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PEAKS OF OTTER Milepost 86 |
Places to Stay
Places to Visit Things to Do
No one knows for certain when the first
visitors came to the Peaks of Otter. For more than 8,000 years people have traveled
through the area searching for both their livelihood and recreation. Native Americans
passed through the area while hunting, and the earliest European settlers began arriving
in the mid-1700's. By 1834 the first inn had opened, and by the turn of the century the
Peaks of Otter had become a popular tourist destination.
Today
the Peaks of Otter is still a major developed area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The motor
road follows the crest of the ridge into the Peaks area, where Highway 43 joins the
Parkway from Bedford. In the valley formed by Sharp Top, Flat Top and Harkening Hill, the
area has a lodge and restaurant, visitor center, campground, picnic area and historic
farm. The mountains all have trails ranging from less than a mile to more than four miles,
and there is nearby access to the 2,144 mile Appalachian Trail. In addition, the area is
almost totally surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest, which only adds to its appeal
as a destination for Parkway visitors.
- Peaks of Otter Lodge - A sixty-three room lodge and restaurant, the Peaks of Otter Lodge continues a long tradition of providing rooms and meals for travelers. The lodge is open year round, with reservations required during holidays and the fall color season. For additional information and/or reservations please call (540) 586-1081.
- Campground - The Parkway operates a 144-site campground at the foot of Sharp Top mountain, with sites for 92 tents and 52 trailers or RV's. Facilities include water, comfort stations with flush toilets and cold running water sinks, but no showers or hook-ups. Camping is only permitted in established campgrounds.
- Nearby motels/B&B's - There are several motels and B&B's within a half-hour drive of the Peaks of Otter, including lodging in Bedford and along Interstate 81.
- Visitor Center - The visitor center is an excellent first stop to get information about the area and scheduled programs. It's also a good spot for anyone who needs to find a ranger. It's located at milepost 86, where Highway 43 arrives from Bedford.
- Picnic Area - Picnic tables, charcoal grills and comfort stations are scattered along Little Stoney Creek, just below the campground. All are within easy walking distance of the lodge, Polly Wood's Ordinary and the visitor center. There are also some picnic tables without grills in nearby overlooks along the motor road.
- Service Station - This is the only service station on the Parkway in Virginia and includes a small gift shop.
- Campstore - At the start of the Sharp Top trail, near the campground, the concession-operated campstore provides snacks and camping supplies. There is also a concession-run bus that makes trips up Sharp Top to within 1,500 feet of the summit from late spring to early fall.
- Johnson Farm & Polly Wood's Ordinary - The Johnson Farm and Polly Wood's Ordinary represent two historic periods at the Peaks. Polly Wood's cabin served as the first lodging for travellers through the area starting in the early 1830's. The Johnson Farm sheltered three generations of the Johnson family, and today it is a living history farm where you can play games, help work the garden, or just sit on the porch and relax in a rocking chair.
- Interpretive Programs - In the summer season there are regularly scheduled programs in the amphitheater, guided night walks, demonstrations and special events. In addition, the Johnson Farm is staffed with a costumed ranger.
- Trails - There are six trails within the Peaks of Otter area, with three National Scenic Trails less than eight miles away. These trails range from easy walks around Abbott Lake to strenuous hikes to the summits of Sharp Top and Flat Top mountains. In addition, the Appalachian Trail passes near the Peaks of Otter, with access from the Parkway five miles north and south of the area.
- Fishing - Abbott Lake is open to fishing for anyone with a valid North Carolina or Virginia fishing license. Please note the special regulations posted lakeside.
