Virginia · Rock climbing · Etlan

Reflector Oven

Reflector OvenPhoto: April Pink, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
20 routes
5.6 – 5.12a/b
Trad · Mixed
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Reflector Oven open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shenandoah National Park. It doesn't name Reflector Oven, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Active Closure

    Park closure covering Shenandoah National Park · NPS · Shenandoah National Park

  • Prescribed Fire in Big Meadows

    Park alert covering Shenandoah National Park · NPS · Shenandoah National Park

  • Parking at Boundary Access Areas

    Park alert covering Shenandoah National Park · NPS · Shenandoah National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Shenandoah National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Reflector Oven is a climbing area in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, within the Shenandoah Wilderness. The National Park Service manages the land, and the area sits right alongside several other climbing spots, including Old Rag, Eagle's Gift and Lower God's Area, all about 0.1 mile away. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Big Meadows run from highs of about 70°F in June to 75°F in July, with July lows near 59°F. That station sits about 734 feet lower than the climbing area, so temperatures up high run cooler. The routes here are mostly traditional, with 17 of 20 routes falling in the trad category and three in mixed. Grades range from 5.6 to 5.12a/b. Among the named routes are The Vegetated Crack at 5.6 and Unlikely Promise at 5.10c. Strawberry Tart at 5.11a and Nothing Is Real at 5.11d offer harder options. The Saddle Trail is about 0.3 mile away, and the Ridge Trail is about 1.2 miles off. Paddlers can find the Hazel River about 5 miles away, and Big Meadows Campground is about 7 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Reflector Oven

    Best months: April–October. 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

      36° / 19°

    2. Feb

      38° / 22°

    3. Mar

      44° / 27°

    4. Apr

      57° / 37°

    5. May

      64° / 46°

    6. Jun

      70° / 54°

    7. Jul

      75° / 59°

    8. Aug

      73° / 58°

    9. Sep

      69° / 52°

    10. Oct

      58° / 42°

    11. Nov

      48° / 32°

    12. Dec

      39° / 24°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Big Meadows, VA, 7.1 mi away at 3,540 ft. The station sits about 700 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (20)

Physics and PoliticsFA: Steve Curtis, 20075.10bReport to SickbayFA: Greg Collins, George Flam, John McKigney 19815.10cUnlikely PromiseFA: Steve Curtis, 20075.10cRepublicans and PoliticsFA: Steve Curtis, 20095.10dTourniquetFA: Jonathan P Melville5.10dThe Parker RouteFA: Kenny Parker, Kevin Parker, 19875.11+Strawberry TartFA: Sandy Fleming, Darell Hensley, 19895.11aB and H RouteFA: Eddie Begoon, Howard Clark5.11cWhen Natural Law FailsFA: Steve Curtis, 20075.11cNothing Is RealFA: Chris Thomas5.11dRadiationFA: Will Alford, 20215.11dThe CrackinFA: Alex Karr, Mike Kehoe, 19865.11dMystery MoveFA: Darell Hensley, Sandy Fleming5.12aDon't Pro the Flake BroFA: Steve Curtis, 20085.12a/bThe Vegetated Crack5.6LokiFA: Michael Doyle5.7Upper Terrace Chimney5.7Chasm Crack5.8Sunday Crack Fix5.8Strawberry FieldsFA: FFA Dieter Klose, Savvy Sanders, 19755.9+

Facts about this crag

Rules & access

Fee
Yes

Source: National Park Service API

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Old RagPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Old Rag

Next door

Old Rag in Virginia has 26 climbing routes across 16 grades, offering bouldering, sport, and trad.

Middle Sunset WallPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Sunset Wall

Next door

Middle Sunset Wall in Virginia has 11 climbing routes with sport and trad options.

Middle God's Area - RightPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle God's Area - Right

Next door

Middle God's Area - Right in Virginia has 6 traditional climbing routes.

Lower God's AreaPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower God's Area

Next door

Lower God's Area is a Virginia climbing crag with 8 routes.

Briar LedgePhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Briar Ledge

Next door

Briar Ledge in Virginia has 5 climbing routes with mixed and traditional styles.

Eagle's GiftPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Eagle's Gift

Next door

Eagle's Gift in Virginia has 6 mixed routes ranging from 5.6 to 5.11a.

Lower Sunset WallPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lower Sunset Wall

Next door

Lower Sunset Wall in Virginia has 9 climbing routes ranging from easy to difficult, offering sport and traditional styles.

Sunset WallsPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sunset Walls

Next door

Sunset Walls in Virginia has 4 climbing routes spanning 4 difficulty grades.

Wall That Dreams Are Made OfPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Wall That Dreams Are Made Of

Next door

7 routes in Virginia, 7 difficulty grades, top-rope and trad climbing.

Skyline Wall (PATC Wall)Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Skyline Wall (PATC Wall)

Next door

18-route climbing area in Virginia with sport and trad options.