Virginia · Rock climbing · Richmond

James River Park System

18 routes
V0 – V11
Bouldering
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

James River Park System is a city-managed climbing area in Manchester Park, Virginia, on city land. It is a bouldering destination, with 18 routes spread across several named boulders and areas within a short distance of one another. The climbing here is all bouldering, and the grades range from V0 to V11. The easiest route is Tail of the Whale at V0, and the hardest is Sweet Nothings at V11, first climbed by Andrew Palmer in 2004. Other routes include Whale Crack at V2-3 and Jurassic park arête at V4+. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Richmond show October highs around 71°F and May highs around 78°F, while July averages about 90°F. The closest climbing areas are The Whale Boulder and The Hidden Temple, each about 0.1 mile away, and The Biker Area is about 0.2 mile off. For a change of pace, the Buttermilk Heights Trail is about 0.4 mile away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit James River Park System

    Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      48° / 29°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      52° / 30°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 37°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      70° / 46°

      11 wet

    5. May

      78° / 56°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      86° / 65°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 69°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 68°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 61°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 49°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 39°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      51° / 32°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Richmond Intl Ap, VA, 8.8 mi away at 164 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (18)