Iowa · Rock climbing · Maquoketa

Upper and Lower Boulders

5 routes
V0 – V3
Bouldering
Apr–Oct
best months

Upper and Lower Boulders is a bouldering area in Joinerville Park in Iowa, on county land. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, including the Quantum Chromodynamics Area, Dip Boulder and Joinerville (bouldering only), all within about a tenth of a mile. The climbing here is all bouldering, with five routes ranging from V0- to V3. The easiest are Elementary Particles at V0- and Boog's Big Dig at V0, and the hardest is Marty's Trash Party at V3. The area is a compact, close-together set of boulders rather than a long route. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Maquoketa show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 75°F, with July the warmest month at about 82°F. Walnut Trail and Brookfield Recreation Trail are both within about 8 miles for a walk after climbing.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Upper and Lower Boulders

    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.

    1. Jan

      27° / 11°

      8 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      31° / 15°

      7 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      70° / 49°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 60°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 63°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 61°

      9 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 52°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 40°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 28°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    12. 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.

Routes (5)

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E: Twin SistersPhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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D: Open BiblePhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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C: Sun ButtressPhoto: Eric Schmuttenmaer from Downers Grove, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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