Project boulder
- 5 routes
- V1 – V6+
- Bouldering
- Apr–Oct
- best months
Project Boulder is a bouldering area in Joinerville Park in Iowa, on county land. It sits among a cluster of other bouldering spots, including Alcove Boulder, Freshman Boulder and Joinerville (bouldering only), all within about a tenth of a mile. The climbing here is all bouldering, with five routes ranging from V1 to V6+. Halfhearted and Skidloader are the easiest, both at V1, and Benny Pump and The Oardeal of the Boats are the hardest, at V6 and V6+. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Maquoketa show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, while winter brings highs in the 20s and regular snow days. For a change from bouldering, Walnut Trail is about 6 miles away and Brookfield Recreation Trail is about 7.6 miles away.
Best time to go · Apr–Oct
Best time to visit Project boulder
Best months: April–October. 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.
Jan
27° / 11°
8 wet · 6 snow
Feb
31° / 15°
7 wet · 5 snow
Mar
45° / 26°
9 wet · 3 snow
Apr
59° / 37°
11 wet · 1 snow
May
70° / 49°
12 wet
Jun
79° / 60°
11 wet
Jul
82° / 63°
10 wet
Aug
81° / 61°
9 wet
Sep
75° / 52°
8 wet
Oct
62° / 40°
9 wet
Nov
46° / 28°
8 wet · 2 snow
Dec
32° / 18°
8 wet · 5 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Maquoketa, IA, 4.5 mi away at 668 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
E: Twin Sisters
~53 min drive
E: Twin Sisters in Illinois has 17 climbing routes across 7 grades, featuring top-rope and trad options.
D: Open Bible
~53 min drive
D: Open Bible in Illinois has 9 traditional climbing routes across 6 grades.
C: Sun Buttress
~53 min drive
C: Sun Buttress in Illinois has 12 traditional climbing routes across 7 grades.
CLIMB
Upper and Lower Boulders
Next door
Upper and Lower Boulders is a bouldering area in Iowa with 5 routes.
CLIMB
Quantum Chromodynamics Area
Next door
Quantum Chromodynamics Area in Iowa has 6 bouldering routes spanning 6 difficulty grades.
CLIMB
Horseshoe Bend
~10 min drive
Horseshoe Bend in Iowa has 5 bouldering routes across 3 grades.
CLIMB
187 Crag
~17 min drive
187 Crag in Iowa has 13 climbing routes across 11 grades, featuring bouldering and sport styles.
CLIMB
Hoot Bluff
~17 min drive
Hoot Bluff in Iowa has 18 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering sport and trad options.
CLIMB
Boneless Chicken Ranch
~33 min drive
Boneless Chicken Ranch in Iowa has 9 sport climbing routes.
CLIMB
Boulevard Wall
~33 min drive
Boulevard Wall in Iowa has 8 sport climbing routes on 7 difficulty grades.