Peaks of Otter Campground
Campground
Campground · 1.6 mi from the trail
Virginia · Bouldering · Near Buchanan
Smear Tactics
- V3
- grade
- Bouldering Pads
- style
- Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov
- best months
Is Smear Tactics open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. It doesn't name Smear Tactics, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Prescribed Fire Operations Mount Rogers National Recreation Area- Porter and Little Mountain
Agency closure covering George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Bolar Mountain Recreation Area - Twin Ridge Road Closure
Agency closure covering George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Road Closures James River and Warm Springs Ranger District
Agency alert covering George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail Closure Update
Agency alert covering George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area: Forest Service Road 84 Closed Beginning 9/1/25
Agency alert covering George Washington and Jefferson National Forest · USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
One of the easier problems at Burlstain Boulder, where the grade span runs from V3 to V8. First ascent by T. Melin.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Burger King
Fast food
On your way back · 6 mi
If it rainsTruck writer, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsBedford Museum & Genealogical Library
Museum
Museum · 10 mi from Buchanan
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Truck writer, CC BY-SA 4.0 (commons)
More in Buchanan
Devil's KitchenRock climbing · ~41 min drivePhoto: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- StonesRock climbing · Next door
- Harkening HillRock climbing · Next door
- Chunk BoulderRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Boulder XRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Battle BoulderRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Nucleus BoulderRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Upper DeckRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Veiny BoulderRock climbing · ~1 min drive
- Inner CircleRock climbing · ~2 min drive
Best time to visit Smear Tactics
Best months: March–June and August–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.
Jan
44° / 27°
7 wet · 1 snow
Feb
49° / 29°
7 wet · 1 snow
Mar
57° / 35°
8 wet · 1 snow
Apr
69° / 44°
9 wet
May
77° / 54°
10 wet
Jun
83° / 63°
10 wet
Jul
87° / 67°
9 wet
Aug
85° / 66°
8 wet
Sep
79° / 59°
7 wet
Oct
68° / 47°
7 wet
Nov
57° / 36°
7 wet
Dec
47° / 30°
7 wet · 1 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Buchanan, VA, 5.7 mi away at 880 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
