Arrow Boulder Area

Arrow Boulder Area is a bouldering area in Virginia, set within the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of climbing spots, with Middle Dragon, Mayflower Boulder and Right Corridor all about 0.1 mile away, and McAfee's Knob Trail just as close. The area is a compact, close-together collection of boulders rather than a single route, and it works well as a short stop for climbers heading along the trail. The climbing here is all bouldering, with four routes spread across the area. The grades run from V1 to V5, so there is something for climbers of different abilities. Slip and Slide is the easiest at V1, and Stretch is the hardest at V5. The first ascents of some of these routes are listed, including Mcafee Grit by Jay Shultis in 2002 and Stretch by Matthew Gant. For timing, late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Roanoke show May highs around 76°F and September highs around 79°F, while July and August climb into the mid-80s. That station sits about 800 feet lower than the boulders, so temperatures on the rocks run cooler. The Corridor & Beyond climbing area and the Catawba Greenway Trail are also within a short distance. For an overnight stay, Straight Branch Iron Mountain Shelter is about 5 miles away.