Arkansas · Rock climbing · Ozark

Area 51

Area 51 in Arkansas has 3 climbing routes across 3 grades, offering sport and trad options.

3 routes
5.7 – 5.10d
Sport · Trad

Is Area 51 open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. It doesn't name Area 51, so check the source for the area it covers (9 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Best time to visit Area 51

Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

  1. Jan

    48° / 28°

    7 wet

  2. Feb

    54° / 32°

    7 wet

  3. Mar

    62° / 39°

    9 wet

  4. Apr

    71° / 48°

    9 wet

  5. May

    79° / 57°

    10 wet

  6. Jun

    87° / 66°

    9 wet

  7. Jul

    92° / 70°

    8 wet

  8. Aug

    91° / 69°

    7 wet

  9. Sep

    84° / 62°

    6 wet

  10. Oct

    73° / 50°

    8 wet

  11. Nov

    61° / 39°

    8 wet

  12. Dec

    51° / 32°

    7 wet

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ozark 2, AR, 8.9 mi away at 830 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Area 51 is a climbing area in the Boston Mountain Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest in Arkansas, managed by the Forest Service. It sits within a cluster of climbing spots, with three other climbing areas — Space Wall, Rhyme or Reason Wall and Area 51 Bouldering — all about 0.1 mile away. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable conditions. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Ozark 2, about 9 miles away, show October highs around 73°F with lows near 50°F, and April highs around 71°F. That station sits about 410 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures here run a little cooler. For time off the rock, Shores Lake Campground and White Rock Campground both lie about 4.5 to 5.4 miles away. White Rock-Shores Lake West offers a hike, and paddlers can head to White Oak Creek, roughly 7.3 miles off.

Routes (3)

Jonah Hex Wall(1)

Jonah Hex5.7

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