Illinois · Rock climbing · Buncombe · Near Goreville

Draper's Bluff

5 routes
5.6 – 5.12a
Bouldering · Sport · Trad
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Draper's Bluff open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Draper's Bluff, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Draper's Bluff is a climbing area in southern Illinois, within the Mississippi Bluffs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest. The land is private, and the bluff itself is the named unit. The Rubik's Cube and The Woodland Ledge climbing areas sit just 0.1 mile away, so the whole cluster makes an easy grouping for a day of climbing. The area has five routes, with styles ranging from bouldering to sport and trad climbing. Grades run from about 5.6 to 5.12a on the YDS scale and from V4- to V7 on the V scale. The Outline, a sport route at 5.12a, is one of the harder options, and Southern Exposure is a trad route at 5.10a. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Anna show October highs around 73°F with lows near 48°F, while July highs reach about 90°F. Lick Creek, a paddling route, is about 0.9 mile away, and Cedar Bluff Trail is about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Lake Of Egypt - Buck Ridge Camping Area is roughly 10 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Turkey Ridge Tent Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.4 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Natural Bridge

    Attraction

    On your way back · 3 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Goreville
  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Draper's Bluff

    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

      45° / 25°

      9 wet

    2. Feb

      50° / 29°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 37°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 56°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      87° / 65°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 69°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 67°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 59°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 48°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      59° / 37°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      48° / 30°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Anna 2 Nne, IL, 10.8 mi away at 640 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

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