The Washboard Area
- 14 routes
- 5.7 – 5.12b
- Sport · Trad · Mixed
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- best months
The Washboard Area is a climbing area in Missouri, set within the Harry Truman Recreation Area and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 68°F in April to about 70°F in October, while July highs typically reach about 90°F and winter lows dip into the low 20s. Several climbing areas sit right next to Washboard, including WM: Warsaw, Funhouse Alcove and Far Side, The, all about a tenth of a mile away. Shawnee Bend, a lake fishing spot, is about 0.4 miles off.
- WM: WarsawRock climbing0.1 mi
- Funhouse AlcoveRock climbing0.1 mi
- The Far SideRock climbing0.1 mi
Shawnee BendLake fishing0.4 mi
Bledsoe FerryLake fishing1.5 mi- 1000th Mile TrailHiking1.7 mi
- Western Wallflower TrailHiking2.1 mi
- Bluff Ridge TrailHiking2.7 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
- WM: Eagle View BluffRock climbing · ~11 min drive
- The Fortress (north rock)Rock climbing · ~17 min drive
- The Lighthouse (middle rock)Rock climbing · ~17 min drive
- Goose Island (south rock)Rock climbing · ~17 min drive
- WM: Trapper's CampRock climbing · ~39 min drive
- Stealth WallRock climbing · ~39 min drive
- Crescent WallRock climbing · ~39 min drive
- Missoureality WallRock climbing · ~39 min drive
- Pontoon WallRock climbing · ~39 min drive
- SlabtownRock climbing · ~39 min drive
Best time to visit The Washboard Area
Best months: March–June 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.
Jan
43° / 22°
6 wet
Feb
47° / 25°
6 wet
Mar
57° / 34°
9 wet
Apr
68° / 44°
12 wet
May
76° / 55°
12 wet
Jun
85° / 65°
10 wet
Jul
90° / 69°
8 wet
Aug
89° / 67°
8 wet
Sep
82° / 58°
8 wet
Oct
70° / 46°
9 wet
Nov
57° / 36°
7 wet
Dec
46° / 27°
6 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Truman Dam & Rsvr, MO, 0.7 mi away at 754 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
