Virginia · Rock climbing · McLean · Near Linton Hall

Sandbox

SandboxPhoto: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
13 routes
5.0 – 5.11
Trad · Top Rope · Bouldering
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Sandbox open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in George Washington Memorial Parkway. It doesn't name Sandbox, 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.

Sandbox is a climbing area on the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia, managed by the National Park Service. It sits among a cluster of other climbing spots, including Cigar Box, Rocky Island and Flat Iron, all within about a tenth of a mile. The area also borders the River Trail, so it pairs easily with a walk. The climbing here runs from easy to challenging. Thirteen routes are listed, with seven trad routes and five top-ropes, and the grades range from 5.0 to 5.11 on the YDS scale. Lazy Sunday is a top-rope at 5.0, and Sand Box Crack - Variation is a trad route at 5.11. A single boulder problem is also on the list. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 68°F, while July averages climb to 88°F. The closest neighbors are Cigar Box, Rocky Island and Flat Iron, all about 0.1 mile away. For a change of pace, the Matildaville Trail is about 0.2 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 Sandbox

    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, 8.3 mi away at 150 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (13)

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.

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

Rocky Island

Next door

Rocky Island in Virginia has 5 traditional climbing routes across 4 difficulty grades.

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

Flat Iron

Next door

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

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.

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

Dihedrals

Next door

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

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.

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

The Rocky Islands

Next door

Virginia waterside climbing area with varied routes and scenic appeal.

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

The Dike Creek Area

Next door

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

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

Juliet's Balcony: Upstream

Next door

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.