Peaks Of Otter Campground

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Peaks of Otter Campground is nestled between the bases of two dominating mountains in the rolling hills of Virginia. Campers enjoy a rare serenity in this rustic setting. Relax, and leave your cares behind!

Campsites are shaded under an umbrella of thick trees, and provide campers with picnic tables, lantern poles, and campfire rings/grills. The campground also offers modern conveniences like flush toilets, drinking water and a dump station.

Peaks of Otter Campground almost always has campsites available. In addition to the 60 sites available for advance reservation, there are 79 first-come, first-served campsites available. Availability of first come, first served sites cannot be tracked through Recreation.gov. These sites must be booked in person at the campground kiosk.

Need to Know

Firewood Regulation: Only heat-treated firewood bundled in its original packing and bearing a certification seal from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) or a state department of agriculture may be brought onto the Parkway. Campers may still collect dead and down wood in the immediate vicinity of campgrounds and picnic areas. This rule is strictly enforced!
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Some campsites at this facility are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Status of these sites is not available online.
There are no showers. No electric, water, or sewer hook-ups are available.
All tents must be placed on prepared pads where provided.
Only one tent is allowed per site unless there is adequate space on the provided tent pad. Sites are for use by parties not to exceed six people unless specifically designated as Group Camping.
Hammock camping is permitted, but campers must abide by posted regulations.
Vehicles are to be parked on the pavement of an assigned site or in designated parking areas. A maximum of two vehicles may be parked in each site (i.e. trailer and car, two cars, two motorcycles). Most sites are limited to only one vehicle.
Generator use is prohibited from 9:00 pm to 8:00 am.
CAUTION: Bears frequent the area. Be aware. Keep a clean camp and store all food or scented items in your car or provided food lockers. DO NOT HANG TRASH FROM THE LANTERN POST.

Natural Features

Three mountain peaks sitting atop a thick blanket of forest make up the Peaks of Otter-- a recreational oasis spanning acre upon acre of rolling landscape along the famous Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic byway that follows the high crests of the central and southern Appalachians for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Nearby Attractions

The Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant are located within walking distance of the campground, as is the Sharp Top Country Store. Restaurant dining, grab-and-go meals, snacks, souvenir items, camping supplies, firewood, and ice are all readily available to campground patrons.

The Johnson Farm, an old mountain farmstead restored and preserved to look as it did in the mid-1800s, is just a short walk away. Another restored historic structure, Aunt Polly's Ordinary, sits on the northeastern shore of Abbott Lake.

Recreation

The 24-acre Abbott Lake is one of the biggest attractions the Peaks of Otter Park has to offer. The lake is well-stocked with small mouth bass and bluegill. A crystal-clear mountain stream winds through the nearby picnic area.

Numerous hiking opportunities range from demanding, scaling the area's high mountain peaks, to the moderate short, flat trail around Abbott Lake. Hikers are likely to stumble upon one of the mountain meadows, filled with wildflowers and migrating butterflies in the spring and a fantastic assortment of colors in the fall.

Abundant wildlife like deer and wild turkey are spotted daily at the Peaks of Otter Campground, and many rare species of birds reside or migrate along the mountain ranges. Summer interpretive programs are provided for visitors to learn about the wildlife as well as the history of the area.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

c/o Revenue and Fee Business Specialist Blue Ridge Parkway 199 Hemphill Knob Road Asheville NC 28803

Physical Address

Milepost 85.9 Blue Ridge Parkway

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 540-586-7321 (MAY - OCTOBER)

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Roanoke, Virginia, take the Blue Ridge Parkway north for 26 miles to Milepost 86.

From Bedford, Virginia, follow Route 43 to Blue Ridge Parkway; the campground is on the left before reaching the Parkway.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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