Climbing Locations

Mountain Project Map

Private Parks

Robinson Bluff

Located in Cadet, Robinson’s features dolomite limestone bluffs that run along Big River (1.5 hrs south of STL). Robinson has over 200 routes and a few bouldering problems.


We’ve performed multiple trail days here with the support of the private owner, and have established a set of stairs near Goblin’s Grotto. We continue to improve the trails with each trail day thanks to the help of our volunteers! If you’re interested in volunteering, stay tuned to our events for the next trail day.  

Additional Resources:

Sage Mountain

Located in New Haven, Sage features sandstone bouldering and short sport climbing routes (1.5 hrs west of STL).

*includes camping


This is the first location that we helped open up for rock climbing! Nick Richards and a few other volunteers have worked hard developing nearly 40 problems with the support of the private owner, Art. On March 19, 2022, we began adding trails to help climbers move around the area. We now also have carved out paths with piles of gravel and bags located nearby so anyone can help put gravel down as they walk to the crag. Additionally, we plan to host community events to help acclimate new climbers to the area. Pro Tip: Save the Map Image for a quick guide! 

Update: 12.12.2022 - 25 routes have been added thanks to Marcus Floyd and Sage Mountain. We would not have been able to achieve this new route access without both of their time and contributions. EMCA has provided support by providing financial support by paying for half the cost of the installed equipment either by out-of-pocket or crowdsourcing.

Additional Resources:

Mark Twain National Forest Recreational Area

Silver Mines


Located in Fredericktown, Silver mines features granite lightly finer than Elephant Rocks. This place stays cool due to the running river that splits the area into two sections. (1.75 hr south of STL)

We had our first community day March 5, 2022 and have made connections with the recreational manager. From here, we plan on providing additional community days and volunteer days which will support access for bouldering and possibly other forms of climbing and locations in MTNF in the future. The best way for that to happen is by continuing to develop a good relationship with the recreational manager and for individual climbers to help us educate others on best practices and climbing responsibly. 

Additional Resources:

Elephant Rocks 


Located in Ironton, Elephant Rocks features large grained granite bouldering. (1.5 hrs southwest of STL) Most of this area feature concrete paths but plenty of tourists so please remain mindful of the shared space.


This park is well established with very few project lines left, but we still plan scheduled trash pickup days and community days. 

Additional Resources:

Guide books

Johnson's Shut-ins


Located in Middle Brook, Johnson's Shut-ins features Igneous routes and boulder problems. (1.75 southwest of STL). This Park is Seasonal.

Johnson shut-ins climbing is only allowed the day after Labor day(day after the first September Monday) to the Wednesday before memorial day( Wednesday before the last Monday in May).

Additional Resources:



St. Francois


Located in Bonne Terre, this park features short limestone sport climbing, trad climbing, and boulders. (~1 hr south of STL) This area tends to provide a cooler climate with the many rivers around the park. Please fill out a waver here.

So far we’ve helped make some small changes. We were told very few seemed to climb at St. Francois and the way they track “active use” is through waivers. Some may not know, but the waivers were kept at the ranger station on top of the hill and at times the station door can be locked. 

After we provided education to the park rangers, they moved the waivers to a new kiosk near the main crag. Since this change, we’ve been told this has shown an increase in the amount of waivers filled out! This is important to us as a climbing community and to the state park as active use is utilized to determine the current value of climbing to the population. 

In the process of all of this, we have been given permission to replace some of the current anchors with mussy hooks. These hooks have have been acquired with the help of the American Safe Climbing Association (ASCA) and the crowdsourced donations EMCA collected ($300!!).

Additional Resources:

Conservations Area (Proceed With Caution)

Rockwoods Reservation


Located in Wildwood, Rockwoods Reservation can be found in an abandoned Limestone quarry. (40 mins west of STL)

This area is located on Missouri Conservation land and is in a very delicate state with constant traffic nearby. Acquiring access to this area has been a difficult road and due to the area’s location it has quickly become a popular climbing spot. Parking is very limited here so please be courteous and help us maintain our access by climbing responsibly. 

Additional Resources:

Gym Climbing

In this section, we want to briefly mention indoor locations. Despite this group being outdoor focused, it feels wrong not to mention the indoor climbing gyms available in Eastern Missouri. 

We plan on setting up a "visiting hour" for each gym (if permitted) where we take off our climbing shoes and sit with whoever wants to talk. We aren't some distant group who operates in the shadows. We are in the "Show Me" State and hope all of this proves the value of our organization. We are here for MO.

We would also like to share any local businesses for climbers. If you have a local business in East Missouri and you provide rock climbing equipment we would love to mention you to help support your business free of charge.

Indoor Gym's websites and locations in East Missouri:


Updated 12.12.2022