety of climbs that are more spread out. Hoot Bluff, between Monticello and Maquoketa, Iowa, is a notable winter destination because the south-facing climbs are often warm enough for winter free climbing. In summer, Hoot as well as other spots become very hot, humid and difficult to get to when the vegetation expands and obscures trails and views.
Backbone State park, near Strawberry Point, has a variety of climbs that are more spread out. Hoot Bluff, between Monticello and Maquoketa, Iowa, is a notable winter destination because the south-facing climbs are often warm enough for winter free climbing. In summer, Hoot as well as other spots become very hot, humid and difficult to get to when the vegetation expands and obscures trails and views.
Getting There
Head towards the eastern side of the state via I80 or other appropriate highway or gravel road. Most of the climbing is within 40 to 50 miles of Monticello, Iowa, which is located on Route 151. Many of the state roads are in excellent shape, but the path you take in Iowa will have many 90-degree turns. The 151 is a more direct / diagonal route in many cases.
Whatever path you take, you will no-doubt see lots of flat landscape, then rolling hills. Keep the faith, and ask directions if you need to. Folks will help, and you will be rewarded with an opportunity to spend some time on quality limestone and see the hidden gems of Iowa.
Whatever path you take, you will no-doubt see lots of flat landscape, then rolling hills. Keep the faith, and ask directions if you need to. Folks will help, and you will be rewarded with an opportunity to spend some time on quality limestone and see the hidden gems of Iowa.
Classic Climbing Routes at Iowa
Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
| Route Name | Location | Star Rating | Difficulty | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● Tarzan | Pictured Rocks > Shiprock |
|
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport | |
| ● Whipper Snapper | Pictured Rocks > Mild Iowa Wall |
|
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport | |
| ● Mild Iowa | Pictured Rocks > Mild Iowa Wall |
|
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport | |
| ● Jugular | Pictured Rocks > Mild Iowa Wall |
|
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport | |
| ● Schoolio | Pictured Rocks > Comic Gallery |
|
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport | |
| ● Over The Counter | Pictured Rocks > Shiprock |
|
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13 Sport | |
| ● Virgin Lemonade | Pictured Rocks > Wild Iowa Wall |
|
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport | |
| ● Three Strikes No Balls | Pictured Rocks > Comic Gallery |
|
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport, TR | |
| ● Hope for a Boner | Pictured Rocks > A Wall |
|
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport | |
| ● Silk Road | Pictured Rocks > Shiprock |
|
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport | |
| ● Tazmanian Devil | Pictured Rocks > Comic Gallery |
|
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport | |
| ● Liberal Tendencies | Ozark Wildlife… > Hoot Bluff |
|
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport | |
| ● Bird in Hand | Pictured Rocks > Wild Iowa Wall |
|
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport | |
| ● Flash | Pictured Rocks > Comic Gallery |
|
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport | |
| ● Gravity Amp | Ozark Wildlife… > Hoot Bluff |
|
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport |
Weather Averages
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Photos
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