Circus Boulders

The area is access sensitive!

🔴 This area is water level dependent. It is only climbable in the late fall through early spring. Crow's Nest is climbable year round if you have a boat to carry your pads over there. The Pirate Boulder is climbable pretty quickly, but the Globin Boulder will take more time. You can find the current water level at:
https://www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wm/?basin/kan/sug

Driving Directions:
From Fayetteville: Turn right and drive on US-19 N for 20 miles, crossing over 2 bridges (the NRG bridge and the Meadow River Gorge bridge), then through 2 stoplights, and over one more bridge over the lake. Take your 1st right onto Farmhouse Lane after the 3rd bridge, and another immediate right into the new state park. Drive straight back (do NOT turn right after entering the park) and up over the hill. Has you crest the hill you will see the first of signs to the climbers lot. More permanent signage should be in place later this year. [Last updated January 2025].

Hiking:
From the parking area, follow the trail that starts left of the bathroom. Take an immediate LEFT to follow the climbers trail. After a minute or so of flat, wide path you will reach a Y intersection. The RIGHT fork follows the climbers trail and drops you down to the lake bed for the boulders and route climbing. (See image of Trail Marker on the map taken before the blazes). Follow the steps down to the drainage, hop the drainage, continue down the metal staircase to the DC Memorial Boulder. Once at the edge of the summer water level, continue on the trail with the cliff on youe left and the water to your right. Follow the trail for about 20 minutes, passing the Orange Oswald rope climbing area and going all the way to the Circus Wall before stepping out into the lakebed.
[Last updated April 2025].