Virginia · Rock climbing · Potomac · Near Linton Hall

Rocky Island

Rocky IslandPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5 routes
5.6 – 5.10+
Trad
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Rocky Island open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington Memorial Parkway. It doesn't name Rocky Island, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

  • Memorial Bridge Closed Monday, November 2, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Northbound GWMP Lane Closures Between Spout Run and Route 123

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Single Lane Closures on South Parkway Near River Farm Drive

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

  • Temporary Closure of the Clara Barton Parkway 3500 ft of right travel lane

    Park closure covering George Washington Memorial Parkway · NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway

As of · Source: NPS · George Washington Memorial Parkway. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Rocky Island is a climbing area on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the parkway's land, and there is no fee to visit. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 68°F, while July averages about 88°F. Several climbing areas lie right next to it, including Cigar Box, Sandbox and Dihedrals, each about 0.1 mile away. The River Trail is also about 0.1 mile off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Marsden Tract Group Campsite

    Campground

    Sites open the weekend of Nov 13 on Recreation.gov
  • Eat after

    Great Falls Snack Bar

    Fast food

    On your way back · 1 mi
  • If it rainsJoe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Colvin Run Mill

    Museum

    On your way back · 3 mi

    Operational 19th-century water-powered mill in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Joe Ravi, CC BY-SA 3.0 (commons)

More in Linton Hall
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Rocky Island

    Best months: March–June 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

      43° / 25°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 27°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 44°

      11 wet

    5. May

      76° / 54°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 63°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 59°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 47°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 36°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 30°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dalecarlia Rsvr, MD, 8.2 mi away at 150 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (5)

Rocky Island - West Face(1)

Cinch Crack EastFA: Early 1980s5.10+

Facts about this crag

Rules & access

Fee
No fee

Source: National Park Service API

Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive

Cigar BoxPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cigar Box

Next door

Cigar Box in Virginia has 10 climbing routes across 7 grades, featuring top-rope and trad styles.

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

Sandbox

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Sandbox in Virginia has 13 climbing routes with 10 difficulty grades.

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

Dihedrals

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Dihedrals in Virginia has 23 climbing routes with 17 difficulty grades, offering top-rope and trad options.

The Dike Creek AreaPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Dike Creek Area

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Dike Creek Area, The in Virginia has 10 routes with 7 difficulty grades.

The Rocky IslandsPhoto: olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

The Rocky Islands

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Virginia waterside climbing area with varied routes and scenic appeal.

Rocky Island - North EndPhoto: Bohemian Baltimore, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rocky Island - North End

Next door

Rocky Island - North End in Virginia has 6 trad routes across 5 difficulty grades.

Flat IronPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Flat Iron

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Flat Iron in Virginia has 9 climbing routes with 7 difficulty grades.

Juliet's Balcony: UpstreamPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Juliet's Balcony: Upstream

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6-route climbing area in Virginia with top-rope and trad options.

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

Lower Balcony

Next door

Lower Balcony in Virginia has 5 climbing routes ranging from 5 difficulty grades.

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

Microdome

Next door

Microdome is a 7-route climbing crag in Virginia with 7 difficulty grades.