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Elephant Rocks State Park
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Front Range, The 
Gill Boulder 
Herd and The Den, The 
Mid Picnic Area (The Cove) 
North Mountain 
Picnic area 
Porch, The 
Upper Picnic 


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Elephant Rocks State Park 


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Administrator: Tom Erickson
Submitted By: Damon Vaughan on Dec 29, 2008

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Nice tall crack in the Front Range area.

Description 

Elephant Rocks is a pretty good bouldering area in Southeast Missouri, about an hour and a half from St. Louis. The rock is a large grained granite, which can be quite sharp and abrasive. Very good for friction though.

The park can be really crowded with family tourists, but I have yet to see any other climbers there. Because of the crowds, climbing is only recommended on weekdays. Also, roped climbing is prohibited within the park.


Getting There 

From St. Louis, take 21 (Tesson Ferry) south, and follow it for about an hour and a half. There are a few turns, so make sure you follow the signs that say Hwy 21. After the town of Bellevue, the park i well signed and on the left.


The Classics

Mountain Project's determination of some of the classic, most popular, highest rated routes for Elephant Rocks State Park:
The Tennishoe Crack   V0     Boulder   Picnic area
The Scary One   V2     Boulder   Picnic area
Sterno   V4     Boulder, 7 feet   Picnic area
Gridlock   V6     Boulder   Picnic area
Turtle traverse   V6     Boulder, 10 feet   The Front Range
The Shadow   V7     Boulder   Picnic area
Backdraft   V8     Boulder   Picnic area
Tablecloth   V8     Boulder   Picnic area
Picnic   V9     Boulder   Picnic area
Browse More Classics in Elephant Rocks State Park

Featured Route For Elephant Rocks State Park
Hole in One. <br /> <br />Great little finger pockets to work till top out.

Hole in One V2  MO : Elephant Rocks State Park : Mid Picnic Area (The Cove)
Small crack that works up the middle of the boulder.Hard feet placement. ...[more]   Browse More Classics in MO


Photos of Elephant Rocks State Park Slideshow Add Photo
Umbro on top of the dome.

Umbro on top of the dome.

Climbing in the maze of boulders on the backside.

Climbing in the maze of boulders on the backside.

Tablecloth, a Missouri classic.

Tablecloth, a Missouri classic.

Smoke. Devious starting sequence to a great topout.

Smoke. Devious starting sequence to a great topout...

Shadow. The opposite arete from Tablecloth. Great climb, but no one ever seems to try it.

Shadow. The opposite arete from Tablecloth. Great ...

Sterno. My all time favorite problem that tops out at eye level.

Sterno. My all time favorite problem that tops out...

overview of the park. all credits to Matt Bliss and Alex Gerrits

BETA PHOTO: overview of the park. all credits to Matt Bliss an...

The rock here can be a little sharp!

The rock here can be a little sharp!

Josh grabbing some nubbins on the top out

Josh grabbing some nubbins on the top out


Comments on Elephant Rocks State Park Add Comment
Show which comments —
By Joe Kreidel
From: Tucson, AZ
Feb 19, 2009

This is a great bouldering area and I was always surprised it didn't get more use from St. Louis/Missouri climbers.

I also think there is a faster way to get there. It is a little less direct but faster because I always found it tough to pass slow trucks on Hwy 21. From STL take I-55 S -> 67 South -> Hwy 32 West -> 21 South right to the park.

By Joe Huggins
From: 666 Rue le Jour-Edge City
Jul 28, 2009

Although it has been a few decades since Elephant Rocks was my main area, I have to agree with Joes' assertion as to the fastest route. It's nice to reminisce about the 70's when we would drive down from St.Louis before dawn, drop some 'cid and boulder at dawn...Good Times!

By Chris Prewitt
Oct 29, 2009

Looking back, I realize that climbers all over the country travel 1.5hrs to get to where they want to climb, TIA or STL. Only now I have to hike for at least 30 minutes. At E-rocks you trip over the curb and hit your head on a boulder problem.

By Eero46
Aug 15, 2011

Why isn't this place more well known?!

This place has the most potential out of anywhere in the Midwest. The biggest boulders are comparable to J tree.

By ryanh0504
Oct 9, 2011

If there were more than 21 problems listed I would consider going here.

By James Wieman
From: Little Rock, AR
Apr 4, 2012

Elephant rocks is the awesome and has hundreds of problems with potential for many more. A great guidebook for it is Sandstone Warrior, mainly covering bouldering in So. Illinois but includes many problems in Elephant Rocks