Holy Boulders Climbing

This digital Holy Boulders climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Holy Boulders days smoother, safer, and more dialed.

This guide was produced by and supports the Illinois Climbers Association. For more information or to support the ICA, visit https://www.ilclimbers.org/

The Holy Boulders is the largest concentration of boulders in Southern Illinois. There are 350+ developed boulder problems from V0 to V13 and has the potential for hundreds more. The sandstone boulders and cliff line are known for their Fontainebleau-like perfect friction and aesthetic lines.

Special thanks to Kevin Sierzega for all his work compiling and contributing photos & topos for this guide.

As of 2024, parki... Show more

This digital Holy Boulders climbing guidebook gives you GPS navigation, verified topos, and beta for hundreds of climbs. Explore classics and hidden gems with offline access to maps, directions, and beta videos. Whether it's your first visit or fiftieth, KAYA makes your Holy Boulders days smoother, safer, and more dialed. This guide was produced by and supports the Illinois Climbers Association. For more information or to support the ICA, visit https://www.ilclimbers.org/ The Holy Boulders is the largest concentration of boulders in Southern Illinois. There are 350+ developed boulder problems from V0 to V13 and has the potential for hundreds more. The sandstone boulders and cliff line are known for their Fontainebleau-like perfect friction and aesthetic lines. Special thanks to Kevin Sierzega for all his work compiling and contributing photos & topos for this guide. As of 2024, parking is limited and can become congested during peak climbing months. The Illinois Climbers Association asks all who visit to be as courteous as possible when looking for a place to park, and to make sure to pull your vehicle as far off the road as possible so as not to constrict traffic. To get to the Holy Boulders, it is recommended to use your GPS to guide you to the parking off of Macedonia Road. At the Holy Boulders, there is limited parking located at the bottom of the hill, with the majority of vehicles parked higher on the hill, just on the edge of the road, close to what has become the climber access trail. However you decide to park, please do so with others in mind. Once parked, you need to use your trained eye to locate the unmarked old forest logging road located on the South side of Macedonia Road. It is distinguishable by it being about the width of a modern car with a well trodden foot path guiding the way. As you begin hiking South on the approach trail (logging road), you will quickly see a tall boulder uphill and on your left. Continue past this unnamed boulder and eventually crest over a hill that will descend directly to the Open Gates Boulder, distinguishable by the short, West facing overhang. From Macedonia Road to the Open Gates Boulder, depending on your hiking pace, the approach should take 5-10 minutes. Please leave no trace and do not improve the trail. Not all local roads are clearly marked in the area and cell service can be spotty, so research driving directions beforehand.