Wisconsin · Rock climbing · Mason

Boulder 81

17 routes
V0 – V5
Bouldering
Jul–Aug
best months

Is Boulder 81 open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It doesn't name Boulder 81, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Boulder 81 is a bouldering area in the Great Divide Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin, managed by the Forest Service. The climbing sits close to Area 81 and Will's Slab, both about 0.1 mile away, so the three make a compact cluster for a day of rock. The area holds 17 bouldering routes, all rated between V0 and V5 on the V scale. The easiest are The Sendzone (V0-) and Vegan Fudge (V0), while Boulder 81 Direct reaches V5. The routes were first ascended by climbers such as Will O. and Chris Langsted, and the style is purely bouldering, so there are no bolts to aid the climb. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Clam Lake put July highs around 76°F with lows near 56°F, while January highs average only about 20°F. Winter is long and cold here, with January lows near 1°F. The closest outing is the North Country National 202-383 trail, about 0.7 mile away, and the Marengo River offers canoeing about 2.5 miles off. For an overnight stay, Namekagon Campground is about 4.8 miles away, and Porcupine Lake Wilderness, roughly 6.5 miles away, offers lake fishing.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Aug

    Best time to visit Boulder 81

    Best months: July–August. 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

      20° / 1°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      25° / 1°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      36° / 13°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 27°

      12 wet

    5. May

      63° / 40°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 51°

      14 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 56°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      75° / 54°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      67° / 46°

      13 wet

    10. Oct

      52° / 34°

      14 wet

    11. Nov

      37° / 22°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      25° / 8°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Clam Lake 4w, WI, 10.2 mi away at 1,498 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (17)